LA Rams: 3 Trade packages to move WR Brandon Cooks

The LA Rams might deal WR Brandin Cooks to one of these three teams before training camp begins

The LA Rams unceremoniously released Todd Gurley in order to squeeze more salary-cap space into the Rams’ future. It seems that Moneyball has quietly crept into the NFL. Is wide receiver Brandin Cooks the next Rams player to be dealt away, or simply sent packing?

Cooks was drafted 20th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. The Oregon State product played three seasons in New Orleans. He then moved as part of a 2017 trade, where he then played for New England.

Cooks has played 30 games for the LA Rams in two seasons. Over that time, he has caught 122 passes for 1787 yards with seven touchdowns. Despite modest production, Cooks gets a big paycheck.

His salary-cap number is $16.8 million for 2020. As far as the highest-paid Rams’ player? He moves up to the third place, after the release of RB ToddGurley, behind Jared Goff and Aaron Donald. Expect Les Snead to reach out to find a trade partner after June 1st.

Cooks dead cap number would be $4.8 million if he was dealt after June 1st. Would there be any teams willing to deal for him? Are there any WR-starved teams with available cap space?

Perhaps Tampa Bay would like to have Tom Brady reunite with his former receiver from 2017. Tampa has, according to spotrac.com, around $20 million available cap space. Anything can happen and generally does inside the NFL.

Here is the first trade package that allows LA to move Cooks.

Trade Brandon Cooks for Trent Williams

Trent Williams is not happy in Washington. LA needs good linemen. Cooks could find his niche in a Washington Redskin uniform. Here’s how this deal might work.

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Williams cap hit for the Redskins, in 2020, is $14.2 million. His dead cap number is $2 million. There is not much difference between Williams contract and Cooks deal. It looks good so far.

Williams could allow for Andrew Whitworth to move to right tackle or inside to left guard. He would vastly upgrade the Rams roster among offensive linemen. This would allow the young Rams linemen to get another season to prepare for their future roles.

Cooks would become an immediate contributor to the Washington offense. Last season, Terry McLaurin led the team with 58 receptions for 919 yards with seven touchdowns. Cooks would have been the second leading receiver for Washington with 42 receptions for 583 yards and two touchdowns.

This trade would be good for both teams. There could be draft picks involved in the mix especially if LA would like to move up or down. Washington has the second overall pick this year.

There are two other teams that LA could make a deal with. Here is the second trade package that allows LA to move Cooks.

Trade Brandin Cooks for Kalen Ballage

LA needs a good young running back. The Miami Dolphins need a good wide receiver. The Rams might be able to get additional draft picks in this trade.

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The Miami Dolphins have 14 draft selections in this upcoming draft. They have multiple selections in every round except for the 3rd, 4th, and 6th rounds. Most of all, they have three round 1 picks.

Kalen Ballage played collegiately at Arizona State. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 draft by Miami. He stands 6-feet-2 weighing 231 pounds. LA needs a powerful running back.

In his career, Ballage has rushed for 326 yards with four touchdowns. He has caught 23 passes for 119 yards. Obviously, he has needs a fresh new start.

Miami will receive a top wide receiver to pair with Devonte Parker. The Dolphins will draft a quarterback in the first round. Cooks would be a great calming presence inside the huddle for the young quarterback.

In this trade, the LA Rams get Ballage along with a second and fifth-round pick in 2020’s draft. Miami receives Cooks and the Rams compensatory round 3 pick. This appears to be beneficial for both teams to make this move.

Here is the third trade package that allows LA to move Cooks.

Trade Brandon Cooks for Le’Veon Bell

This trade would stir the emotions of most Rams fans. The LA faithful would react very similar as with the new logo design. Most of all, the ensuing drama would put LA in the spotlight throughout the 2020 season.

Le’Veon Bell is a much better option at running back than LA has or would get in the draft. However, Bell is very similar to Jalen Ramsey as he speaks his mind without regret. Could those two coexist on the Rams roster?

Cooks would give the New York Jets another receiving threat. Jets quarterback Sam Darnold needs another receiver to partner with Jamison Crowder. Most importantly, the Jets have more salary-cap space than any other NFL team.

Bell’s salary cap number is around $16 million this season. Don’t forget, Cooks cap number is $16.8 million. There is not much difference in those numbers.

Bell becomes a free agent in 2023. Cooks becomes a free agent in 2024. Those numbers are nearly the same as well.

This trade is another win for both teams. Bell would make up for the loss of Gurley. Cooks adds value to the Jets aerial assault.

It would be interesting to see how this trade would impact both teams in 2020. Stay tuned to see how things play out heading towards the draft.