The New England Patriots currently have two first-round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft after they traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Patriots shipped the 24-year-old Cooks and a 2018 fourth-round pick to the Rams for the 23rd overall pick and a sixth-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. Last season, the Patriots acquired Cooks from the New Orleans Saints for the 32nd overall pick. Cooks played 16 games last season, tallying 65 passes for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns. Cooks will make $8.459 million next season after earning just less than $800,000 last season.
With Cooks out, the Patriots’ depth chart includes Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Malcolm Mitchell, Kenny Britt, Cordarrelle Patterson, Matthew Slater, Riley McCarron and Cody Hollister.
With the trade, the Patriots now own the Nos. 23, 31, 43 and 63 selections in the first two rounds, which they can use to fill their needs, especially at quarterback, tight end, running back, cornerback and safety. According to Jorge Sedeno of ESPN, more teams might be interested in dealing with the Patriots. Also, Sedeno emphasized never to trust head coach Bill Belichick with multiple firsts, saying he’s up to something. With the 23rd and 31st picks, Belichick now has the flexibility to go after a high quarterback prospect by moving up in the Draft or swinging a deal for disgruntled New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Patriots would be unstoppable with Beckham
Nick Wright, host of "First Things First," said that the Patriots are now armed with the right pieces to trade for Beckham, who declared that he will not play this season without a contract extension from the Giants. According to Wright, the Patriots will be a force to be reckoned with if they acquire Beckham and pair him with Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.
“I know, the Pats aren't trading for OBJ. But… that'd be so much fun to see. And Brady's short passing game would be unstoppable,” Wright said in a tweet.
Giants eager to trade Beckham
Schefter told the "Ross Tucker Football Podcast" that the Giants are open to trading Beckham. Schefter described the situation as: “absolutely real...very real." Beckham played just four games last season, catching 25 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns.
Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News said the starting point on a deal for Beckham would be "first round plus.” A three-time Pro Bowler, Beckham has tallied 313 catches for 4,424 yards and 38 touchdowns.
