Patriots Trade Brandin Cooks In Stunning Deal: ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The Patriots are trading top receiver Brandin Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams, ESPN reported. New England is dealing Cooks and a fourth-round pick to the Rams in exchange for a first- and sixth-round pick. The Rams first-rounder is No. 23.

ESPN reports the stunning trade means Rob Gronkowski will be staying put in New England. His name had popped up in trade talks of late.

This trade appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Cooks, who was acquired from the Saints last offseason in exchange for a first- and third-round draft pick, was the Patriots top receiver in 2017. The 24-year-old caught 65 balls for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns.

Cooks played just one year in New England. He was knocked out of the Super Bowl early after suffering a big hit against Philadelphia.

This has been an offseason to remember for the Patriots. They have now lost receivers Cooks and Danny Amendola, running back Dion Lewis, offensive lineman Nate Solder and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. They also traded away quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo amidst rumors of discontentment among Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

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