The Dallas Cowboys could be looking to trade for Amari Cooper, the Cleveland Browns’ star receiver. The Cowboys are quite familiar with Cooper, who is now considered a trade candidate.
Despite a rocky end to their previous relationship, Dallas is in need of roster help, and All City DLLS’ Clarence Hill Jr. suggested they might secure Cooper for a future fifth-round pick.
“If the Cowboys are still in the race, they need to flip a fifth-round pick for Cooper,” Hill stated in a September 21, 2024, post on X.
Cooper is in the last year of a five-year, $100 million deal he initially signed with Dallas, carrying an $8.7 million cap hit this season. Spotrac noted that the Browns restructured his contract, making him more tradeable.
“The Browns converted all but $1.21M of WR Amari Cooper’s 2024 salary into a signing bonus, making him an extremely affordable trade candidate. Now: $941,111 Deadline: $605,000,” Spotrac mentioned on X on September 30.
Can Amari Cooper Still Help the Cowboys?
Cooper would be a familiar asset for the Cowboys, but his production this season hasn’t matched his previous Pro Bowl performances. In the first four games, he recorded 16 receptions for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns, struggling to exceed 35 receiving yards in three of those contests, which could be attributed to the Browns’ inconsistent offense.
In 2023, Cooper made the Pro Bowl with 72 catches for 1,250 yards and 5 touchdowns in 15 games, so it’s hard to believe he has suddenly declined.
Recall that the Cowboys traded Cooper to the Browns in 2022 for a sixth-round pick in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Thus, sending a fifth-round selection back to Cleveland would be a greater investment than what they received.
The Cowboys Have Glaring Holes at Multiple Positions
The Cowboys’ roster has numerous weaknesses, and it can be argued that they need to address more urgent areas than receiver. Their defensive line has struggled with consistent pressure and run defense, and injuries to DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons exacerbate these issues. However, acquiring Cooper could still address a need, even if it’s not the most pressing one.
Dallas has had difficulties finding production from receivers aside from CeeDee Lamb, and with Brandin Cooks injured, the situation has become even more critical. USA Today’s K.D. Drummond supported the idea of the Cowboys pursuing Cooper again.
“Cooper made waves this summer, threatening a holdout and got the final year of his contract (originally written by the Cowboys) guaranteed,” Drummond wrote in a September 28 article titled, “Amari Cooper headlines 5 AFC North trade targets Cowboys must ask about before NFL deadline.” “But if the Browns continue to flounder, perhaps the Cleveland front office would bite the bullet and send him back down south.
“Cooper had a career high in yards in 2024, 1,250, and would make a great complement to Lamb; they’ve proven what they could be as a duo already.”
