James Cook & Tyjae Spears trade - help!

[Cambrose619]

12 Man SF TE Prem

SEND:
2024 3rd
2025 2nd + 2025 3rd
2026 1st + 2026 3rd

Note: My record is 12-1, so the 2024 3rd will be late and I fully expect to be in competition the next several years as well. In my opinion, my greatest need is depth at the RB position and with Jacobs getting hurt this weekend I need an option for the playoffs in cases he misses time. The next few hours are the deadline for trades. I also believe Tyjae Spears takes on a much greater role next season, I love him as a player.

RECEIVE:
James Cook + Tyjae Spears

ROSTER:
QB: Jared Goff
RB: Bijan Robinson
RB: Josh Jacobs (Miles Sanders + Jamaal Williams + Latavius Murray - depth)
WR:Amon Ra St.Brown
WR:Ja'Marr Chase
WR:CeeDee Lamb
TE: Evan Engram + Dalton Schultz
FLEX:Garret Wilson
FLEX: Tyler Lockett
FLEX: Terry McLaurin
FLEX: OBJ / Josh Downs / Elijah Moore
QB: Baker Mayfield (Anthony Richardson + Sam Howell)

[Gator Sens]

I don't like the deal. I know the picks are a long way out but moving so much capital can catch up quickly. I could be way off but by the time the future 2nd and 1st are OTC, I am not sure where Cook and Spears will be. You have very little depth behind Jacobs long term. Cook and Spears may be that depth, but they also feel replaceable at the NFL level. Lockett, McLaurin and E. Moore are also risky long term as far as safe production looks. I think the deal feels okay now for a title push, but I don't think it ages well based on depth and options and moving important capital to continue to bring in young rookie help/hope.

Again, I could be way off here.

[TheTroll]

Can’t you simplify this a bit?

Cook = 1.10-1.12 first
Spears = 2.01-2.03 second.

Just pick one but trading all those pics is super risky.

[The.Big.Spank]

Can’t you simplify this a bit?

Cook = 1.10-1.12 first
Spears = 2.01-2.03 second.

Just pick one but trading all those pics is super risky.

x2

[Anteaters]

12 Man SF TE Prem

SEND:
2024 3rd
2025 2nd + 2025 3rd
2026 1st + 2026 3rd

I don't absolutely hate the deal because the 3rds basically equal garbage picks. Even so, I'm not excited about trading a 1st+2nd to get two guys whose careers will probably play out like Antonio Gibson's has so far.

I'm not big on the future (or even present) of either James Cook or Spears. They're just guys who can look kind of good if given enough touches, but also guys who aren't good enough to command enough touches if the team has other options. Also, both are guys who can turn 17 touches into 37yds/0TDs on a regular basis.

I don't hate the trade if you really (really really) think they can help you win now. But I'd much rather hold the picks, or target other players to trade for.

[Orenthal Shames]

Can’t you simplify this a bit?

Cook = 1.10-1.12 first
Spears = 2.01-2.03 second.

Just pick one but trading all those pics is super risky.

x2

x3. Spears likely does nothing to help you this year. I'm not sold on either player as a stable asset long-term, but Cook makes sense in a win now situation.

Try to just focus on him in this deal and rework it.

[BigBawseRoss]

i think its totally fine an extremely low risk. you can always sell one of those guys for picks later if you want picks lol

[kmbryant09]

12 Man SF TE Prem

SEND:
2024 3rd
2025 2nd + 2025 3rd
2026 1st + 2026 3rd

I don't absolutely hate the deal because the 3rds basically equal garbage picks. Even so, I'm not excited about trading a 1st+2nd to get two guys whose careers will probably play out like Antonio Gibson's has so far.

I'm not big on the future (or even present) of either James Cook or Spears. They're just guys who can look kind of good if given enough touches, but also guys who aren't good enough to command enough touches if the team has other options. Also, both are guys who can turn 17 touches into 37yds/0TDs on a regular basis.

I don't hate the trade if you really (really really) think they can help you win now. But I'd much rather hold the picks, or target other players to trade for.

Cook has fewer than 37 yards exactly once this season (though he has a second game with 39). He has 71+ yards in 10/14 games this season, he's RB #14 on the season (with just 1 rushing TD), and is 3rd in the NFL among RBs in rushing + receiving yards. He's actually been really solid and pretty consistent outside a short stretch during the middle of the season.

[tstafford]

I think it looks worse than it really is because of all the 3rds. And OP, I'm with you on liking Spears. He looks good when he plays - and that's been happening more and more.

My issue is the timing. Those picks aren't going down in value over the next six months. But FA and the draft could negatively impact either Spears, Cook or both. I think the time to do a deal like this is pre-season not the end of this one. I don't think either of these guys is going to be more expensive than a late first during rookie draft season. Plus there may be cheaper options to acquire some RB production for '24. I'd hold for now.

[Anteaters]

12 Man SF TE Prem

SEND:
2024 3rd
2025 2nd + 2025 3rd
2026 1st + 2026 3rd

I don't absolutely hate the deal because the 3rds basically equal garbage picks. Even so, I'm not excited about trading a 1st+2nd to get two guys whose careers will probably play out like Antonio Gibson's has so far.

I'm not big on the future (or even present) of either James Cook or Spears. They're just guys who can look kind of good if given enough touches, but also guys who aren't good enough to command enough touches if the team has other options. Also, both are guys who can turn 17 touches into 37yds/0TDs on a regular basis.

I don't hate the trade if you really (really really) think they can help you win now. But I'd much rather hold the picks, or target other players to trade for.

Cook has fewer than 37 yards exactly once this season (though he has a second game with 39). He has 71+ yards in 10/14 games this season, he's RB #14 on the season (with just 1 rushing TD), and is 3rd in the NFL among RBs in rushing + receiving yards. He's actually been really solid and pretty consistent outside a short stretch during the middle of the season.

I was perhaps a little low in saying 37yards, but here are some of his total yards from scrimmage for some games.
63, 77, 21, 71, 73, and 39. Cook has 4TDs on the season.
The good news is Cook has had a nice 4-game stretch. Some may say those 4 games represent the real future for Cook. Others may say it's a representation of his inherent inconsistency. Where each person falls on that determines if you're a believer in Cook or see him as a player to avoid (if better options exist).

Full disclosure, I was blah on Cook before his rookie season, and remain blah on him. I don't think he's a bad player, but his inconsistency is maddening. Somebody is going to look at his last four games and rush him into their playoff lineup over better options and it's going to cost them.

[tstafford]

I don't absolutely hate the deal because the 3rds basically equal garbage picks. Even so, I'm not excited about trading a 1st+2nd to get two guys whose careers will probably play out like Antonio Gibson's has so far.

I'm not big on the future (or even present) of either James Cook or Spears. They're just guys who can look kind of good if given enough touches, but also guys who aren't good enough to command enough touches if the team has other options. Also, both are guys who can turn 17 touches into 37yds/0TDs on a regular basis.

I don't hate the trade if you really (really really) think they can help you win now. But I'd much rather hold the picks, or target other players to trade for.

Cook has fewer than 37 yards exactly once this season (though he has a second game with 39). He has 71+ yards in 10/14 games this season, he's RB #14 on the season (with just 1 rushing TD), and is 3rd in the NFL among RBs in rushing + receiving yards. He's actually been really solid and pretty consistent outside a short stretch during the middle of the season.

I was perhaps a little low in saying 37yards, but here are some of his total yards from scrimmage for some games.
63, 77, 21, 71, 73, and 39. Cook has 4TDs on the season.
The good news is Cook has had a nice 4-game stretch. Some may say those 4 games represent the real future for Cook. Others may say it's a representation of his inherent inconsistency. Where each person falls on that determines if you're a believer in Cook or see him as a player to avoid (if better options exist).

Full disclosure, I was blah on Cook before his rookie season, and remain blah on him. I don't think he's a bad player, but his inconsistency is maddening. Somebody is going to look at his last four games and rush him into their playoff lineup over better options and it's going to cost them.

Not meaning to be argumentative nor do I have Cook on any teams. However what you describe is more or less a RB2 for FF. And while that's not all that sexy, we need those. On the season Cook is RB14 on total points and RB20 on PPG. The thing that seems to cap him (and lead to the inconsistency you elude to) is low TD equity.

Like I said, I'm not buying RB production right now unless it's a very old guy to help in a playoff push. But getting a relatively young RB who is producing as a RB2 for a late first isn't a bad deal at the right time.

[Anteaters]

Not meaning to be argumentative nor do I have Cook on any teams. However what you describe is more or less a RB2 for FF. And while that's not all that sexy, we need those. On the season Cook is RB14 on total points and RB20 on PPG. The thing that seems to cap him (and lead to the inconsistency you elude to) is low TD equity.

Like I said, I'm not buying RB production right now unless it's a very old guy to help in a playoff push. But getting a relatively young RB who is producing as a RB2 for a late first isn't a bad deal at the right time.

I agree there is an important place for RB2s in fantasy football. I guess I'm just not excited enough about RB2s unless I feel they have some sort of job security.

IMO there's a meaningful difference between Montgomery/Conner/Pacheco over the past few years and Cook this year. Those other guys have a clear spot reserved for them on their teams and a dedicated touch share. Cook seems more like Gibson/Sanders/KDrake in recent years, a RB teams use and move on from. A RB whose teams haven't fully committed to yet.

Moreso than some other RB2s, I'm uncomfortable trading value for Cook/Spears because I don't sense a commitment to them from management/coaching. I can't be certain either will be his team's primary-touch RB next year. So, I'm not excited to acquire them in dynasty.

[tstafford]

Not meaning to be argumentative nor do I have Cook on any teams. However what you describe is more or less a RB2 for FF. And while that's not all that sexy, we need those. On the season Cook is RB14 on total points and RB20 on PPG. The thing that seems to cap him (and lead to the inconsistency you elude to) is low TD equity.

Like I said, I'm not buying RB production right now unless it's a very old guy to help in a playoff push. But getting a relatively young RB who is producing as a RB2 for a late first isn't a bad deal at the right time.

I agree there is an important place for RB2s in fantasy football. I guess I'm just not excited enough about RB2s unless I feel they have some sort of job security.

IMO there's a meaningful difference between Montgomery/Conner/Pacheco over the past few years and Cook this year. Those other guys have a clear spot reserved for them on their teams and a dedicated touch share. Cook seems more like Gibson/Sanders/KDrake in recent years, a RB teams use and move on from. A RB whose teams haven't fully committed to yet.

Moreso than some other RB2s, I'm uncomfortable trading value for Cook/Spears because I don't sense a commitment to them from management/coaching. I can't be certain either will be his team's primary-touch RB next year. So, I'm not excited to acquire them in dynasty.

Agreed. I don't want to acquire them now either. I'm higher on Spears than you (I think). But still, why spend draft picks now?

[Anteaters]

Not meaning to be argumentative nor do I have Cook on any teams. However what you describe is more or less a RB2 for FF. And while that's not all that sexy, we need those. On the season Cook is RB14 on total points and RB20 on PPG. The thing that seems to cap him (and lead to the inconsistency you elude to) is low TD equity.

Like I said, I'm not buying RB production right now unless it's a very old guy to help in a playoff push. But getting a relatively young RB who is producing as a RB2 for a late first isn't a bad deal at the right time.

I agree there is an important place for RB2s in fantasy football. I guess I'm just not excited enough about RB2s unless I feel they have some sort of job security.

IMO there's a meaningful difference between Montgomery/Conner/Pacheco over the past few years and Cook this year. Those other guys have a clear spot reserved for them on their teams and a dedicated touch share. Cook seems more like Gibson/Sanders/KDrake in recent years, a RB teams use and move on from. A RB whose teams haven't fully committed to yet.

Moreso than some other RB2s, I'm uncomfortable trading value for Cook/Spears because I don't sense a commitment to them from management/coaching. I can't be certain either will be his team's primary-touch RB next year. So, I'm not excited to acquire them in dynasty.

Agreed. I don't want to acquire them now either. I'm higher on Spears than you (I think). But still, why spend draft picks now?

That's it for me. I'd definitely hold if I already had them. I'd buy if they were priced as I value them - decent options but risky. But I'm not giving up late 1sts for either right now. That's just me.