Few teams know Cleveland Browns star receiver as well as the Dallas Cowboys. Now, He is rumored to be a potential trade target. Could the Cowboys be interested in bringing him back?
Though their parting wasn’t entirely smooth, Dallas needs reinforcements across the roster. Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS speculated that Dallas could acquire Him for a future fifth-round pick.
“If the Cowboys remain in contention, they should trade a fifth-round pick for Cooper,” Hill mentioned in a September 21, 2024, post on X.
He is in the final year of a five-year, $100 million deal originally signed with the Cowboys. The five-time Pro Bowler was expected to carry an $8.7 million cap hit this season, but Spotrac noted that a recent restructuring of his contract by the Browns has made him a more viable trade candidate.
“The Browns converted most of WR Amari Cooper’s 2024 salary into a signing bonus, making him a very affordable trade option. Now: $941,111 Deadline: $605,000,” Spotrac posted on X on September 30.
Can Amari Cooper Still Help the Cowboys?
It’s important to highlight why Cooper’s name is circulating in trade rumors. His performance this season hasn’t matched the level of his previous Pro Bowl seasons.
In the first four games, Cooper has recorded 16 receptions for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns. In three of those games, he had 35 or fewer receiving yards, though the Cleveland offense as a whole isn’t operating smoothly.
Cooper made the Pro Bowl in 2023, finishing with 72 catches for 1,250 yards and 5 touchdowns in 15 starts. It’s hard to imagine he suddenly declined as a top-tier receiver over the offseason.
It’s also worth remembering that the Cowboys traded Cooper to the Browns in 2022, exchanging a sixth-round pick for a fifth-round pick. If Dallas were to send a fifth-rounder back to Cleveland, they’d be offering more than they originally got in return.
The Cowboys Have Glaring Holes at Multiple Positions
The Cowboys’ roster has several weaknesses, and one could argue that there are more urgent areas to address than wide receiver. The defensive line, in particular, has struggled to consistently apply pressure or stop the run.
One year ago, @AmariCooper9 was traded to the Cowboys.
He's done nothing but cook CBs in Dallas 🔥 (via @NFL pic.twitter.com/6dnNp86SiE
— ESPN (@espn) October 22, 2019
With injuries to DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons, the situation on the defensive front becomes even more concerning. Still, Amari Cooper’s availability could fill a gap, though it may not be the team’s top priority.
Outside of CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys have had difficulty getting production from their wide receivers. Brandin Cooks is now also injured, putting additional strain on the group. K.D. Drummond of USA Today recently suggested that Dallas should consider reacquiring Cooper.
“Cooper made headlines this summer, threatening a holdout, and had the final year of his Cowboys-written contract guaranteed,” Drummond noted in his September 28 piece titled, “Amari Cooper headlines 5 AFC North trade targets Cowboys must ask about before NFL deadline.” He added that if the Browns continue to struggle, Cleveland’s front office might consider sending Cooper back to Dallas.
Cooper posted a career-best 1,250 receiving yards in 2024 and would be an excellent complement to Lamb, with their previous success as a tandem already proven.
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