The Houston Texans traded their top wide receiver, Brandin Cooks, to the Dallas Cowboys for a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-round pick in 2024. This deal impacts the draft needs for both teams. For the Cowboys, Cooks fills the hole created by trading Amari Cooper to the Browns in 2022, and the team no longer needs a wide receiver as desperately as they did. They can wait until later in the draft to address that position. For the Texans, Cooks’ departure leaves a gap at wide receiver, but they had already added new players to that position during the offseason. Houston also gained a draft pick to address their needs, including at the wide receiver position. The acquired fifth-round pick replaces the one they forfeited for illegally compensating Deshaun Watson during the pandemic. Overall, the trade provides the Cowboys with a much-needed wide receiver, while the Texans have gained a draft pick to help address their needs.
The Impact of the Cowboys-Texans Trade for WR Brandin Cooks on the NFL Draft
On Sunday morning, the Houston Texans made news with two big announcements – a contract extension for their standout left tackle Laremy Tunsil and the trade of their top wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Dallas Cowboys. This deal sends Cooks to the Cowboys in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-round pick in 2024, impacting the draft needs for both teams.
Cowboys Impact
The Dallas Cowboys were in dire need of a wide receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb after trading Amari Cooper to the Browns in 2022. The acquisition of Cooks provides them with an experienced receiver who can work all levels of the field. Though he is 29 and coming off a down season with the Texans, Cooks has a history of being a deep threat and can benefit from the superior QB play and supporting talent he’ll have in Dallas.
With the addition of Cooks, the Cowboys no longer have a desperate need for a wide receiver and can wait until later in the draft to address that position. This is particularly helpful given the middle-heavy draft class at wideout.
Texans Impact
For the Houston Texans, the loss of Cooks leaves a gap at the wide receiver position. However, they had already added Robert Woods and Noah Brown (the Cowboys’ No. 2 WR in 2022) this offseason, and they have promising young Nico Collins and John Metchie, who could provide a boost with a healthy return. So, while wide receiver is still a need, it is no longer a pressing one.
The Texans also gained a fifth-round pick from the Cowboys, which gives them a replacement for the fifth-rounder they forfeited for illegally compensating Deshaun Watson during the pandemic. They may use this pick to add another wideout, but it is unlikely that GM Nick Caserio will address this need before that point.
In conclusion, the Cowboys-Texans trade for WR Brandin Cooks has impacted the draft needs for both teams. The Cowboys no longer need a wide receiver as desperately as they did, and the Texans have gained a draft pick to address their needs, including at the wide receiver position.
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