3 Teams Who Have a Shot at Amari Cooper
“We Dem Boyz” or “this is our year” is the slogan that most Dallas Cowboys‘ fans yell right after the NFL Draft and into the season, and the superstar-filled team thrills the NFC East and fills every Silver and Blue Fan with joy. Unfortunately, at the season’s end, the slogan turns into “Help is on the way!” This may be the case once again, but part of the help may be out the door this offseason at the start of free agency. Is Amari Cooper on to “greener pastures,” and if so, who lands the coveted WR?
The Dallas Cowboys are actually in good shape when it comes to cap space. Per spotrac.com, the team is looking at almost $74M in space in 2020. Sure, they have some notable people they need to sign like QB Dak Prescott, TE Blake Jarwin, and CB Byron Jones, but Jerry Jones made it very clear one of the team’s priorities was locking up Cooper for the long term. However, should they fail to seal the deal on an offer to the former Oakland Raiders‘ WR, he may get to test the market.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Cowboys expect to use the franchise tag on Dak Prescott. That tag is being reportedly worth $26.9M, leaving $47.1M in cap space to bring back a few players. The last thing the team wants is a holdout from Dak. So, realistically, to sign the player long term, it will cost the Boys +$40M per year, leaving them with roughly $33M left to sign other players. Does America’s team want to blow their entire cap on two players and only have roughly $11M left to play with?
All it would take to lock up Cooper at market value is $19.5M per year, which is comparable to Julio Jones and Michael Thomas. Should the former Alabama Star get greedy, he could push for Julio money ($22M per year), and here are three ball clubs that would actually make it rain.
Miami Dolphins
No, their current team needs do not have WR at the top of the list, but the sands of South Beach look very appealing to any player looking to get a bag and some sun. Did I mention Cooper is from Miami? I’m sure whoever the team happens to draft would be thankful to have two dominant targets in Cooper and DeVante Parker to throw to. Cap-wise, they are sitting pretty with the league-high $83.8M in cap space. Look for this team to throw their hat in the ring should this former 4th overall pick hit free agency.
Indianapolis Colts
WR is a glaring need in this organization and boy to they have the funds. With $81M in cap space, if the team is committed to Jacoby Brissett going forward, they’ll need to surround him with the firepower to keep him competitive with the emerging AFC South. With TE Eric Ebron needing to seek employment elsewhere, this just makes sense to grab another set of hands that is aggressive after the catch.
Buffalo Bills
Laugh, but this is a team on the upward trend. Yes, they don’t have the most appealing nightlife like Miami or the historic Motor Speedway of Indianapolis, but what they do have is that bag ($80M) and a relatively young team with an average age of 26. Josh Allen is not the most appealing QB and Coop has better options on the table, but I am sure he wouldn’t mind stopping by the Buffalo Chophouse as the Pegula Family attempt to lure him to Bills Nation.
The future for Amari looks bright as he gets closer to March 18th. He will either get locked up for the long term prior to the deadline or may seek a market-setting deal with one of these three ballclubs.