4 former Dallas Cowboys that could thrive on new teams in 2022

Former Dallas Cowboys to thrive No. 1: Amari Cooper, WR

Releasing La’el Collins to save some money wasn’t the only cap-related move Dallas made this offseason. It wasn’t even the most impactful one.

That distinction belongs to their decision to trade Amari Cooper for a mere fifth-round pick. Make no mistake about it, this was a bad move by Dallas.

Dallas went from having four capable receivers with NFL experience (Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb, and Cedrick Wilson) to just two. They did use some of the money saved on Cooper to retain Gallup and franchise tag Dalton Schultz at tight end, but they lost Wilson.

And the only way they could have remotely justified this move is if it led to keeping all three of their free agents.

Now, they have Lamb, Gallup — who is coming off a torn ACL — rookie Jalen Tolbert, and James Washington who didn’t ever live up to his second-round draft status in Pittsburgh. Yes, there’s hope that Tolbert can be a key contributor but with Gallup coming back from a serious injury, he might be relied upon right out of the gate.

As for Cooper, he ended up in a pretty good spot since the Cleveland Browns where he’s going to work with Deshaun Watson — although he is possibly facing a suspension. Even if Watson is out for an extended time, Jacoby Brissett is capable of getting the ball to Cooper.

And Cooper is also the only proven star in this receiving corps. Donovan Peoples-Jones has yet to hit 600-yards and David Njoku at tight end is full of potential but hasn’t put it all together.

Add all this up and Cooper could very well have a phenomenal season in Cleveland.