The Los Angeles Rams enter a 2025 season in which they’ll be seen as a top contender. As they enter a Super Bowl window, it would not be surprising to see general manager Les Snead make a move to capitalize one more time with quarterback Matthew Stafford under center.

Since joining the Rams in 2012, Snead has been one of the more aggressive general managers in the NFL. That was especially the case during the “F Them Picks” era in which the Rams gave up draft capital for star players. While the Rams didn’t win a Super Bowl with wide receiver Brandin Cooks, he was a player that defined this era.

It has been over five years since the Rams made the trade for Cooks. A former first-round pick, Cooks had been traded from the New Orleans Saints to the New England Patriots before the 2017 season. After losing in the Super Bowl and with Cooks in need of a new contract, the wide receiver was traded to the Rams.

With head coach Sean McVay taking the NFL by storm with 11 personnel, there was a need for three wide receivers who could threaten defenses consistently. While Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp could win from the slot, they needed a player who would could win on the outside and stretch the field.

The Rams tried this in 2017 with Sammy Watkins. However, Watkins wasn’t a fit in the offense, recording just 593 yards receiving on 39 receptions. The Rams moved on from Watkins after the season and with Cooks available, McVay and Snead saw an opportunity.

Brandin Cooks 2018 trade results

Rams Receive: WR Brandin Cooks, 2018 Fourth-Round Pick
Patriots Receive: 2018 First-Round Pick, 2018 Sixth-Round Pick

Why did the Rams trade for Brandin Cooks in 2018?

Due to Cooks’ smaller frame, there were always concerns about how he would hold up with the physicality of the NFL. During Super Bowl 52, Cooks took a massive hit from safety Malcolm Jenkins and was ruled out for the rest of the game with a head injury. With Cooks in need of a new contract and the uncertainty of how he would recover, the Patriots opted to move on.

Wanting to surround their young quarterback in Jared Goff with as much talent as possible, the Rams took the gamble on Cooks. While they gave up a first-round pick in the process, he was a much better route runner than Watkins, had proven production, and could complement both Woods and Kupp as he had the ability to stretch the field.

With cap space, the Rams immediately signed Cooks to a five-year, $81 million extension. Cooks finished the season with 80 receptions and over 1,200 yards. His 1,204 yards were a career-high. During the playoffs, he was the Rams leading receiver in the 2018 NFC Championship game against the Saints. Cooks was also the leading receiver in the Super Bowl. Had Goff seen Cooks wide open in the middle of the field, he may have scored the touchdown to change the game.

This should’ve been an easy Goff-Cooks TD. When Cooks is open on the left hash, Jason McCourty is outside the right numbers. This pass breakup is unreal.

Belichick said after the game: “Oh my god. McCourty came out of nowhere to make that play.”pic.twitter.com/n6jBzBC4rz

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 4, 2019

Cooks dealt with concussions in 2019 and after having just 583 yards, he was traded to the Houston Texans after the season. The Rams used the picks acquired in the trade to select Van Jefferson.

Who did the Patriots draft with the pick from Brandin Cooks trade?

With the first-round pick that the Patriots acquired in the Cooks trade, they drafted offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn. Wynn spent five years with the Patriots, but dealt with injuries and eventually left for the Miami Dolphins in 2023. After trading away pick 198 from the Rams, the Patriots ended up with cornerback Keion Crossen, tight end Ryan Izzo, and defensive tackle Byron Cowart.

Who did the Rams draft with the pick from the Brandin Cooks trade?

A forgotten piece of the Cooks trade was the fourth-round pick that the Rams also acquired. While they traded down from the original selection, they selected linebacker Micah Kiser, edge rusher Trevon Young, and linebacker Travin Howard. Howard would end up having the interception that would secure the 2021 NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers.

Who won the Brandin Cooks trade?

It’s hard to say what team won the trade. It wasn’t necessarily a lose-lose, but neither team won the trade. Wynn, who was selected with the Rams’ first-round pick, wasn’t an impact player. While Cooks helped the Rams make a Super Bowl, he was traded away two years after signing a five-year extension.

If there is something for the Rams to learn it would be to be more careful with the contract side of things and to put more weight in a player’s injury history. Cooks signed an extension with the Rams before ever playing a down for the team. He was at least able to have one productive season, but more should be expected when a team signs a player to a five-year deal.

A reason for the Patriots moving on from Cooks was the hit that he took in the Super Bowl. There was always a worry that he may deal with concussions throughout his career. This also led to Cooks eventually being traded away from the Rams as he dealt with concussions in 2019.

The Rams haven’t traded for a wide receiver of Cooks’ caliber since making the move in 2018. However, they have signed two wide receivers in Allen Robinson and most recently Davante Adams. The Rams will hope Adams has a similar immediate impact that Cooks had.