Trades are relatively rare in the NFL (excluding draft night), except if you’re the New England Patriots. They make a lot of them. Earlier this month, the Patriots traded away their first round pick, # 32 overall and their 3rd round pick (#103) to the Saints, in exchange for wideout Brandin Cooks and the Saint’s 4th round pick (#118). Another classic example of the rich getting richer. Cooks, still only 23 years old, is better than anyone the Patriots would’ve taken with 32nd pick of draft. Oh, there is still a chance the Patriots get that pick back if the Saints agree to sign Malcolm Butler. This was an obvious win for the Patriots in real-life, but where does that leave us in the fantasy world with Brandin Cooks fantasy value?

Not that Tom Brady’s value can get any higher, but it actually is. Brady now has the best wide receiver he’s ever had since Randy Moss. With Cooks, the Pats get a borderline WR1 that can be used inside, outside, deep, short, on sweeps, etc etc. All three of the Patriots top receivers in Cooks, Edelman and Hogan, can each line up anywhere, leaving defenses having a difficult time setting match-ups. Cooks is a very good route runner as well and is hard to cover due to his blazing speed in and out of cuts. The New Orleans Saints never really seemed to utilize Cooks the way he should be. Drew Brees may have found his new #1 target in Michael Thomas, but no doubt this move hampers his fantasy value a bit. No, he’s still a QB1 and should be drafted as such, but your expectations can’t be blinded by the fact the he lost a very big weapon in that offense.

Brandin Cooks was traded to the Patriots. His value should remain the same

What is Brandin Cooks fantasy value in NE?
(Photo: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports)

As far as Cooks goes….Well, I don’t think his fantasy value changes much with the move. Perhaps not exactly the “Hot Take” you were looking for. I know it’s early and probably way too soon to start talking about rankings, but I had Cooks ranked as the #11 WR before the trade, and he’s still in the same spot now. The Patriots are going to do what they’re going to do regardless of who’s there. They make their system work no matter what. Brady spreads the ball around, and while Cooks was going to be the #2 option in New Orleans, he’s going to be about the same in NE when you factor everyone else that’s there. I’m still drafting Cooks in the late 2nd/early 3rd rounds. Just as I would if he were in New Orleans. Would I be surprised if his value actually takes a bit of a hit? Not at all