New Orleans sent Brandin Cooks and a fourth-round pick to New…
New Orleans sent Brandin Cooks and a fourth-round pick to New England for the final first-round pick and a third-rounder. The Saints drafted Ryan Ramczyk and Trey Hendrickson, landing an All-Pro right tackle and a pass rusher who broke out with 13.5 sacks in 2020. New England still received 1,082 yards from Cooks and later flipped him for a first-round pick, making this a strong transaction for both clubs.
New England Patriots Received
- pick Brandin Cooks and 2017 4th round pick (118th overall subsequently traded, Mack Hollins)
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 2017 1st round pick (32nd overall, Ryan Ramczyk)
- pick 2017 3rd round pick (103rd overall, Trey Hendrickson)
Trade Analysis
This trade is a good example of why a transaction can produce a clear winner without producing a clear loser. New England was defending a championship and wanted another vertical weapon for Tom Brady. The Patriots sent pick No. 32 and pick No. 103 to New Orleans for Brandin Cooks and the Saints' fourth-rounder. Cooks immediately delivered, catching 65 passes for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns as New England returned to the Super Bowl.
The Patriots then avoided paying a large extension by moving Cooks to the Rams before the 2018 draft. That second trade brought back pick No. 23 and a sixth-rounder while New England sent Cooks and a fourth-round pick. In practical terms, the Patriots received a productive season from Cooks and recovered premium first-round capital one year later. That is strong asset management even though Cooks' stay was brief.
New Orleans did even better with the original return. Pick No. 32 became right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, who developed into one of the league's premier offensive linemen and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2019 with additional All-Pro recognition in other seasons. Pick No. 103 became Trey Hendrickson. His first three years were quieter, but he exploded for 13.5 sacks in 2020 before leaving in free agency and continuing as an elite pass rusher elsewhere.
The Saints therefore turned one receiver into two premium starters, including a long-term cornerstone at right tackle. New England's side should not remain at C- because the Patriots got exactly what they needed for a title run and then recovered a first-round selection.
New Orleans earns an A+ for converting the return into Ramczyk and Hendrickson. New England earns a B+ for Cooks' immediate production and the successful resale one year later. The Saints still win on enduring football value, but both organizations handled the transaction well.