The Dallas Cowboys are in the process of finalising a trade for veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks that will add another star weapon to quarterback Dak Prescott’s arsenal.
The deal - pending a physical - involves the Cowboys sending a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth-round selection to the Houston Texans in exchange for Cooks. There are also financial considerations, with the Texans set to pay $6m of his $18m guaranteed contract.
Cooks inked a two-year extension last year worth $39.6m to reward his impressive production as he caught a career-high 90 passes on 134 targets for 1,037 yards and six touchdowns in 2021. In his first season with the Texans in 2020, Cooks combined with three-time Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson - who was traded to the Cleveland Browns last offseason - for 1,150 yards and six scores.
The production is there, but the 29-year-old made it clear he did not want to be part of a rebuilding process and reiterated his desire to avoid being part of the new Texans regime. As a result, Cooks has been traded for the fourth time in his career.
Acquired by the Texans from the Los Angeles Rams in a 2020 trade for a second-round pick, Cooks has now tied Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson for the most trades involving an individual player in NFL history. The former Oregon State was previously traded to the New England Patriots after being drafted by the New Orleans Saints, and then the Rams before joining the Texans.
Cooks reportedly drew interest and inquiries from the Rams, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs and Cowboys at the trade deadline. The Denver Broncos also expressed interest in his services after they hired Sean Payton, his former coach at the Saints.
After new Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was hired, Cooks reiterated his trade desire as he wanted to join a playoff contender following a 11-38-1 record over three years in Houston. He recently claimed he gave the Texans everything and it was unfortunate it didn’t translate into success.
Speaking to KPRC 2 at the end of the 2022 campaign, Cooks said: “In every way, I gave everything I had for three years. Regardless of the situation and a lot of things that was going on, I always worked my tail off and tried to be the best player and the best leader I can be.”
No deal was struck with the Cowboys prior to the trade deadline due a the complicated situation surrounding Cooks’ guaranteed salary in 2023 along with the Texans’ high asking price. Houston reportedly wanted a second-round draft pick - and other compensation - in exchange for the star wideout.
Ultimately, the trade gives Cowboys quarterback Prescott a speedy wide receiver weapon to work alongside CeeDee Lamb. Cooks is a former track and field standout from California who has run the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds and has impressively maintained his speed through a diligent workout regimen.
Last season, Cooks caught 57 passes for 699 yards and three touchdowns last season on 93 targets. He has caught 699 passes across his career for 8,616 yards and 49 touchdowns.
