The Dallas Cowboys want to keep Amari Cooper on their roster but if they have to make a cost-cutting move, these 4 teams could try and bring him in
On one hand, the Dallas Cowboys would love to keep Amari Cooper. While they do have CeeDee Lamb, Cooper is still the most complete and accomplished receiver on the team. On the other hand, they would also love to free up some cap space.
Stephen Jones said as much recently when he reminded us all the cap is real (it isn’t but sure Stephen) and made sure to remind fans they can’t afford players because of Dak Prescott.
Dallas Cowboys not thrilled with Amari Cooper?
Jones also threw a little shade at Cooper, saying they pay him enough that he should be one of the best at what he does.
"“It sometimes not all on the receiver. It’s scheme. It’s getting the receiver the ball. It’s the targets … But if you’re going to pay somebody a lot of money, you want them to be the best at what they do … with that comes high expectations.” – Jones on Cooper courtesy of Jon Machota"
For Cooper, 2021 was not his best season and that’s led to some speculation that the Cowboys could try and move on from his salary, which would allow them to keep a few of their upcoming free agents. Should that come to fruition, these four teams would be logical landing spots.
Amari Cooper landing Spot No. 4: Indianapolis Colts
Right now, the Indianapolis Colts have a pretty average receiving corps. Michael Pittman is carrying the group and they could surely use another game-changer to help him out. Adding Cooper would give them that while also helping them accurately gauge what they have in Carson Wentz.
Indianapolis came up just shy of the postseason in his first year with the Colts and Wentz took much of the blame. However, it would be fair to see what he could do with a more complete receiving corps, which is what Cooper’s addition would give them.
Amari Cooper landing Spot No. 3: Cleveland Browns
Another team that fell short of expectation in 2021 was the Cleveland Browns. After winning 11 games in 2020 and securing their first playoff win since the 1990s, Cleveland took a major step backward this past year.
One of the big problems for them was the health of quarterback Baker Mayfield who suffered a partially torn shoulder labrum in Week 2. He also had a fracture in his shoulder as well as a knee and ankle injury throughout the year.
He pushed through the pain – although he probably shouldn’t have since it hurt his stock immensely – but the team finished 8-9 and out of the playoffs.
As much as Mayfield’s play cost the Browns, their lack of great talent at wide receiver may have hurt them even more. Odell Beckham, Jr. forced his way out and was never really a factor even before that, and Jarvis Landry looked to have lost a step – which is not ideal considering he was already a player who never ran deep routes.
Looking ahead to 2021, they need to make some big moves, and instead of just hoping to find a rookie at pick No. 13 who can come in and help, they could be proactive and add Amari Cooper should the Dallas Cowboys move on.
For some perspective on how much Cooper would help, his sub-standard season in 2021 where he had 68 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns would have made him far and away the best pass-catcher in Cleveland.
Amari Cooper landing Spot No. 2: Washington Commanders
This is one that almost happened ahead of the 2020 season. When Amari Cooper hit free agency ahead of the 2020 season, the Washington Commanders (who were the Washington Football Team at the time) were in discussions with Cooper’s agent about bringing the former Alabama star to the nation’s capital.
There were even reports that suggested Washington offered Cooper more than the five-year $100 million deal he signed with Dallas, and while that might be true, it wasn’t exactly apples-to-apples. Cooper stood to make more in Dallas since there was no income tax, which means he likely still took the deal that was best for him.
Now if Cooper were to become available again, there seems to be no doubt the Commanders would again be interested. They have seen Cooper up close and personal several times since he joined the Dallas Cowboys back in 2018 and they understand how dangerous he can be.
Washington, unlike the aforementioned Browns, does have already have a legit No. 1 receiver on their roster in Terry McLaurin. He has over 1,000-yards in each of the past two seasons with his 919-yard performance in 2019 being the least productive of his career.
Pairing McLaurin and Cooper wouldn’t be a move to fix a receiving corps but instead would turn them into a potential powerhouse at the position.
Amari Cooper landing Spot No. 1: Kansas City Chiefs
After an explosive first half against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game, the Kansas City Chiefs offense couldn’t get anything going. With the Bengals figuring out how to slow down Tyreek Hill, Patrick Mahomes struggled to get the ball moving with the same ease he showed to start the game.
While the Chiefs were just minutes from a victory that would have put them in the Super Bowl for the third season in a row, this seemed to be a common theme in 2021. Mahomes was constantly having to play hero ball and when Hill was shut down, the offense could get stagnant.
This isn’t to say the cupboard was empty as they do still have Travis Kelce at tight end and Mecole Hardman was able to record 693 yards as the second wideout. However, there were just too many instances where some of their role players weren’t creating when it was needed the most.
For that reason, Kansas City could look to make a huge splash and add Amari Cooper. With him on the same field as Hill and Kelce, this offense would be completely unstoppable.
As for the money, that could be the one thing that keeps this from happening. However, the Chiefs aren’t terrible cap-strapped as they have more than $14 million available according to OverTheCap.com.
They would still need to make some moves to afford Cooper and sign any other free agents as well as their rookie class, but it would be worth it for them as they look to get back into the postseason in 2022.