LA Rams weigh 5 trading partners for WR Brandin Cooks

Salary cap and trade value

But that salary cap hit does NOT transfer in its entirety to the new team.  So before the comments section fills up with “Nobody will give up THAT much for an overpaid receiver”, let me explain a bit further. The team accepting the player is on the hook for the player salary. But the team which paid out any bonuses is still on the hook for those bonuses.

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In the scenario of WR Brandin Cooks, his 2020 salary cap hit of $16,800,000 will be made up of prorated signing , option and roster bonuses plus a base salary of $8,000,000.  If the team trades Cooks on the current contract conditions, the team sheds the $8,000,000 base salary.  But all paid out bonuses come due now.  That means the Rams are STILL on the hook for $17,800,000, a net hit of $1 Million.

Of course, the team getting Cooks will only be on the hook for his $8 million in 2020, $12 million in 2021 and 2022, and $12.5 million in 2023.   In terms of NFL Trade value, Cooks is still a high end receiver at a modest price.

Yes, Cooks has a history of violent concussions, and some teams will certainly take that into consideration. But if the team fears that history, they likely will not hold the discussion on the possibility of trading for him.  We believe some teams will weigh the matter in the favor of reward. A potential 1,000 yard receiver who immediately stretches the field, helps the running game, and helps lead a team young receivers until they grow into their NFL roles.

So what’s in it for the LA Rams?  They shed a bad contract, eat just $1 million more in 2020 salary cap, and should pick up a day two pick in the process.  Of course, the team can restructure the contract, pushing down the current cap hit, and pushing much more into future months.  That will most certainly lower any return on his trade we estimate here.