Amari Cooper was the one constant that kept the Browns on track for a return to the playoffs in 2023, despite the fact that the Browns were plagued by injuries and struggles throughout the season.
The former fourth-round pick posted a career-high 1,250 yards despite missing two games and enduring a significant amount of quarterback turnover in Cleveland. He also averaged 17.4 yards per grab during his time in Cleveland. Cooper quietly has seven 1,000-yard seasons in nine years in the NFL, and it appears he’s finally found his home with the Browns.
As recently as a couple of years ago, Cooper was considered an outsider in the city of Dallas. After a rough season in 2021, the former Alabama star was traded to the Browns, which ultimately resulted in a period of revitalization for his career. Are the Cowboys now feeling sorrow for their decision?
Here’s a look at what the Cowboys obtained in the deal for Cooper and where those guys are today.A breakdown of the Amari Cooper trade: What did Cowboys receive?
The total deal saw Cooper relocated to Cleveland and three draft selections swapped:
Browns received
WR Amari Cooper 2022 sixth-round pick Cowboys obtained
2022 fifth-round selection
2022 sixth-round selection
The Cowboys received two late-round picks in the deal, and they were used on the following players:
OT Matt Waletzko (North Dakota State) LB Devin Harper (Oklahoma State)
Waletzko has played only eight offensive snaps through two NFL seasons, while Harper played just three defensive snaps for the Cowboys before he was cut last September and landed with the Bengals.
While fifth- and sixth-round picks are merely lottery tickets to begin with, this isn’t a return for the Cowboys to be proud of. They couldn’t transform Cooper into any kind of asset, barring a breakthrough from Waletzko, and they gave up an additional late-round pick (used on Michael Woods II, who has made no impact himself) in the process.
At the time, though, the move was perceived as a salary dump. Cooper was two years into a five-year, $100 million contract, and he simply didn’t play like a $20 million per year player in 2021. As the Cowboys try to hammer out a new deal with CeeDee Lamb, it’s fair to assume keeping Cooper around long-term might not have been realistic financially.
The Cowboys moved Cooper when his value was at its lowest, and that’s what stings for Dallas despite the offense humming all along last season. In 2023, the Browns battled multiple injuries and setbacks, but Amari Cooper remained a constant force, helping to keep their postseason aspirations alive. The former fourth overall choice had a career-best 1,250 receiving yards, even though he missed two games and endured with multiple changes at quarterback, averaging 17.4 yards per reception. Cooper now boasts seven 1,000-yard seasons in his nine-year NFL career and seems to have found a solid place with the Browns.
Just a few years previously, Cooper’s career in Dallas had taken a decline, resulting to a 2021 move to Cleveland, which rejuvenated the former Alabama standout’s career. Now, the question arises: do the Cowboys regret that trade?
Here’s a breakdown of the trade details:
Browns received: – WR Amari Cooper – 2022 sixth-round pick
Cowboys received:
– 2022 fifth-round pick
– 2022 sixth-round pick
The Cowboys used their draft picks to select OT Matt Waletzko (North Dakota State) and LB Devin Harper (Oklahoma State). Waletzko has had little experience, playing just eight offensive snaps in two seasons, while Harper appeared in three defensive snaps before being dismissed and joining the Bengals.
While fifth- and sixth-round picks are always long chances, the Cowboys have little to show for the transaction. They couldn’t capitalize on Cooper’s value, and gave up an additional pick, which Cleveland used to draft Michael Woods II, who has had a little influence.
At the time, the move was perceived as a salary dump, as Cooper was in the third year of a five-year, $100 million contract, and his 2021 performance didn’t warrant a $20 million annual pay. Though the Cowboys’ offense continued to perform well following the trade, it’s reasonable to question whether keeping Cooper would have been a wiser financial option, especially as they now face challenges with CeeDee Lamb’s contract discussions. The Cowboys traded Cooper when his worth was at its lowest, and that choice continues to sting.
