LA Rams weigh 5 trading partners for WR Brandin Cooks

Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders are heading to a new stadium and a new NFL city.  Big events mandate a team make a “big splash”.  The Raiders attempted to create that fever by signing former NFL.com analyst Mike Mayock as the teams general manager.  The team then executed a shocking trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for wide receiver Antonio Brown.

That trade failed miserably.

The Raiders are no doubt back in the hunt for a veteran wide receiver who can put up 1,000 yards. He need not be a long-term contract, as the Raiders have plenty of draft picks for the 2020 NFL Draft, and this draft is particularly full of NFL caliber talent.

In an interview with Review Journal, Mayock admitted to needing a playmaker WR out of free agency, and that the Raiders are very open-minded to trading to find one. I truly admire Mike Mayock’s approach and perspective.

The Raiders need to make a PR splash, and WR Brandin Cooks will certain energize the fan base.  He immediately becomes a deep ball threat, which helps the team’s running game and tight end focused passing game. But even more important than the value of exchanged picks and player in a trade, the Raiders will spark talk of post season with enough of the right off-season moves.

Mayock is no fan of prestidigitation. But he will recognize Cooks’ upside and negotiate a solid deal. for the value of a late 2nd round pick, the Raiders land an economical WR in Brandin Cooks.

In the end, the LA Rams swallow a wee bit extra salary cap hit in 2020 for a clearer cap path in the future, plus two added picks in round 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft.