The Houston Texans already pulled off one blockbuster involving a wide receiver this offseason, shockingly sending DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for pennies on the dollar.
Houston is now doubling down. According to various media reports, head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien has pulled off another blockbuster. The Texans have acquired former first-round pick Brandin Cooks and a 2022 fourth-round pick from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a second-round pick (57th overall) in this month’s draft.
Cooks, 26, has been on the block for a while. Los Angeles is going into cost-cutting mode as evidenced by the releases of Todd Gurley and Clay Matthews. It acquired a valuable early-round selection for a player who recorded less than 600 yards last season and is currently under contract on a five-year, $81 million contract.
This is a vast overpay for a figure in O’Brien who has been taken behind the woodshed in trades more often than not recently.
The NFL world reacted accordingly.