In a move that has long been considered a possibility, the New England Patriots traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks Tuesday. 

The Pats sent Cooks and a fourth round draft pick to the LA Rams in exchange for the 23rd overall selection in the 2018 draft and a sixth round pick.

First reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal is one that the insider claimed had been in the works for more than a month.

Though he totaled 1,082 yards on 65 catches last season, after being dealt to the Pats by the New Orleans Saints for the 32nd pick in last year's draft, Cooks didn't quite live up to expectations.

Couple that with the fact that he was due over $8 million this season, just ahead of free agency where he would likely command more, and the Patriots likely figured they would be better off getting an extra high pick than keeping the deep threat in what is an already deep position for the team.

New England now has two late first round picks, which they could use to address some of their top areas of need, like edge pass rusher and offensive tackle.

 

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420