King explained his opinion on Monday's 94WIP Marks & Reese show with Jon Marks and Ike Reese.
"At the scouting combine I've keep hearing all of these rumors about Brandin Cooks because the Rams, obviously, are pretty snug up against the salary cap," King said. "Through the last couple of weeks really, I think there's a lot of people around the league who think the Rams are going to take a bargain basement discount deal for Brandin Cooks."
King said he believes the Rams are seeking something around the 75th overall pick or better, but the Eagles would be unlikely to trade a third-round pick or better for Cooks in a deep receiver draft.
"And I think the Rams' point is, 'OK, if you got a great offer come at us.' This is a guy who three times in his life has been valued as a first round value," King said. "As I wrote in my column, how many people in NFL history ever have been drafted in the first round and then twice traded for a first round pick? And I'm not saying the Eagles are going to have to give the 21st overall pick for Brandin Cooks. Obviously, they're not. I certainly don't think in a draft that is chalk full of wide receivers, that Howie Roseman would give the 53rd pick in the draft. But I think the Rams would have to do better than the---I don't even know if they discussed anything legitimately. But I know Howie, nobody, nobody works the draft better than Howie Roseman.
"If I had to guess, I think if Howie could get away with giving a four for him, than he'd probably have a lot of interest. I think the Eagles have two threes, and I don't think they'd even give one of those.
"I'd say the Rams definitely would listen and I would also say if the offer is not better than, let's just say, the 75th pick in the draft or something like that, I think the Rams will probably just hang on to him and gut it out and wait for a better cap situation in 2021."
Cooks, a 5'10", 26-year-old WR, comes with some pros and cons, like any other. Cooks has played for three teams in six NFL seasons so far, after being the 20th overall pick in 2014 of the Saints. After four straight 1,000 yard seasons, Cooks dealt with multiple concussions last year, something that has been a serious issue.
If healthy, Cooks can fly. He posted a 4.33 40-yard dash during his NFL combine, albeit in 2014.
Contractually, Cooks has a base salary of $8 million, $12 million, $13 million, and $14 million over the next four seasons with cap hits around $17 million in each season. However, beginning in 2021, Cooks' dead cap number if released becomes less than his cap hit, opening the door for a potential restructuring (or flat out release) for whichever team he is playing for.