While the frenzy of free agency might be starting to cool down, there is still plenty of movement as the NFL offseason rolls along. With the draft coming up next month, teams are finding ways to improve their teams either through the acquisition of players or the acquisition of draft picks.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the major stories of the week around the National Football League.
Texans And Cowboys Make Intrastate Trade
Wide receiver Brandon Cooks will still be playing his home games in the Lone Star State next season, just not in the same city. On Sunday, the Houston Texans traded the 29-year-old to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fifth-round pick this year and a sixth-round pick next season.
In 13 games with the Texans last season, Cooks had 57 receptions for 699 yards and three touchdowns. This was certainly a dip from his previous two seasons in Houston, where he had surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in both with six touchdowns in each season.
Still, the Cowboys look at Cooks as a missing weapon, someone who can add a downfield threat for quarterback Dak Prescott.
The Cowboys currently have the second-best odds of winning the NFC East at +175.
Back to the Texans, they also made news this week in the form of an extension for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. On the same day as the trade, the Texans signed Tunsil to a three-year deal worth $75 million. $50 million of the deal is guaranteed.
For the Texans, they have the worst odds of winning the AFC South at +850. Still, they are a team to watch in the upcoming draft as they hold two picks in the top 15.
Jets Trade A Wide Receiver And Sign Another
Brandon Cooks wasn’t the only receiver traded this week. On Wednesday, the New York Jets traded wide receiver Elijah Moore and the No. 74 overall pick to the Cleveland Browns for the No. 42 overall pick.
Moore, who will turn 23 later this month, played in all 16 games this season, amassing 37 receptions for 446 yards and a touchdown. This was certainly a step back from his rookie season, when he had 43 receptions for 538 yards and five scores.
Still, Moore gives another weapon for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
While the Jets traded away a wide receiver, they signed another one. New York brought in Mecole Hardman on a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million. Between Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Hardman, and Corey Davis, the Jets have quite the wide receiving room, something that will be awfully appealing to Aaron Rodgers if he indeed gets traded to the Jets.
Currently, the Jets are currently tied for the sixth-best odds of winning the Super Bowl at +1500. As for the Browns, they are +3500 to win it all.
Lions Bring In Gardner-Johnson To Boost Defense
It wasn’t too long ago that the Detroit Lions were the laughingstock of the NFC North. Now, they are the favorites to win the division at +130. This week, they helped their chances by bringing in a major piece on defense in the form of safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
The 25-year-old agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $8 million. The deal comes with $6.5 million guaranteed.
Last season, with Philadelphia, Gardner-Johnson had 67 tackles, one sack, and six interceptions for the Eagles. He will now try to help a defense that ranked 28th in scoring defense, allowing 25.1 points per game.
