Rams trade WR Brandin Cooks to Texans, swapping draft picks

Brandin Cooks is being traded yet again, this time to the Houston Texans to replace DeAndre Hopkins.

The Los Angeles Rams are sending Cooks to Houston, along with a future fourth-round pick, in return for a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, per multiple reports:

Texans acquire WR Brandin Cooks and a 2022 fourth-round pick from the Rams for the 57th pick in this month's draft.

— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) April 9, 2020

The #Texans are sending a 2nd round pick to the #Rams in exchange for WR Brandin Cooks and a future fourth-round pick, source said.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 9, 2020

Cooks has been traded twice before in recent memory, but both times for a first-round pick. The 20th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Cooks was was traded by the New Orleans Saints to the New England Patriots in 2017, then from the Pats to the Rams a year later.

An undersized but explosive playmaker, Cooks gives Deshaun Watson another dynamic deep threat to pair with Will Fuller, Kenny Stills and Randall Cobb, helping to ease Hopkins’ departure.

The Rams are still strong at wide receiver, but without a first-round pick. This gives them a pair of second-rounders in this year’s draft.