Cleveland Browns Start Their WR Makeover, Trade for Amari Cooper
A few weeks ago, it became apparent that the Dallas Cowboys were going to have to release or trade some premier talent due to salary cap reasons. Most notably for the Cowboys is WR Amari Cooper. Cooper started his career with the Raiders before being traded to Dallas in 2018. On March 12th, just days before the new year starts, the Cowboys decided to move on from Cooper, trading him to the Cleveland Browns. Let us analyze the deal, why Cooper fits Cleveland, and what this means for the Cowboys going forward.
Trade Details
Dallas Receives:
2022 5th Round Pick
2022 6th Round Pick
Cleveland Receives:
WR Amari Cooper
2022 6th Round Pick
Breaking Down Cooper
It was very obvious that the Cleveland Browns needed a number one receiver at the end of the season. They do have some nice pieces like WR Donovan Peoples-Jones and TE David Njoku, but that is really it at the moment with WR Jarvis Landry likely headed elsewhere. Cleveland receivers struggled last season to win one-on-one matchups and did not have that “go-to” receiver to hit when they needed a third-down conversion, especially after the release of WR Odell Beckham Jr.
As for Cooper, he is widely regarded as one of the best route runners in football, showing the ability to create separation. Even in a down year with a loaded Dallas receiving core, Cooper had 865 yards and 8 touchdowns in 15 games. His eight touchdowns tied a career-high, which is a number he also hit in 2019. For a career, he has 7,076 yards and 46 receiving touchdowns. The one thing that probably caused the draft picks to be lower is that Cooper is owed $20M, which is a lot for a receiver. Regardless, this move is a really nice fit for the Cleveland Browns and a reliable weapon for QB Baker Mayfield.
Jarvis Landry
Unfortunately, the trade for WR Amari Cooper most likely means Jarvis Landry’s tenure as a Cleveland Brown is over. Landry has a $16.3M cap hit, which is a lot for a number two receiver, especially with Cooper’s salary as well. Landry and the Browns have discussed a restructure, so that is still up in the air. Landry wants to add years to his deal, but Cleveland is hesitant at the moment. After the Cooper trade, Cleveland also gave Landry permission to seek a trade as well. If it is in fact the end for Landry in Cleveland, he would have played four years, hauling in 288 catches for 3,560 yards, 15 receiving touchdowns, and 4 rushing touchdowns. He was also a major part in bringing Cleveland back to relevance, as he was a part of the Browns first playoff appearance in over 20 years. In two playoff games, he scored two touchdowns. While he still has a chance to stay in Cleveland, all signs are pointing the other way.
Beginning of the End for Dallas?
The Cowboys have historically drafted very well. With that comes expensive paydays, which are now starting to catch up to the Cowboys. Cooper was the first domino to fall, but players like DE Demarcus Lawrence and OT La’el Collins could be next. Because of QB Dak Prescott and HB Ezekiel Elliott’s hefty contracts, it gives the Cowboys less wiggle room, causing really good football players to be “cap casualties”. Luckily for Dallas, they still have a ton of talent on their roster and can easily pivot off some of these players, but how many players are too many until it becomes an issue? The Cowboys will have to revamp their roster quickly, or else they can fall into a tough situation going forward.
Stats from profootballreference.com
Contract Info from spotrac.com
Trade Details from cbssports.com
Writer
-By: Richie Dordas