In 2017, Brandin Cooks led New England Patriots wide receivers in snaps, targets, receptions, yards, yards per catch and touchdowns.
Apparently, Tom Brady won't miss that production.
The Patriots didn't see Cooks as a true No. 1 receiver prior to his trade to the Los Angeles Rams, a source informed of the situation told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. In addition, Brady wasn't against the decision to part ways with him, Rapoport reported.
The Brady-Cooks deep connection lacked efficiency, but the speedster did help stretch the field for the rest of the offense.
The Patriots moved on after coach Bill Belichick decided he wasn't going to pay Cooks No. 1 receiver money. New England also believes wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who missed the entire 2017 season because of a knee injury, will be a productive receiver, per Rapoport.
Conversely, the Rams believe they are getting a player who can transform Sean McVay's offense, and one the head coach has coveted. Paying a first-round pick for a player with just one year left on his contract speaks to L.A.'s fascination with a receiver the Patriots didn't deem a game-changing target.
New England will now move forward with Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Mitchell, Phillip Dorsett, Kenny Britt, Cordarrelle Patterson, Riley McCarron and Cody Hollister among its receiver depth chart. Brady has dominated with worse groups of receivers than his current collection. If they can stay healthy -- a big if -- the Pats' offense should be just fine.
