The Patriots are trading wide receiver Brandin Cooks and a fourth-round pick to the LA Rams, league sources told ESPN.
In a tweet Wednesday evening, ESPN's NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported that New England will receive the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft and a sixth-round pick in exchange for Cooks and a fourth-round pick.
The Patriots and Rams had discussed a potential Brandin Cooks trade for over a month, while the Rams and New York Giants also discussed a potential Odell Beckham Jr. trade, according to Schefter.
Cooks had a short tenure with New England, as Bill Belichick traded for the wide receiver last year, sending a first-round pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for Cooks.
This trade is somewhat of a surprising move considering Cooks went for over 1,000 yards, had 65 receptions and caught seven touchdown passes last season.
The 24-year-old had 10 catches for 155 yards in the postseason but suffered a bad concussion in the Super Bowl.
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Cooks had only one year left on his contract with the Patriots.
The Pats have lost several offensive pieces this offseason, with Danny Amendola signing with Miami, Dion Lewis going to Tennessee, and Nate Solder leaving for the New York Giants, all via free agency.
Following the Cooks trade, the Patriots now have two first-round picks in the upcoming draft.
New England also has two second-round picks, putting them in prime position to move up in the draft and select a quarterback if they see fit.
With this Cooks trade, it is unlikely the Patriots will trade Rob Gronkowski as some have speculated, although there is still some uncertainty whether Gronk will play football next season.
NBC Boston sports anchor Raul Martinez believes Tom Brady and the Patriots still have a strong receiving corp if Malcolm Mitchell returns from injury.
New England's current receivers are Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Mitchell, Cordarrelle Patterson, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett and Matthew Slater.
