Cory's Corner: Cooks Is Another Flashy Object

Brandin Cooks seems like the next great thing. 

He’s a 27-year-old wide receiver that can absolutely fly, which seems to mesh perfectly with the strong-armed Aaron Rodgers. 

 
However, Cooks isn’t the answer — he’s just another flashy object. 
 
Sure, Cooks has averaged 955 receiving yards a season as he enters his seventh NFL season and an amazing career catch percentage of 65. Those things combined with Cooks’ blistering speed would be welcome additions to the Packers receiving corps, which was a group that was very disjointed last year. Davante Adams led the team with 83 receptions but the next wide receiver on that list was Allen Lazard’s 35 grabs — good for fifth. 
 
The Packers need plenty of help at receiver but they don’t need someone that had a pair of concussions and has suffered five in his short career. Those concussions were likely the reason Cooks had his worst season as a pro last year. He had the worst catch percentage of a Rams regular starter.
 
The good news is that the Rams are losing leverage. Cooks has been traded twice before for first round picks, but the best that Los Angeles is going to get is likely a third rounder combined with a late round throw-in. Cooks has a cap hit of $16.8 million this season and if the Rams do trade him they still would owe him $17.8 million in dead money. 
 
There’s no way the Rams want to pay that. They have to pay Jared Goff and Aaron Donald over $61 million this season. That’s why the Cooks trade rumors are heating up. Who do you think is putting those rumors out there? The Rams are trying to save face from a potential financial graveyard by getting something in return. 
 
That’s why it’s best to wait. If the Rams really don’t want him back, they will release him. I think Cooks has a few miles left on his tires, but it’s not worth the $8 million cap hit for the Packers.
 
This is the time of year that shiny new objects come and go. On the surface, Cooks looks like a great add for Rodgers; someone that could stretch the field and really open things up for the running game and the tight ends underneath. However, like most things, it’s too good to be true and the investment isn’t worth it in the long run.

 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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2 points
 

Comments (61)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
scoonie_penn's picture

April 07, 2020 at 07:01 am

Cooks is like that gorgeous girl that everyone wanted to date in college who you see at the class reunion and find out she's on her third husband. She still looks amazing but you know something just ain't right.

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dobber's picture

April 07, 2020 at 09:36 am

Cookie for you scoonie!

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murf7777's picture

April 07, 2020 at 07:40 am

Very tempting if you can land him for a 3rd rounder. But, We have limited capital resources and it should be used in other areas, like signing next years FA’s. We don’t want to be like the Vikings and have to deplete our team because we are in salary cap hell.

There is an exceptionally strong draft in the WR position where we have an opportunity to land a player who can help this year. I know that WR position can take time to develop, especially with a QB like AR, but last year there was 5-8 rookie WR’s who had an impact to their team. Lastly, we already invested in Funchess and he will enhance that position over last year.

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Lphill's picture

April 07, 2020 at 07:46 am

A seasoned veteran who can make an impact right away? Why would the Packers want him .

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Guam's picture

April 07, 2020 at 07:54 am

I'm sure the Packers wanted/want a number of good veteran players. What they can afford is a different issue. The Packer salary cap is tapped right now although they could free up $4.5 million by cutting Taylor. Unfortunately $4.5 million won't get Cooks and I would rather see than money spent on an IDL anyway.

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stockholder's picture

April 07, 2020 at 08:02 am

To late for the DL. They'll have to eliminate offense to draft the DL now. Big mistake.

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PeteK's picture

April 07, 2020 at 08:14 am

Snacks is still out there, but drafting Fotu from Utah in the 3rd round may be the better decision.

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PeteK's picture

April 07, 2020 at 08:22 am

Exactly how much cap space do we have left? ESPN reported 11.7 mill without releasing Taylor.

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scullyitsme's picture

April 07, 2020 at 01:15 pm

Still am trying to figure out why everyone wants to cut lane Taylor to save what? 4-5 mil? He’s easily worth that as our top backup. Our top backup last year was Alex light. How’d that work for us?

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Leatherhead's picture

April 07, 2020 at 02:27 pm

Uhhhhh......we won 14 games?

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scullyitsme's picture

April 07, 2020 at 08:50 pm

Just kind of a assine comment, but I’ll spell it out for you if your slow, Alex light played like crap. Almost got Rodgers killed, next time we might not be so lucky. There

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Leatherhead's picture

April 07, 2020 at 11:04 pm

He played like crap according to who? You?

He played against Philadelphia and played well enough the coaches used him again and again. I suppose they weren’t smart enough to realize he was playing like crap. Two of the three games he played the most in saw the offense go over 30 points, so I wonder how that happens if he’s playing like crap.

According to PFF, he allowed ZERO SACKS in 151 snaps. So yeah, I’m slow. Spell it out for me. You say he played like crap and almost got Rodgers killed, but the facts don’t seem to support you.

You know what I think? I think you just made stuff up.

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scullyitsme's picture

April 08, 2020 at 10:15 am

Ok “run the ball” good luck defending Alex light. The rest of us had eyes

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Leatherhead's picture

April 08, 2020 at 11:58 am

Apparently, the coaching staff and PFF agree with me.

"The rest of us?". If 30 dumbasses think the world is flat, it doesn't change the fact.

I'm going to ignore you now, unless you specifically reply to me, because you don't know squat.

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Leatherhead's picture

April 07, 2020 at 02:27 pm

Uhhhhh......we won 14 games?

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murf7777's picture

April 07, 2020 at 07:57 am

Lphill, read my excerpt above and you will understand why.

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PeteK's picture

April 07, 2020 at 12:01 pm

He is exactly what we need at WR, except for 8 mill, 3 confusions, and had his worst season in 2019. I would sign Gabriel for a mill before him.

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dobber's picture

April 07, 2020 at 11:19 am

I've had at least 3 confusions, and that's just today!

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PeteK's picture

April 07, 2020 at 12:02 pm

That's what happens when you get concussed. LOL

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jannes bjornson's picture

April 07, 2020 at 12:11 pm

Just get your guy in the first couple rounds. Move along, nothing to see with Cooks.

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HankScorpio's picture

April 07, 2020 at 08:41 am

The better question is why would the 3 previous teams that had him on their roster want to get rid of him. It's not because they are all dopey. There is a reason.

Sometimes, one man's trash is another man's treasure. But 3-time trash is usually just trash.

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CAG123's picture

April 07, 2020 at 09:19 am

Not really a good question just look at his numbers the guys produced everywhere he’s gone the Saints didn’t want to pay him and were in the midst of three straight losing seasons, the Patriots didn’t want to pay and used him as a one year rental and now the Rams don’t want to continue to pay him and are in denial about their real mistake which was giving Goff all that money.

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Leatherhead's picture

April 07, 2020 at 01:12 pm

We know that nobody wanted to pay him. Why?

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CAG123's picture

April 07, 2020 at 08:07 pm

Because that’s how it works in the NFL sometimes look at each teams situation the Saints didn’t want to pay because they refocused on def during the time he was producing in NO they were in the midst of three straight losing seasons, the Patriots didn’t pay him because they hardly pay anyone par the course for them and the Rams no longer want to pay him because they need cap space for Ramsey.

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RCPackerFan's picture

April 07, 2020 at 08:18 am

I'm still really curious to why Cooks has been traded away from 2 teams. Is he a bad locker room guy?

If he was good in the locker room, the only way I would consider trading for him is if he reworked a deal and he cost no more then a 3rd or 4th round pick.

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HankScorpio's picture

April 07, 2020 at 08:44 am

Good teams don't let valuable assets go for no reason. NO and NE already let him go. If the Rams join that parade, it ought to be a red flag to everyone.

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RCPackerFan's picture

April 07, 2020 at 10:31 am

Exactly my thinking.

They were fine with signing him to a bigger contract, so why are they wanting to get rid of him now?

Its like he gets there and lasts about 2 years and teams are ready to move on. It really makes me wonder if something is off with him in the locker room environment. I'm just speculating, but like you said if a 3rd team is good with letting him go, it really makes you wonder why.

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CAG123's picture

April 07, 2020 at 10:01 am

Because they didn’t want to pay him look at his numbers the Saints knew he was up for a contract and traded him going into his fifth year they were also in the midst of three straight losing seasons and decided to invest in def (Brees never really needed flashy WR to produce). The Patriots picked up his 5th year option most likely knowing they weren’t going to pay him anyway (because Patriots) and seeing what they could get out of him and they reached a SB. The Rams gave him his contract and no longer want to pay because they really need to free up some money for Jalen Ramsey. Sometimes it’s really just about dollars. No way a locker room cancer goes through three teams and we haven’t heard a peep.

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jannes bjornson's picture

April 07, 2020 at 12:36 pm

Both GMs knew when to move him and both teams got one picks in return. He is a deep threat but not a great route runner in the other 80% of the plays.

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taarons420's picture

April 07, 2020 at 08:27 am

I would argue that the Packers need more flashy objects.

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Coldworld's picture

April 07, 2020 at 08:42 am

That amount of concussions is downright scary. I would rather look for new talent than pin my hopes on a player one hit could take out.

If the Rams can find someone to take that contract at that risk, good luck to them. Personally I’d be surprised if the Packers medical staff would sign off on this in any scenario.

Yes he is better than we have outside Adams if healthy, but that’s not enough for me in this case.

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Leatherhead's picture

April 07, 2020 at 08:42 am

Because we only won 14 games last year.

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TarynsEyes's picture

April 07, 2020 at 09:32 am

Did they win the one that counts?

Last year was a mirage and it would be foolish to expect it to reappear again this year.

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Johnblood27's picture

April 07, 2020 at 11:26 am

Thank you sunshine.

How about this...

IF the Packers somehow squeeze out 13 wins this year you vacate this board?

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TarynsEyes's picture

April 07, 2020 at 11:57 am

I couldn't and wouldn't do that to you and others as you would all miss me dearly. You may not admit it but you all would.

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PeteK's picture

April 07, 2020 at 12:08 pm

All right, damn it , I would miss you. I like blues music and cloudy days can be peaceful. Hahahaha

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TarynsEyes's picture

April 07, 2020 at 12:58 pm

: )

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Leatherhead's picture

April 07, 2020 at 12:35 pm

They won the game that counted to get them there. They won games in Chicago, Minnesota, and Detroit

Mirage? Hardly. We won the turnover battle often. We executed in the red zone. We played good defense against most teams but SF had our number.

Winning our division this year is the first goal. I think we have a real good chance at that.

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TarynsEyes's picture

April 07, 2020 at 02:36 pm

They won what game to get them there?
Where exactly is there in your view?

Because to me, winning the game that got them there would have been the game against SF to get to the where that matters, the SB, and they didn't win that one, did they?

The goal is to WIN the last game. Anything less is moot. Everything else is a Participation Award that means nothing except to those who adore also ran banners hanging from the rafters or tier railings.

GB hang any of those banners, less the CHAMPIONSHIP kind?

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Leatherhead's picture

April 07, 2020 at 09:47 pm

There is the Championship game... we beat Seattle them to get to it.

I reject your reasoning that only the last game matters

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TarynsEyes's picture

April 07, 2020 at 10:57 pm

When you play any game for fun the last game played may not have meaning because it's just about having fun.

When you pay people to play any game, the last game is the only one that matters and matters even more who wins it. You don't pay players to not win the last game.

The games you win to get to the last one are important but the failure to win the last one makes the others moot.

The only question at the end of every season in any sport is "WHO WON" the last game.

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Leatherhead's picture

April 07, 2020 at 11:07 pm

I never got paid for playing, but I did get paid for coaching, and I always felt each game counts. Still do.

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TarynsEyes's picture

April 07, 2020 at 11:29 pm

Yes,each game counts as an individual cog in the wheel to win the last game.

Don't confuse coaching players that don't get paid with those that do. You don't pay them for fun time. You pay them to play and Win 'THE' Game.

HC's should never tell paid athletes to have fun, but should say enjoy the game your playing in but you play to win the last one. Do your job.

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taarons420's picture

April 07, 2020 at 11:45 am

No. Idea. How.
Has to be the least talented team to ever win 13 reg season games.
Hope last season's "success" doesn't over-inflate management's opinion of the roster.

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PeteK's picture

April 07, 2020 at 12:14 pm

Very good QB, RB, WR, solid O line, 41 sacks, solid CBs etc ...

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Leatherhead's picture

April 07, 2020 at 01:36 pm

New Orleans won 13 games, and then lost at home to a team we beat twice. But I guess they were still better than us, huh?

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Leatherhead's picture

April 07, 2020 at 01:36 pm

New Orleans won 13 games, and then lost at home to a team we beat twice. But I guess they were still better than us, huh?

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joejetson's picture

April 07, 2020 at 08:44 am

Pack Salary Cap situation makes Cooks acquisition a moot point. Need to fix WR via Draft.

4 points
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TheVOR's picture

April 07, 2020 at 10:43 am

It's almost like nobody in the media actually knows the situation, or actually thinks! All these dreamed up scenarios about who fits where, what UFA are going where and who's interested, or should be interested, etc..

This team has ZERO (very little) Cap to play with. UFA for the most part is over, that contract doesn't fit our cap. Welcome to the world of expensive under-performing QB's on your roster. You'd better be able to draft, because if you can't, your team will flounder in good football hell, where you never win championships because you draft guy's like Gary with a 12 hole pick you should have traded out of.

GB had an opportunity for a monster draft if they had just traded out of 12. Instead, they picked a guy who will never amount to anything in Green Bay. They drafted Datone Jones all over again, and destroyed what should have been a MONSTER draft for GB. We should have had 2 #1's, been able to still have drafted Savage, and had 2x #2's. Could have had some serious roster additions for that kind of value, and instead, they drafted Gary.

Not that convinced on Gutz people, sorry, he's been all over the place, done pretty well in UFA, and is very questionable thus far in the draft. He needs a MONSTER draft this season, because if he doesn't hit on at least 2 significant performers out of this one, with some serious depth adders, this team is going nowhere. They're not going to be creeping up on anyone this year. My 2..

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scullyitsme's picture

April 07, 2020 at 01:29 pm

I hope you’re wrong, and I’m wrong, because I agree. If Gary was worth his pick last year he would of been playing. They would of come up with packages with Z, Preston and Gary at the same time because he was too good not to. That didn’t happen, they didn’t even try. He couldn’t even beat out fackrell. His snap total was pathetic. He may not be a bust for his career yet but he certainly was a bust last year.

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PhantomII's picture

April 07, 2020 at 02:30 pm

Gary's light will come on year 5 just in time to get paid while leaving GB because in 4 years we got nothing out of him and year 5 can't afford to keep him. I will say Gary is not lazy at least. Most players that don't get better are lazy and unwilling to put in the effort to get better, like our DL. King will be better this year and get paid and move on. Alexander who seems to be going backwards (poor coaching). Poor defensive scheme. Lack of overall talent.

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dobber's picture

April 07, 2020 at 03:10 pm

"He couldn’t even beat out fackrell. "

Fackrell got most of his snaps playing in space/off-ball OLB. That's not what Gary is going to do very much. If you want him playing in space, you're asking him to be what he's not.

2 points
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scullyitsme's picture

April 07, 2020 at 08:25 pm

The keep calling Gary an athletic freak, nobody’s ever said that about fackrell. Either way they didn’t make a point to get Gary on the field, that’s my point.

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Buzbro's picture

April 08, 2020 at 01:08 pm

If he was worty of play time he would have been out there. Not calling him a bust,hopefully a slow starter

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TarynsEyes's picture

April 07, 2020 at 12:27 pm

What many here fail to grasp is that this team has failed to acquire enough Grade B players to help Rodgers perform to the level needed to be ACTUAL contenders instead of having to rely on backdoor entrances into the playoffs. Please do not bring up last seasons fluke of luck as the ass whipping we received twice in same manner by SF proved no ability to adapt and most of the wins were/still are more likely because of the opponents failures than GB's successful game play.

This team is and has been relegated to a Grade C/C+ roster for multiple and consecutive seasons. We let the better walk away and sign the lesser with hopes of grandeur with each. We waste much of the salary cap on such that we find ourselves constantly fishing for retreads or leftovers at the bottom of each barrel.

This season is not going to be saved by the same happenstance of luck as last season and the cure will not be acquired in this draft as GB is out of position to do so. Is there a chance, of course, but I don't see the ingenuity needed or the draft capital to make that chance the reality needed to succeed. Too many holes to fill, too many positions in need of a huge upgrade not to forget backups with more than an iota of ability than simple hope.

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Leatherhead's picture

April 07, 2020 at 12:39 pm

We were the second best team in the NFC, even with a rookie coach and all those holes in a C+ roster. I guess quite a few teams underachieved last year, huh?

2 points
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TarynsEyes's picture

April 07, 2020 at 12:54 pm

Second best team by record and no where near such in talent, ability or game play and why we went home with sore asses against a real team of talent.

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Packer_Fan's picture

April 07, 2020 at 01:00 pm

I will just throw this out there. Trade Lane Taylor and a 6th or 7th rounder for Cooks. Only have to absorb $4.5 mil.... But that should have happened before Funchess

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dobber's picture

April 07, 2020 at 03:11 pm

Fantasy football...

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wildbill's picture

April 07, 2020 at 04:06 pm

I’m sorry, he passes the ability test but with his contract and multiple concussions I think it’s wise to avoid this temptation.

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stockholder's picture

April 07, 2020 at 05:09 pm

I say Get him. Forget the WR early. There are just to many people that could leave next year. The defense has been Gutey's baby. The money, draft picks, and upgrades are happening there. If he can get Cooks do it.

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