Patriots’ ideal offseason trade from Bleacher Report involves WR reunion

At the moment, wide receiver Brandin Cooks appears to be a key part of the Davis Mills-led Houston Texans offense.

But things can change in a millisecond, especially for an organization that only looks somewhat settled from a bird’s-eye view.

Meanwhile, there are the Patriots over in New England, where Mac Jones faces a significant test in Year 2 without the offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, who led him to such great heights in his debut season.

In essence, entering Jones’ second year without a WR1 upgrade would be a miscalculation, and Bill Belichick hitting on a wideout in the draft would be an unexpected outcome, to say the least. So why not hit the trade market? And, when doing so, why not target a familiar face who’s continued to grow and develop outside your system?

That’s why Bleacher Report’s “Ideal” offseason trade for the Patriots is a Brandin Cooks swap, and we’re inclined to agree, as long as he’s available.

Could Patriots dip back into Brandin Cooks trade waters?

Does Belichick have any sort of working relationship with Jack Easterby and Nick Caserio? Have the two camps met before? If not, this might be a fine time for introductions!

We understand the trepidation from the New England side here. After all, the perception is that Cooks couldn’t get Tom Brady over the top during his time in Foxborough, and aided in the team coming up short in Super Bowl LII by taking a risky leap and getting catastrophically injured, drilled to the turf by the Eagles secondary.

Don’t let that symbolic gesture define his tenure, though. Cooks posted 1,082 yards that season (9.5 yards/target), and could be just the field-stretcher Jones requires, giving Hunter Henry and Jakobi Meyers room to roam underneath.

Plus, here’s something that sounds impossible, but is actually true. Significantly true!

Younger by three full months! Sept. 25 vs. June 15. Wild.

Also ideal? Cooks is an extension candidate, with a $7.5 million dead cap hit lingering on the Texans’ books.

According to every quote dropped prior to his departure, Cooks enjoyed the environment in New England, which hasn’t changed much with No. 10 under center — yet.

The speedy Houston wideout could be a big part of importing the right culture in the wake of McDaniels’ departure, as long as the familiar braintrust in Texas decides to pull the trigger.

Cap insider predicts Patriots will make these 3 offseason moves

Miguel Benzan said the New England Patriots should convert Matt Judon's salary and extend both Hunter Henry and Jake Bailey.