Amari Cooper Trade is a Huge Gamble for Dallas Cowboys
The Oakland Raiders could not pass up an opportunity to acquire another first-round pick. The Dallas Cowboys finally addressed their biggest need and added a potential #1 receiver in Amari Cooper. The trade, which was completed earlier today, sent Dallas' 2019 first round pick to Oakland in exchange for the two-time Pro Bowler. The Raiders now have stockpiled five #1 picks over the next two NFL Drafts to help Jon Gruden overhaul their roster. They also sold high on a player that had under-performed over the last season and a half. The Cowboys were desperate to add an impact player to their offense and give Dak Prescott a proven playmaker. Only time will tell if the 24-year old is worth the gamble.
For the first two years of his pro career, Cooper looked like a superstar in the making. He caught 155 passes for 2,223 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Raiders. Then last year, he only caught 48 balls for 680 yards, but he did haul in a career-high seven touchdowns. This season, he has never fit into Gruden's system and has 22 catches for just 280 yards and one touchdown. Cooper also suffered a concussion against the Seahawks last week.
The Dallas Cowboys did not address their receiving needs this offseason when they waived Dez Bryant and lost Jason Witten to retirement. The team is currently 28th in the NFL in passing offense, but the addition of Cooper should change that. The only question is which version of the former Alabama star did Jerry Jones just acquire? If he paid a first round pick for the 2015 and 2016 version, the Cowboys will have their first true #1 receiver since Dez. It will also give ownership a much better idea if Prescott should cash in after next season now that he has a top receiver option.
However, 10 years ago Jones sent first and third round picks to the Detroit Lions for Roy Williams and later signed him to a $54 million extension. Williams never fit in with the Cowboys and that trade is considered the worst deal in the team's history. Did Jones make the same mistake with Cooper or did Dallas just add a young superstar in the making? Only time will tell.