Brandin Cooks is available, and Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) the Texans are in discussions involving the ninth-year receiver. But Cooks’ $18MM guaranteed 2023 salary — which came to pass after Houston re-signed him on a two-year, $39MM pact in April — has proven to be an impediment here. Teams are not moving on Cooks unless the Texans pick up a chunk of that salary. Cooks, 29, was linked to giving up some guaranteed money to facilitate a trade back to the Rams. But it is unlikely he will give up too much cash to be moved. The Giants and Vikings have also been connected to the thrice-traded Cooks. For what it’s worth, Cooks was not at Texans practice Tuesday. Personal reasons — not an imminent trade — are believed to be behind Cooks’ absence, NFL.com’s Garafolo tweets.
With the deadline in less than three hours, here is the latest from the trade front:
- The Broncos have told teams they are not conducting a fire sale, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. A Bradley Chubb trade still could commence, but NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo hears (video link) the team is holding out for a better offer. Denver has been linked to not only wanting a first-round pick for Chubb but two firsts. With the latter price range unlikely to take shape, the Broncos figure to be put to a major decision today. Jerry Jeudy remains unlikely to be moved, per Garafolo.
- No Cam Akers trade is imminent, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports tweets. The Rams have been looking for a trade partner to unload their 2020 second-round pick. This situation may not be as icy as previously believed, however. Akers was once rumored to be done with the Rams, but he is now prepared to return to the team if no trade occurs this afternoon.
- Prior to acquiring James Robinson from the Jaguars, the Jets looked into Kareem Hunt, Breer notes. The Browns have dangled Hunt for the price of a fourth-round pick, but the former rushing champion may now be set to stay in Cleveland for at least this season’s remainder. Hunt, 27, should be expected to hit free agency if no trade goes down today.
- The Lions may not be done dealing. After sending T.J. Hockenson to the Vikings, the rebuilding NFC North squad has informed teams it remains open for business. Defensive back is one of the areas in which Detroit is willing to deal, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones tweets. Contract-year cornerback Amani Oruwariye would appear to be one name available. While Jeff Okudah arrived before the Brad Holmes regime took over, it would still be surprising if Detroit moved on from the former No. 3 overall pick.
- In addition to making defensive end Tarell Basham available, the Cowboys are open to moving defensive tackle Trysten Hill, Breer adds. Dallas has not seen the former second-round pick develop into a starter but has used him as a part-time player throughout this season. The team just added Johnathan Hankins via trade and has rookie-contract performers Osa Odighizuwa and Quinton Bohanna ahead of Hill. Basham has only played in one game this season (Week 1) and remains on IR. The Cowboys designated the former third-round edge rusher for return late last month, however.
- The 49ers have already made their big trade splash, sending four picks to the Panthers for Christian McCaffrey. Kyle Shanahan said (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area) the phone lines are always open, but the team does not expect to make another move.
My guess is the Broncos will be getting rid of Melvin Gordon today – probably to the Rams.
I doubt there is much of a market for Albert Okwuegbunam though, as Dulcich has outplayed him, thus he probably stays put.
Dulcich has played well as a receiver, which is Okwuegbunam’s calling card. Neither has really shown enough to lay all the cards down on him, but Okwuegbunam has that athletic reputation that Fant did, albeit at a lower level. I didn’t really understand that pick for Denver at the time to be honest, as Fant appeared to be the future there and had the same skillset. The problem for Denver is that neither of these two really block well enough to be the full time starter at the moment, but both are young enough that they have time to improve, either in Denver or elsewhere.
Okwuegbunam has barely played this year, however, and most of the tight ends have received snaps. He was looked at as the starter following the Fant trade. Considering how crowded the TE room is for the Broncos, moving Okwuegbunam for the best offer would not be bad. As you said, the lack of market due to his not playing will likely impede that prospect.
Paton started off well – but this year’s decisions have been a complete disaster.
Yes, I do still think that he is overall a good manager, but I did not like the Gregory deal obviously. The Wilson deal at the time I was a little iffy on (not as much as I am now, of course). The Hackett deal I did not like, but if it led to Rodgers, I thought it was acceptable. Of course, it did not, and unlike the Eagles’ Sirianni situation (in which a coach was hired for a specific quarterback and the team lost that quarterback), Hackett has proven to be absolutely inept. Paton could salvage the Wilson deal by firing Hackett, but it’s doubtful that he will do so, at least not until this season is completely wasted on learning Hackett’s system that will not be there long term.
I understand that Hackett was part of the Rodgers gamble, but I said at the time, and do still believe, that Denver should have retained Fangio if they wanted an independent veteran QB. I’m not sure if Wilson can completely return to form, but it’s obvious that he needs a coach with discipline to reign him in when he starts taking too many chances. Hackett is NOT that coach. Unfortunately, Paton is tied to both in all likelihood, and he seems to have good instincts otherwise as s GM. I would think that if he got a do-over he’d gladly take it.
The Wilson deal was an act of immaturity – sort of like a first grader being outdone in show-and-tell and then overcompensating the next week. Could they be any worse if they kept either of last year’s QBs?
Why would they move Gordon? Williams and Boone are hurt, and Mack and Murray are the only other options they have at RB that I’m aware of.
I suppose that would be a value driven trade-one that would have happened dependent on the value they received. Gordon can play, and can be Denver’s most versatile back (he runs for power, has decent vision, catches passes, and is cognizant of coverages), but he fumbled so often that it is a legitimate concern when he’s on the field. They mix him sparingly, in recognition of his skills, but they’re too hesitant to commit to him due to the valid fumbling concerns.
This understandably has resulted in low morale for Gordon, and his role has been noticeably reduced. He hasn’t made a stink like some other players, but he did re-sign expecting to be utilized semi-equally with Williams (who is now injured). Instead, Payton’s guy Mike Boone and recent signee Latavious Murray took more Carrie’s. Some of this inconsistency too has to be part of the overall offensive clusterstuck that Denver has had, and the utter ineptitude of their coaching staff. All that combined might have made Gordon a better trade target than he would have been.