Amari Cooper should be an option for the Cleveland Browns

Cowboys are likely to cut Amari Cooper and the Browns should start calling.

The Dallas Cowboys are likely to cut Amari Cooper, their major trade acquisition from the Oakland Raiders just three years prior. Cooper cost the Cowboys a first-round pick and was gonna cost them about $20 million this season, making his release all but likely. The Cowboys are trying to trade him but no one is going to take on the contract and when he hits the free agency market, he should be one of the names the Cleveland Browns are all over.

Cooper wasn’t worth $20 million, and it’s likely he’s not a real number one receiver, but the Browns need big-play targets and Cooper, on a moderate, three-year deal, would be ideal for not only Cooper but the Browns. The Browns would obviously be able to get a manageable deal considering Cooper’s reputation has taken a hit. Since he’s no longer seen as a number one, Cooper may be willing to take a two-year contract, with a third-year option, to help get his reputation back.

There are several high-profile receivers but with so much talent in the draft, and many more heading to free agency, It seems unlikely that Cooper is going to get anywhere close to what he got in Dallas. In fact, dare I say, I’d hazard a guess that Cooper would get significantly less than what Jarvis Landry is getting paid now.

Landing Amari Cooper for the right price is paramount for the Cleveland Browns

A guy like Chris Goodwin could warrant me over-paying for him. He’s not only young-ish, but he’s also crazy athletic and has game-breaking skills. If he’s only 90% of what he was, that’s still worth it. Amari Cooper has been in a spread offense most of his career and we know what he is and what he isn’t. Getting him would be a huge boon for the Cleveland Browns, but only if he comes in on a good deal.

Cooper isn’t worth $20 million or anywhere close to that. The Browns do need talent of his caliber at receiver, if Baker Mayfield is ever going to unlock the next gear he needs talent like Cooper, that said, the Browns need more than just Cooper.

The Browns have a great defensive end in Myles Garrett, but they still aren’t a great pass-rushing defense, and that’s just not possible in 2022 while expecting to win. The Browns were 19th in pressure, and 9th in sacks, telling us that a lot of the Browns sacks were coverage sacks. The team needs to invest serious money into the defensive line, with or without Jadeveon Clowney returning.

Balancing the need to improve the team’s pass and rush defense, and bringing in top-flight talent is going to be tricky and that’s why the Browns can’t overpay for Cooper. If it were Cooper Kupp or Ja’Marr Chase who was a free agent, break the bank, but we know that’s not Cooper. So be wise with how much you offer the potential-pending-free agent and go from there.