On Tuesday, the Patriots reportedly traded Brandin Cooks and a fourth-round pick to the Rams in exchange a first-round pick (No. 23 overall) and a sixth-round pick.
While it was a bit surprising, the team got great value for a player who was going to be a free agent after the 2018 season and the Patriots weren't likely going to be able to re-sign him (just look at the crazy money receivers got this offseason).
So, where does this leave the Patriots at the receiver position for next season?
As of now, the team has Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Cordarrelle Patterson, Malcolm Mitchell, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, Matthew Slater, Riley McCarron and Cody Hollister. After the Patriots traded for Patterson a few weeks ago, it seemed a trade of Cooks was at least a possibility because how many strictly speedsters can a team have?
Without Cooks, it doesn't necessarily mean the team needs to seek another top wide out, either. The returns of Edelman and Mitchell will help in a big way and Britt and Dorsett having the entire offseason in the system will help as well. It also opens the door for the Patriots to draft a wide receiver high in the draft. It is pretty old at the position and now there's a spot on the roster to be able to carry a young wide out.
The trade also should end any speculation the organization will be trading Rob Gronkowski, which ESPN's Adam Schefter noted. The offense could not afford to lose that many weapons in one offseason -- don't forget about Dion Lewis and Nate Solder. It also says Bill Belichick has a good idea Gronkowski will be back in 2018.
After the trade, the Patriots now have four selections in the first two rounds (two in each) -- Nos. 23, 31, 43 and 63 overall. This gives Belichick plenty of options in the draft.
If there's a player he likes anywhere on the board he now has the ability to be able to trade up. He can also keep the picks as they are and select four quality players. Many will connect the dots and speculate he has his eye on a quarterback, but that isn't necessarily the case as the team has a bunch of other needs, especially on defense. They could still get their quarterback in the middle rounds.
Regardless, the draft will be a lot more interesting later this month.
Also, the trade frees up a good chunk of cap space and the team now has over $14 million to work with. Perhaps Gronkowski could be getting his deal re-worked again? It's certainly possible.
In sum, this was a great value deal for the Patriots. They basically got a first-round pick in exchange for Cooks, who was only going to be in New England for one more season.
It's now up to Belichick to use the assets he has (four picks in the first two rounds) towards making the 2018 team the best it can be.
