Three takeaways from Amari Cooper acquisition

And just like that, the Dallas Cowboys have answered their need for wide receiver, or so they think. It was reported yesterday that the Dallas Cowboys had begun to do some research on the availability of Oakland Raiders wide out, Amari Cooper. The asking price at the time was a first round pick would need to be involved.

Cowboys traded a first-round pick to Raiders for WR Amari Cooper, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2018

The Cowboys were dealt a huge blow yesterday as Brett Maher’s game tying field goal clanged off the goal post at the end of regulation. What usually happens after a devastating loss? Overreaction. And that’s exactly what this is right here.

Prove It Moment

To me, this deal seems like a make or break moment for Dak Prescott. The 40-7 beatdown of the Jacksonville Jaguars clearly wasn’t a reflection of the Cowboys offense back on track, as they were stifled throughout yesterdays game in Washington. Is it the wide receiving corps? Play-calling? The depleted offensive-line?

The fact is Amari Cooper has a ton of potential and has had a few moments throughout his career. You have to remember that Cooper was the fourth overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. He had back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons upon entering the league, but his production has dramatically dropped off since.

Allen Hurns isn’t a number one wideout, and Beasley must be in the slot to have the type of production he can provide. Cooper, on the other hand is a number one and will be utilized as such.

Prescott now has the kind of guy who should be able to keep defenses honest, which should open up more opportunities for Prescott. If he can’t, maybe the Cowboys will have one of those questions I mentioned earlier answered.

Steep Asking Price

Look, I like Cooper, and when news broke yesterday saying the Cowboys were looking into it, I got excited. Then I remembered how much the Raiders were asking for his services, and I backed off the Cooper to Dallas campaign.

Life as a Dallas Cowboys fan is brutal. No other team can provide the amount of stress and devastation than this Cowboys team, and this move just proves it.

The Cowboys do need help at receiver. It’s blatantly obvious. You watch the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, and New England Patriots. Are you ever surprised when a receiver hauls in a pass? No. When Dak gets a pass downfield for a catch, my jaw hits the floor.

Yes, they indeed needed some help at receiver. They also needed help at safety and they refused to give up a first rounder or second rounder for All-Pro safety, Earl Thomas. Price was too high. Okay no problem. I get it.

Now they give it to a guy who has had his production fall off since 2016. It was clearly an overreaction to a loss yesterday that left that nasty taste in your mouth. Management panicked. Cowboys fans once again blasting Jason Garrett for his coaching down the stretch and the bland play-calling of Scott Linehan. Some started to again question the skills of Dak Prescott.

Jerry and Stephen Jones answered it with this….

2018 and Beyond

The Dallas Cowboys now have a bye week, so they will have a little over two weeks to get their newly acquired toy up to speed with their offense. Can Cooper show signs of his first few years in the league and provide a huge lift to the offense? Yes, he can.

That is not the problem, however. You give up a first rounder for guys that have continually produced. This is a huge gamble. Who knows where the Cowboys will finish this season, and how much value that pick could hold as the season concludes.

The team, believe it or not, doesn’t have that many holes. The defense continues to improve. If Cooper provides that lift and that number one wide receiver, then the pick doesn’t hurt as bad. But that is a huge if.