Patriots deal Brandin Cooks to Los Angeles Rams

If the New York Giants are going to trade wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., it looks like they will have to find a taker other than the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams, thought to be the leading suitor for Beckham, today acquired Brandin Cooks from the New England Patriots. NFL Insider Adam Schefter was first to report the news that the Rams would get Cooks and a fourth-round pick from New England in exchange for first- and fourth-round picks. The first-round pick is 23rd overall.

The Patriots acquired Cooks from the New Orleans Saints prior to last season, and he caught 65 passes for 1,082 yards (16.6 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns. Cooks, a four-year veteran, caught a career-high 84 passes with the Saints in 2015.

If the Giants are going to deal Beckham, this establishes the market at a price much higher than a first- and fourth-round pick. Probably something much more in line with the pair of first-round picks the Giants have been said to be seeking from teams inquiring about Beckham’s availability.

New England, incidentally, now has a pair of draft picks in each of the first two rounds. Did the Patriots just put themselves in position to either a) make a bid for Beckham or b) with four picks in the first two rounds, make a bid to get the No. 2 overall pick from the Giants?