Report: Cowboys deal for Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper
The Dallas Cowboys may have finally found their No. 1 wide receiver. The club reportedly solved that issue Monday, dealing for Oakland Raiders wideout Amari Cooper, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson.
The 24-year-old Cooper has 22 catches for 280 yards and one touchdown with the Raiders this season. Cooper — who was drafted with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft — went over 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons in the league. His numbers decreased last season, as Cooper put up 680 yards in 14 games while battling through a foot injury.
Cooper has gotten off to an inconsistent start in 2018. He had three games where he was held under 20 yards receiving, but two where he exceeded 115 yards. Cooper left the team’s Week 6 game against the Seattle Seahawks with a concussion. The Raiders were on a bye in Week 7.
The Cowboys paid a hefty price for Cooper, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The team will reportedly give up a first-round pick.
Cooper is in the fourth year of his rookie deal. The Raiders picked up his fifth-year option, ensuring Cooper will make a little under $14 million in 2019. After that, he’s set to be a free agent unless the Cowboys can work out a long-term deal.
Two things on Amari Cooper to #Cowboys:
1. Dallas was committed to taking a WR high in 2019 draft, likely in first round. This secures that process earlier, with a proven young talent.
2. Once Dallas was told Cooper was OK holding off on extension talks, the deal was happening.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) October 22, 2018
When it came to that first round price tag, #Cowboys were bidding against themselves on #Raiders Amari Cooper. Oakland wasn’t getting that elsewhere.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) October 22, 2018
The deal gives the Raiders three first-round picks in the 2019 draft. The Raiders have their usual pick, the Cowboys’ pick and the Chicago Bears‘ first-round pick from the Khalil Mack trade.
The Cooper deal signals that the team is embracing a full rebuild as Cooper may not be the only talented player shipped out during the season. Raiders offensive lineman Jonathan Feliciano is already preparing for that reality.
— Jonathan Feliciano (@MongoFeliciano) October 22, 2018
In Jon Gruden’s first season back at the helm, the Raiders have struggled. The team is just 1-5, which may have influenced Gruden to take a high draft pick for Cooper.
Gruden should have plenty of time to coach up those new draft picks. He’s only in the first year of his massive 10-year, $100 million deal with the Raiders.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
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