LA Rams weigh 5 trading partners for WR Brandin Cooks

Washington Redskins

So far, reports have linked potential Washington Redskin free agents to the Los Angeles Rams. But the road runs two ways. Wouldn’t the Rams tap new offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell to see if the Redskins have interest in a veteran wide receiver?  Unless my sources are wrong, the Redskins would jump at the chance to get an inside scoop on a potential free agent target.

The Redskins, for better or worse, are now obligated to surround second year quarterback Dwayne Haskins with better weapons. While the team will leave the door open for veteran quarterback Alex Smith, the team drafted Haskins to take over the team.

As one of the worst teams in the 2019 season, the Redskins are now blessed with one of the highest value set of picks from the 2020 NFL Draft. The Redskins too have a new head coach in Ron Rivera, and new offensive coordinator in Scott Turner. Turner has a knack of getting the most out of offensive players.  In that vein, a reclamation project at the wide receiver position would make great sense, particularly for a veteran who has just come off one down year.,

The Redskins desperately need help at receivers. They landed an excellent rookie wide receiver in 6-foot-0 Terry McLaurin. But he accounted for more yards receiving than the next three receivers for the team in 2019.

The Redskins have the second pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and can land a star prospect, or trade pack for multiple picks.  Giving up a 3rd and 5th for a potential 1,000 yard receiver for the new coaching staff , if it pans out, will be looked back as a steal.

In the end, some LA Rams fans may wish to keep Brandin Cooks on the roster in 2020. To be honest, the LA Rams may very well do just that.  But the Rams need picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, and they truly need to shed the bad contracts executed during their post Super Bowl jubilation.

No trade happens without two teams willing to risk walking away with less value by believing that they are getting more value in any deal.  Teams trading for Cooks must believe that he can put up better numbers in 2020, while avoiding any further injury or concussions.  The LA Rams must believe that Cooks’ contract places them at a non-competitive disadvantage going forward, and the likelihood of his return this season as a thousand yard receiver are significantly less going forward.

There are teams who do believe that in the NFL today. The Rams simply need to reach an understanding with them.