The Los Angeles Rams have eliminated themselves in the pursuit of New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. On Tuesday, they completed a trade for New England Patriots receiver Brandon Cooks, giving up first- and sixth-round picks in the process. Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported the news of the deal.
Patriots are trading WR Brandin Cooks and a fourth-round pick to LA Rams for the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft and a sixth-round pick, league sources told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2018
Rams acquiring Brandin Cooks means LA is out on Odell Beckham Jr., and the Giants will need another trade partner to make a deal for the mercurial WR.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2018
The 24-year-old Cooks spent just one season with New England after a trade last offseason sent him from the New Orleans Saints to the Patriots. In 15 games last year, Cooks registered 65 receptions for 1,082 yards with seven touchdowns.
After working to improve their defense drastically, the Rams' deal for Cooks adds another weapon on an offense that already has players like quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley.
Los Angeles reportedly inquired with the Giants about Beckham's availability even though New York was never officially shopping him. They were listening to offers, but the asking price of two first-round picks may have just been too high for the Rams. Yes, we find it interesting too that the Giants were not officially shopping Beckham but reportedly had an asking price.
Giants price tag for Beckham was too steep for the Rams. And Rams were most intent team. Perhaps 49ers step up now
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 3, 2018
I'm told the Pats trading of Cooks is not a precursor to an attempt to land Beckham. New England won't be in that market
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 3, 2018
That leaves a team like the 49ers, who may look to counter the numerous offseason moves made by the Rams, as a potential trade partner. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported last week that San Francisco has "real interest" in Beckham.
"I continue to hear San Francisco is monitoring this thing closely, has real interest, and this could shape up as a very interested NFC West arms race," wrote La Canfora.
The Giants remain hopeful that Beckham will stay in New York despite Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reporting that the disgruntled receiver would not set foot on a football field for any NFL team without a new contract. During his four-year career with the Giants, he registered 313 receptions for 4,424 yards and 38 touchdowns.
While the Rams attempt to solidify themselves as the favorite in the NFC West and perhaps the NFC, the 49ers continue to take a more patient approach to their rebuild.
"We plan on improving our team, which I think we've done," Shanahan told Peter Schrager of Good Morning Football last week. "It's going to be a challenge this year (playing the Rams). I think it's going to be a challenge for years to come and we look forward to it."
The Rams had already made a lot of offseason noise with the additions of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. Meanwhile, the 49ers have added names like cornerback Richard Sherman on defense. On offense, they added running back Jerick McKinnon and offensive linemen Weston Richburg and Jonathan Cooper on offense. Of course, San Francisco's most significant and impactful offseason transaction was the signing of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a five-year deal.