The trade deadline is a mere three days away and the trade rumors are getting hotter and hotter. Multiple teams have inquired about Houston Texans WR Brandin Cooks and that includes the Minnesota Vikings according to Jordan Schultz.
Buy Vikings TicketsMultiple teams in the mix for #Texans’ WR Brandin Cooks: #Rams, #Vikings, #Giants and the #Packers – as a dark horse – have reached out to Houston, sources tell @theScore.
Cooks, 29, has recorded six 1k-seasons with 49 TDs. I’m told if moved, he only wants to go to a contender.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 29, 2022
Schultz also noted that Cooks only wants to go to a contender if he is traded. Host of Locked on Vikings Luke Braun noted that only the Vikings lead their division of this group of teams. The Rams and Packers, while both being under .500 on the season, they were preseason favorites to make the Super Bowl out of the NFC.
This is in line with the multiple sources that have reported the Vikings have been looking for a wide receiver. Jerry Jeudy and Chase Claypool have also been brought up and SKOR North’s Darren “Doogie” Wolfson has brought his name up prior.
I'll say this: When I brought up his name on Skor this week, it wasn't random.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) October 28, 2022
The Vikings would be wise to bring in Cooks from a talent and team building perspective. They have a really good group of receivers at the top, but they don’t have a quality field stretcher. He provides that deep-threat ability along with after the catch ability with his speed and quickness.
The cost for the Vikings would be high, as they would likely have to send the Texans at least a second-round pick and his contract is not great for where the Vikings are in regard to their cap situation.
This year, the Vikings would be on the hook for a prorated portion of his $1.168 million salary. Next season would be the issue. The Vikings would be on the hook for Cooks’ $18 million guaranteed salary. If they see Cooks as a part of the future for the Vikings, that is a February problem for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Also, Cooks’ experience playing with Sean McVay for two years so his translation to the offense would be minimal.
The Vikings only have a few days to make a decision, but it could be one that would change the course of this team moving forward.
