Brandin Cooks trade is good news for the Patriots’ WR search

As the Patriots reportedly continue inquiring about signing or trading for top-name receivers, a trade on Sunday morning may have inadvertently benefitted their search.

Several NFL insiders broke the news this weekend that Brandin Cooks would be traded for the fourth time in his career, this time from the Texans to the Cowboys. It wasn’t a shocking move, as Cooks had been rumored as a potential trade candidate, and Dallas has been looking to add more playmakers to their offense. But the biggest takeaway from the trade was its impact on the trade market directly benefitting the Patriots.

Firstly, the Cowboys have been involved in talks with a handful of receivers over the last few weeks; whether by trade or signing, Dallas was reportedly looking to bolster their offense for Dak Prescott.

A few teams, including Dallas, had been named as inquirers of Jerry Jeudy last season near the trade deadline. Although a deal did not get done, Dallas continued their efforts this week, having called the Broncos regarding Jeudy’s status.

Because the receiver wasn’t dealt last October, it was believed their asking price was too high. And now that even more teams have been expressing interest in Jeudy to no avail, it appears Denver has not budged in what they’re hoping to receive in return, which is likely what led to the Cowboys moving on for Cooks.

Since the Patriots have also been making the calls to Denver for Jeudy, Dallas’ decision to trade for Cooks keeps that opportunity open for New England.

The Cowboys were also interested in Odell Beckham Jr., who they wined and dined in an attempt to convince him to sign with the team in December. Those efforts continued recently, but their courting apparently didn’t impress the receiver.

This, in turn, benefits the Patriots, too, because they have shown interest in Beckham Jr. recently as they attended his workout nearly two weeks ago in Arizona. Although that might sound promising, the current hold-up for any team to sign him is rumored to be what he hopes to get in a contract, something Bill Belichick is not known to overpay for.

That leaves DeAndre Hopkins.

Although the Cowboys never publicly shared their interest in trading for him, Hopkins had made it known he would like to be traded there. Fortunately for the Patriots, that is not in the cards anymore.

But there’s even more that makes Cooks’ trade good news for the Patriots; what the Cowboys gave up to acquire him.

The trade impacts a potential Hopkins trade the most, considering his similarities with Cooks. Most have assumed that Arizona would get at least a second-rounder for the talented receiver, maybe even more to sweeten the deal.  But Cooks’ value being shown as a fifth-round pick may have just lowered their chances of getting anything higher than a third-rounder.

Field Yates detailed how the deal could change what the Cardinals will be offered or even receive for the five-time Pro Bowler, something they will probably not be too thrilled about.

Now that Mike McCarthy has added a dynamic receiver to play alongside CeeDee Lamb, it is presumed they will not be making any further trades for a receiver. If this is the domino that needs to fall for the Patriots to get closer to signing one of these top receivers, then this could be a great week for fans in New England.