Few teams know Cleveland Browns star receiver Amari Cooper like the Dallas Cowboys. Now, there are whispers about him being a potential trade target. Could the Cowboys be considering a reunion with Cooper?
Although the departure wasn’t on the best terms, Dallas is in need of roster improvements. Clarence Hill Jr. from All City DLLS suggested that the Cowboys could acquire Cooper for a future fifth-round pick.
“If the Cowboys are still in contention, they should trade a fifth-round pick for Cooper,” Hill mentioned in a post on X on September 21, 2024.
Cooper is in the last year of a five-year, $100 million deal he originally signed with Dallas, and he has an $8.7 million cap hit this season. However, the Browns made adjustments to his contract, making him more appealing for trade.
“The Browns converted nearly all of WR Amari Cooper’s 2024 salary into a signing bonus, making him a very affordable trade option. Current salary: $941,111; Deadline: $605,000,” Spotrac stated on X on September 30.
It’s important to highlight why Cooper is being discussed in trade rumors. His performance this season hasn’t matched his Pro Bowl years.
In the first four games, Cooper has recorded 16 receptions for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns, with three of those games yielding 35 or fewer receiving yards. The Cleveland offense isn’t exactly firing on all cylinders.
Last season, Cooper earned a Pro Bowl nod with 72 catches for 1,250 yards and 5 touchdowns in 15 games. It seems unlikely that he has suddenly declined as an elite receiver over the offseason.
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For context, the Cowboys traded Cooper to the Browns in 2022, swapping a sixth-round pick for a fifth-round pick. Therefore, sending a fifth-round selection to Cleveland now would mean giving up more than what Dallas originally received.
The Cowboys roster has several weaknesses, and there’s a strong case that they have more urgent needs than at receiver. Specifically, the defensive line has struggled to generate consistent pressure and stop the run.
With DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons now injured, the situation on defense has worsened. However, acquiring Cooper could help address a need, even if it’s not the top priority.
Dallas has had difficulty finding production from wide receivers beyond CeeDee Lamb. With Brandin Cooks also out due to injury, the pressure on the receiving corps has increased. USA Today’s K.D. Drummond suggested that the Cowboys should consider pursuing Cooper again.
“Cooper made headlines this summer by threatening a holdout, which resulted in the final year of his contract (originally negotiated by the Cowboys) being guaranteed,” Drummond wrote in a September 28 article titled “Amari Cooper Headlines 5 AFC North Trade Targets Cowboys Must Ask About Before NFL Deadline.” “If the Browns continue to struggle, Cleveland’s front office might be willing to let him go back to Dallas.”
“Cooper had a career-high 1,250 yards in 2024 and would be a great complement to Lamb; they’ve already shown their potential as a duo.”
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