Could the Houston Texans trade former Oregon State star Brandin Cooks in 2021?
Brandin Cooks said after the 2020 season that hes not going to accept any more trades. However, there has been some speculation that Cooks could be placed on the trading block once again. The Houston Texans and former Oregon State star receiver has been traded three times in the past four seasons and his first year with the Texans was his fifth team in his seven years in the NFL. Cooks said in January that hes tired of being moved around the league. As far as a team thinking they could trade me for draft capital, I would caution them to think twice, because quite frankly, Im not going to accept any more trades, Cooks told reporters. And so, for me, if you want me off your team, youve just got to let me walk and choose my destination.  Cooks, a first-round pick (No. 20) by the New Orleans Saints in the 2014 NFL draft, was traded to the New England Patriots in 2017. He spent one season in New England before he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2018. Cooks packed his bags again after the Rams traded him to the Texans in 2020. Now, one website is speculating the Texans could trade Cooks. The Texans could be entering a rebuild mode, particularly if quarterback Deshaun Watson forces the team to trade him or he continues to be sidelined by his legal issues throughout the 2021 season. If Watson doesnt play for the Texans, they could decide to enter Phase 1 of a rebuilding project. Rebuilding usually means shedding veterans with large contracts. Cooks carries a $5.6 million cap hit in 2021 and $15.5 million hit in 2022, the final two years of the five-year, $81 million contract he signed while with the Rams. Houston can save $3.1 million this season, plus $13.7 million next year, by trading or cutting Cooks before the start of the 2021 campaign...Considering the teams current turmoil and turnover, coupled with Cooks production and age (27), something could get done with an asset coming back in return. Everyone understands the current iteration of the Texans is not how the team will look a year from now. -- Bleacher Report  Cooks has been productive during his career, posting at least 1,000 receiving years in five seasons and he averaged 14.2 yards a catch during his career. He has appeared in at least 14 games in five consecutive seasons. -- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold