Few teams know Cleveland Browns star wide receiver Amari Cooper quite like the Dallas Cowboys. With trade rumors swirling around Cooper, questions arise: Could a reunion be on the horizon for the two parties?
The relationship between Cooper and the Cowboys did not end on the best note, but Dallas is currently in need of reinforcements across various positions on their roster. Clarence Hill Jr. from All City DLLS recently suggested that the Cowboys could acquire Cooper for a future fifth-round draft pick. “If the Cowboys are still in the race, they need to flip a fifth-round pick for Cooper,” Hill tweeted on September 21, 2024.
Cooper is playing in the final season of a lucrative five-year, $100 million contract he originally signed with the Cowboys. This season, the five-time Pro Bowler carries an $8.7 million cap hit. However, according to Spotrac, the Browns made adjustments to Cooper’s contract that have made him a more appealing trade option. “The Browns converted all but $1.21 million of WR Amari Cooper’s 2024 salary into a signing bonus, making him an extremely affordable trade candidate,” Spotrac reported on X on September 30, clarifying that his effective cap hit would be just $941,111, with a trade deadline figure of $605,000.
While Cooper remains a familiar figure for the Cowboys, it’s essential to recognize why he is being discussed in trade conversations. His production this season has not matched the heights of his previous Pro Bowl years. In the first four games of the season, Cooper has managed just 16 receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns, struggling to surpass 35 receiving yards in three of those matchups. This decline can partly be attributed to a Cleveland offense that has struggled to find its rhythm.
Last season, however, Cooper made a significant impact, earning Pro Bowl honors with 72 catches for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns over 15 games. It seems unlikely that Cooper has suddenly declined as an elite receiver, raising questions about the effectiveness of the Browns’ offensive scheme.
It’s worth noting that the Cowboys originally traded Cooper to the Browns in 2022, exchanging a sixth-round pick for a fifth-rounder. Thus, sending a fifth-round selection back to Cleveland would mean Dallas is offering more than they received in the previous trade.
While the prospect of bringing Cooper back to Dallas is enticing, the Cowboys have pressing issues that need addressing. Their roster has several weaknesses, particularly on the defensive line, which has struggled to generate consistent pressure and stop the run effectively. Given the importance of these positions, it can be argued that the Cowboys may have more critical needs than bolstering their receiving corps at this moment.
In conclusion, while the idea of reuniting with Amari Cooper is appealing for Cowboys fans and could potentially strengthen the offense, the team’s broader roster challenges may necessitate a more strategic approach as they consider their options before the trade deadline.