What The Brandin Cooks Trade Means For Patriots

Brandin Cooks. (Elsa/Getty Images)

BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- The Patriots shipped speedy vertical threat Brandin Cooks to the Rams with a fourth-round pick for the 23rd choice in this month's draft and a sixth-rounder.

New England's scheduled to pick at 23, 31, 43, 63, and 95. In the last three years combined--just one top-50 selection. Pats haven't drafted this high since taking Chandler Jones 21st in 2012.

Cooks had a mostly solid single season in Foxboro with 75 catches for 1,237 yards and seven touchdowns, including the playoffs. He led the team in targets and yards per reception but, a year out from free agency and due 8-point-5 million dollars, it became clear Bill Belichick didn't wish to sign the receiver long-term for maybe 14 million dollars annually.

So, a soon to be 41-year-old Tom Brady has a thinning depth chart with Cooks, Danny Amendola, and even Dion Lewis gone. The receivers include Julian Edelman and Malcolm Mitchell--both coming off missed seasons--along with Chris Hogan, Cordarrelle Patterson, Kenny Britt, and Phllip Dorsett. There's tight end Rob Gronkowski, too. Hopefully.

What will the Pats do with all those picks? They could load up with young talent on rookie contracts--perhaps a top quarterback. Or, package picks for a star like Odell Beckham Junior.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports