There once was a time, not long ago, a Dez Bryant reunion with the Dallas Cowboys seemed possible, but owner Jerry Jones threw shade at the free agent wide receiver instead. It's now safe to say America's Team got the player it was seeking all along.
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In a move to boost its wide receiver corps to help quarterback Dak Prescott, Dallas traded a 2019 first-round pick to the Oakland Raiders for star wide receiver Amari Cooper, who has 22 catches for 280 yards and one touchdown in 2018.
It's a move some Cowboys fans like, while others feel it was the worst decision ever.
Regardless of the nay-sayers, here are the five biggest reasons why the Cowboys did the right thing trading for Cooper.
5. Dallas Needed a No. 1 Receiver
When the Cowboys released Dez Bryant and Jason Witten retired this offseason, they were left without a top target for Dak Prescott. Some thought they might draft a wide receiver, but when they didn't pan out, Jerry Jones decided to go with the receivers they had on the roster. Clearly, through the first few weeks of the season, that didn't work.
4. The Terrance Williams Problem
IG Model Nicole Zavala Shows Up at Hotel for Escort Date With Cowboys Terrance Williams; TWill Finds Out She's Has BF & Tries to Kick Her Out; She Refuses & Threatens to Expose; Then This Happened & Cops Came (Injury Pics-Vid) https://t.co/sVY4dEayEu pic.twitter.com/mvK13TG6ik
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) October 22, 2018
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The straw that may have broke the camel's back was the investigation involving Terrance Williams and a famous Instagram model. Williams was expected to step up and be Dez Bryant's replacement, but that obviously hasn't happened since he was suspended by the NFL, is currently on injured reserve, and is now under investigation for the alleged incident in Miami.
3. The Offense's Lack of Production.
The Cowboys are struggling on offense, sitting near the bottom of the NFL in scoring. The Cowboys are averaging 20 points per game and their wide receivers only have eight touchdowns combined. By contrast, Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Calvin Ridley has six touchdowns and almost 400 yards receiving in 2018.
2. Calvin Ridley
#NFLPartner #NFLGamePass With Calvin Ridley’s three touchdown breakout performance last week, opposing defensive coordinators now have to prepare for two matchup nightmares vs. the Falcons. See more at https://t.co/RbVroWoQRQ pic.twitter.com/Y61FDE5ega
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 30, 2018
Some Cowboys fans are still steaming over the fact that the Cowboys passed up on the former Alabama Crimson Tide wideout, especially seeing his production with the Falcons this season. When the Cowboys passed up on Ridley, there was no plan B.
By trading for Cooper, they finally have a No. 1 receiver again.
1. Cooper's Production
The pump fake, the strike, the footrace...
It was all there for @derekcarrqb and @AmariCooper9. Touchdown. https://t.co/T5wQsSfx1J
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) August 27, 2017
Despite his struggles this season, Cooper has been very productive his first few years as a pro. He is a two-time Pro Bowl selection with over 3,000 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns. He is the down-field threat Dak Prescott needs in order for the Cowboys offense to be productive and free up running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Only time will tell how much Cooper boosts this offense, but it was definitely the right thing to do right now.
