Cooks and pick traded to the Rams for picks

[Brand Name]

Damn, that's really good on the return. I'm guessing it's the comp 4th and not our actual 4th but still.

Yeah, it has to be, given the Rowe deal. He played less than 50% of defensive snaps in either 2016 or 17 rendering it our 4th rather than 3rd; Philly then traded it in the Ajayi deal. I like this for the shrewdness of trading the 1st, getting a guy like this for a year, then getting a first back for a guy that you traded first for. I am curious to see which Rams pick they get though: The Ogletree 176, Greg Robinson's 194, the Jordan Matthews/Watkins 195, Peters 196, or LA's own, at 198?

Like it for LA's side of things too, in the short term, but where does this leave Kupp? Slot? Cooks/Woods outside works but man Austin's contract is an albatross as it is, let alone his dead cap hits. Still puts the Rams at only 22nd in the NFL in WR spending, at a smidge over $16.7M, or 10.13% of the cap.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

You have to love their willingness to do shit like this.

I liked Cooks but that’s a good deal for a team that had a first rounder stolen from them, traded another and missed on another. This team needs an infusion of young talent, Cooks was going to need to get paid, and I’m not sure that he was going to be worth the contract that someone is going to give him.

 

[Cellar-Door]

As a wide receiver might make sense. But actually what I think the does is that it lets Bill trade out of 31 for other picks and still get a first round pick.

No, that would make zero sense, he's a QB and a good one, he's never played WR and you don't burn the 23rd pick of the first round to take a good QB who has no intention of playing WR and making him one.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

You have to love their willingness to do shit like this.

I liked Cooks but that’s a good deal for a team that had a first rounder stolen from them, traded another and missed on another. This team needs an infusion of young talent, Cooks was going to need to get paid, and I’m not sure that he was going to be worth the contract that someone is going to give him.

Cooks is a good player but is a luxury not a necessity at the contract he'll command.

I'm concerned about the age of our WR, but I think they have the right idea in terms of allocating resources based on what we saw in the Cooks Trial Run, the need for talent infusions elsewhere, and what he'll cost.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Just got a text about the Patriots and interest in Josh Rosen... whew.

 

[RetractableRoof]

All because he wouldn't go and catch footballs in the off season with TB12. I kid, I kid.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Umm, how the hell would they get to 2, even with 23 and 31?

 

[bsj]

Umm, how the hell would they get to 2, even with 23 and 31?

Gronk?

 

[BaseballJones]

The above list reflect the 2018 comp picks, which can now be traded. This year's FAs should generate 2019 comp picks.

Oh yes, forgot about the year delay on that.

 

[dcmissle]

Just got a text about the Patriots and interest in Josh Rosen... whew.

Buckle up for 3 weeks of madness.

 

[sodenj5]

Based on the Jimmy Johnson draft value chart, the Pats two firsts are worth roughly around the 9th pick in the draft. If they’re actually interested in a QB, they likely have to now compete with Buffalo to trade up to #4 with Cleveland.

Two first and the #43 pick in the second round puts them right around the #4 overall pick in value.

Trading up to #2 overall would likely involve a first or second rounder in addition to the two firsts and second rounder in 2018.

 

[soxhop411]

[

Just got a text about the Patriots and interest in Josh Rosen... whew.

This might be the most interesting draft in years.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Umm, how the hell would they get to 2, even with 23 and 31?

Bill is more likely to trade both firsts for multiple 2nds 3rds and 4ths throughout the night than trade up for Rosen.

 

[5dice]

Gitcha popcorn

 

[tims4wins]

The 2018 draft was already going to be their most important since probably 2012 and got even more important with this move. The next 10 years may rest on this draft

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

Or more simply, #23 could enable Pats to get a more qualified player at a position of need than they think they'll see at #31. Like Vander Esch or Kolton Miller.

Then trade #31 for a 2019 first and a 2018 3rd or something and start that merry-go-round back up again.

Edit: Calendars are hard

 

[Reggie's Racquet]

Or more simply, #23 could enable Pats to get a more qualified player at a position of need than they think they'll see at #31. Like Vander Esch or Kolton Miller.

Then trade #31 for a 2018 first and a 2017 3rd or something and start that merry-go-round back up again.

Run that by me again?

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

This might be the most interesting draft in years.

Plenty of holes to fill at offensive line, LB, WR, CB, back up qb... hell, their safeties are getting long in the tooth, too. I sense a bulk of 2nd - 4th rounders coming our way the next 3 years. These picks - or at least 1 - will be traded on draft day.

 

[bankshot1]

I wonder if "we" did not properly account for the Patterson trade.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Plenty of holes to fill at offensive line, LB, WR, CB, back up qb... hell, their safeties are getting long in the tooth, too. I sense a bulk of 2nd - 4th rounders coming our way the next 3 years. These picks - or at least 1 - will be traded on draft day.

Yeah I can certainly see them trading #23 for multiple 2nd-4th rd picks. To have 3-4 picks in the 2nd round would be a decent play. Lots of 1st round talent type of guys in the 2nd that can come in and play right away.

 

[Greekca]

This seems pretty simple to me.

1. Cooks was a top 15ish receiver that was going to be paid like a top 5 guy next year. WR is not a position that Belichick has ever felt the need to allocate serious salary cap resources to.

2. The value proposition was pretty good. Get better value than you gave up last year for a guy who now costs $7mm more than he did last year and is 1 year closer to a giant payday.

3. Large need at a premium position (LT) that usually requires a top 25 pick to draft a talent capable of starting. Maybe you get lucky and some other guy you really like falls and you scoop him up, otherwise you shoot for a premium LT.

I would much rather have a premium player at LT than at WR.

 

[DJnVa]

Run that by me again?

They use #23 to draft someone that might not have been there at #31 an then deal #31 to move back and pick up an extra pick next year.

 

[DJnVa]

How high could they move in 2 separate deal--each #1 paired with a #2

 

[E5 Yaz]

Then trade #31 for a 2018 first and a 2017 3rd or something and start that merry-go-round back up again.

I like ... rev up the DeLorean

 

[The Mort Report]

Why on earth would they turn around now and trade for ODB? Sure he is better than Cooks but brings a bunch of nonsense with him and he wants to get paid $20 million a year. The Pats never pay top price for players at their position, so they aren't trading 2 firsts for the right to pay ODB with how many holes this team has on defense/LT

 

[Reardon's Beard]

The Ultimate Belichickian move would be draft QB high to pressure Brady even more than JG ever did. Holy smokes this is going to be wild.

 

[BigSoxFan]

The Ultimate Belichickian move would be draft QB high to pressure Brady even more than JG ever did. Holy smokes this is going to be wild.

Why exactly does Brady need to be pressured? Brady turns 41 this summer. A replacement needs to be found in the next couple of years and Belichick knows this.

 

[Super Nomario]

This seems pretty simple to me.

1. Cooks was a top 15ish receiver that was going to be paid like a top 5 guy next year. WR is not a position that Belichick has ever felt the need to allocate serious salary cap resources to.

2. The value proposition was pretty good. Get better value than you gave up last year for a guy who now costs $7mm more than he did last year and is 1 year closer to a giant payday.

3. Large need at a premium position (LT) that usually requires a top 25 pick to draft a talent capable of starting. Maybe you get lucky and some other guy you really like falls and you scoop him up, otherwise you shoot for a premium LT.

I agree with all of this. They just got the most valuable year of Cooks' career, because from hereon out he's going to paid market(ish). I didn't understand trading a first for him, but turning around and getting a first is a coup and lets them address positions like LT or edge or DT that are tough to get at 31.

 

[Byrdbrain]

The worst part of this trade will be the Volin gloating.
Of course he thought they’d cut him and instead they got a first round pick for him.

 

[edmunddantes]

Why on earth would they turn around now and trade for ODB? Sure he is better than Cooks but brings a bunch of nonsense with him and he wants to get paid $20 million a year. The Pats never pay top price for players at their position, so they aren't trading 2 firsts for the right to pay ODB with how many holes this team has on defense/LT

The Pats do pay top dollar, but only when it really makes sense. Someone has the list around here.

People need to stop with this fiction.

 

[DourDoerr]

The last time the Pats had two 1st rounders was in 2012 and they picked Chandler Jones at 21 and Donte Hightower at 25. Probably means little to nothing, but thought it deserved mention given the needs on defense. Might put them in a great spot to get a LT though.

 

[dcmissle]

The Ultimate Belichickian move would be draft QB high to pressure Brady even more than JG ever did. Holy smokes this is going to be wild.

Writing checks none of the current crop could possibly cover.

 

[tims4wins]

Yeah they need a repeat of 2012

 

[Super Nomario]

The Pats do pay top dollar, but only when it really makes sense. Someone has the list around here.

People need to stop with this fiction.

They pay top dollar at some positions, but not for WR. Which isn't to say they don't spend on WR; they just usually prefer to disperse the money among a few guys rather than pay a lot for one guy. Arguably the only time they made an exception was 2009, and that was a top-heavy WR corps that was lousy outside of Moss and Welker.

 

[The Mort Report]

The Pats do pay top dollar, but only when it really makes sense. Someone has the list around here.

People need to stop with this fiction.

Just because there is a list of a few players in the last 15 years does not make the statement fiction. The team utilizes its cap space better than most to put the best team on the field, and most often that does not include paying players top dollar to tie up large portions of the cap.

And I'll make the point right at ODB. The contract he will command to resign him will not be a good use of the team's cap space and BB would never commit that much to him, let alone trading multiple high picks for him as well

 

[djbayko]

Based on the Jimmy Johnson draft value chart, the Pats two firsts are worth roughly around the 9th pick in the draft. If they’re actually interested in a QB, they likely have to now compete with Buffalo to trade up to #4 with Cleveland.

Two first and the #43 pick in the second round puts them right around the #4 overall pick in value.

Trading up to #2 overall would likely involve a first or second rounder in addition to the two firsts and second rounder in 2018.

Good strict analysis, but this all seems very anti-Belichickian. He's going to continue to look for value with these picks - either through trades or using them as is. He won't be putting all his eggs in one basket.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

I agree with all of this. They just got the most valuable year of Cooks' career, because from hereon out he's going to paid market(ish). I didn't understand trading a first for him, but turning around and getting a first is a coup and lets them address positions like LT or edge or DT that are tough to get at 31.

Yup, fully agreed. I wouldn't assume there is another trade shoe to drop or that this is about angling for a QB. Its a great trade from a value perspective for a team with a number of needs. It makes sense on its own terms.

 

[54thMA]

I hope they made this trade in part because are getting good reports on Mitchell's knee; even if they aren't, I'm fine with this trade, use the two #1's to fill needs, specifically on defense.

 

[ifmanis5]

I'm excited for Mitchell, I think he's the whole package. If he's healthy he'll be fantastic.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

can they get a quality tackle / D-line man at #23 if they keep the pick?

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

can they get a quality tackle / D-line man at #23 if they keep the pick?

Potentially yes. But then again, maybe not.

 

[staz]

Cooks’ raw speed, ability to find daylight when doubled and toe tapping prowess (including a game-winner) will be missed - and I agree with the upthread comment that this was foreshadowed by the Patterson acquisition.

Yeah, Hoyer’s going to trade his helmet for a clipboard and the clock is officially ticking on the league’s MVP: 2 years, tops.

 

[ehaz]

can they get a quality tackle / D-line man at #23 if they keep the pick?

There’s an outside chance Da’ron Payne falls to 23. Connor Williams and/or McGlinchey should be there on the OL side

 

[CaptainLaddie]

I will give my left nut for OBJ. I love him so much.

 

[Reardon's Beard]

Why exactly does Brady need to be pressured? Brady turns 41 this summer. A replacement needs to be found in the next couple of years and Belichick knows this.

I'd put all sorts of pressure on him at every opportunity. Competition made this guy who he is and what drives him to greatness. That's why.

 

[Curt S Loew]

I will give my left nut for OBJ. I love him so much.

Better than betting your life, I guess.

 

[E5 Yaz]

I will give my left nut for OBJ. I love him so much.

If it happens, we'll chip in and get you an honorary ball sack

 

[InstaFace]

Love this trade. We got 110 cents on the dollar for Cooks, given that he will cost $8.5M in 2018 (up from $1.6 against the cap last year), and is a UFA after that. Maybe 120 cents on the dollar. #23 is a better pick than we've had in a while.

 

[biff_hardbody]

Cooks got more than Garoppolo. Well done indeed.

 

[Ferm Sheller]

I will give my left nut for OBJ. I love him so much.

I’d give your nut too, but have to think that the Giants would balk at that deal.