The Jets have been very active this offseason with adding quality pieces. They have focused mainly on retaining their pieces from last season while also shoring up their league-worst offensive line. Joe Douglas has done a great job so far of efficiently accomplishing both key needs.
The Jets have one need that is yet to be addressed. That need is wide-receiver. While the Jets are probably going to be re-signing free-agent wide receiver Robby Anderson, age-26, they don’t have a true number one receiver and should be searching. The market doesn’t have many available top-notch receivers so the Jets will have to explore a trade.
The Jets ought to look no further than another star 26-year-old wide receiver playing in Hollywood at the moment. The Rams have been trying to trade away star receiver Brandin Cooks. The asking price may be a little high but the Jets should not hesitate to inquire and try to work out a deal with the Rams.
Cooks has been the number one receiver for the bulk of his career with the Saints from 2014-2016, Patriots in 2017, and Rams ever since. He signed a five-year, $81 million extension with the Rams with $50.5 million guaranteed before the 2018 season so will come with a decent size cap hit.
In 88 games played out of 96 total possible, Cooks has acclimated 5,730 receiving yards on 402 receptions and scored 34 touchdowns. In the playoffs for New England in 2017, he had 10 receptions for 155 yards, and in 2018 with the Rams, he had 19 receptions for 292 yards.
Overall, the Jets would acquire a great number one receiver in Cooks if they can work out the high asking price plus the large-cap hit but would be a great move.