Patriots trade DE Chandler Jones to Arizona

After seeing Tom Brady get pressured excessively in the AFC Championship Game against Denver, the New England Patriots decided they needed some additional help along their offensive line, as the team announced that they acquired G Jonathan Cooper and a 2016 second-round draft pick (61st overall) in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for DE Chandler Jones.

"I’m coming into a great organization, a great situation and I’m just super excited about the opportunity I have to play and learn so much from such a great coaching staff," said Cooper.

Cooper, 26, is a veteran of three NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, but has not performed as expected during his professional career. The 6-foot-2, 312-pounder originally joined Arizona as a first-round draft pick (seventh overall) out of North Carolina in the 2013 NFL Draft.

After missing his entire rookie season in 2013 due to injury, Cooper appeared in 10 games with two starts at left guard in 2014. Last season, Cooper played in 14 games with nine starts at right guard. He played as a reserve in both of the Arizona postseason games. Cooper started a school record of 48 games for North Carolina and was a three-time All-ACC selection and earned All-America honors as a senior.

If Cooper can secure a starting spot, that would be a bonus to New England because the real prize for the Patriots in this deal is the acquisition of Arizona's second round pick.

Jones, 26, is a veteran of four seasons with New England after joining the team as a first-round draft pick (21st overall) out of Syracuse in the 2012 NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder is an excellent pass rusher, and has accumulated 217 total tackles, 36 sacks, one interception, nine passes defensed, 10 forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries during his career. He played in nine postseason games with eight starts and added 18 total tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble.

Jones' loss is significant, but faced with the prospect of having to sign several other quality players from their defense, the Patriots likely felt they had to let him go.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services