Trade Proposal: Cowboys Send Amari Cooper to Jets For Two Draft Picks

In this trade proposal, the Jets would receive Cowboys wideout Amari Cooper, taking their offense to new heights.

Amari Cooper is expected to be released by the Cowboys as Dallas attempts to clear cap space before the start of free agency.

But what if the Cowboys instead traded Cooper?

Mike Fisher of Cowboys Country recently reported that Dallas has been attempting to shop the star receiver, hoping to recoup some value rather than simply cutting ties due to a financial bind. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport delivered a similar report last week. 

Cooper, 27, is certainly talented enough to draw some interest. The former first-round pick has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in five of his seven NFL seasons. While Cooper's production dipped slightly in 2021—865 receiving yards on 68 catches—he tied a career high with eight touchdowns. 

The problem here is that Cooper is guaranteed $20 million. There aren't too many teams that need a top wide receiver and have the cap space to afford his contract.

In the spirit of speculation, Bleacher Report presented three different trade proposals for Cooper this week. One deal involved the Jaguars, one was with the Browns and the other sent Cooper to the Jets. 

New York certainly fits the mold of a club that would be interested in a player like Cooper. They have the draft capital to make a deal happen and they have more cap space than the vast majority of the league. 

Before we break this down any further, here's a look at Bleacher Report's proposal, with some of Kristopher Knox's analysis:

Trade Proposal: Dallas Cowboys Send Amari Cooper to New York Jets

Check out the details of this Amari Cooper trade proposal (via Bleacher Report). Then, we'll break this down with some more analysis.

Trade Package

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New York Jets receive: Amari Cooper

Dallas Cowboys receive: 2022 second-round pick (38th overall), 2023 third-round pick

Like the Browns and the Jaguars, the New York Jets could use a proven receiver in their offense. New York is trying to develop 2021 second overall pick Zach Wilson and ranked just 30th in passing a season ago. Rookie Elijah Moore led the Jets with 538 receiving yards. Like the Jaguars, the Jets are loaded with cap capital. New York is projected to have $44.7 million available, sixth-most in the NFL. In this scenario, the Jets offer up the second-round pick they acquired from the Carolina Panthers in the Sam Darnold trade. New York would get to keep its own second-round selection (35th overall) while adding a receiver who can help Wilson improve. Wilson finished his inaugural NFL campaign with a lowly passer rating of 69.7. Aiding him should be the Jets' primary offseason focus. Dallas, meanwhile, would get a valuable piece of draft capital to help reload the roster at a reasonable rookie price point. — Knox

Should the Jets Make This Deal?

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Again, let's preface this situation with the fact that Cooper is expected to be released. And it makes sense that he would be. Why would teams want to pay a significant price for Cooper's services and say goodbye to a handful of draft picks. Plus, even after restructuring the contracts of QB Dak Prescott and G Zack Martin, Dallas is still strapped for cash (and needs to pay Dalton Schultz after using the franchise tag on the tight end). 

That said, the Jets have the type of capital where losing out on a second-rounder this year and a third-round selection in 2023 isn't a significant blow. They've been collecting picks for years, setting themselves up for these kinds of moves.

In return, they'd be adding a receiver that can immediately give quarterback Zach Wilson a top target, a wideout that can effectively compliment Elijah Moore, Corey Davis and whoever else New York adds this offseason.

It's also worth noting that general manager Joe Douglas is reportedly "more willing than ever to make a bold trade," according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. As Cimini put it this week, New York has the ammunition, but must decide if this player would be worth pulling the trigger for.

Cooper Might Not Be the Answer

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Look at it this way. Cooper wouldn't singlehandedly bring the Jets to postseason contention. We're still talking about a four-win team, a group that struggled mightily on offense with a young quarterback that still needs to develop.

You can absolutely make the argument that the Jets would be better served targeting a receiver with, say, the second-rounder that's hypothetically involved in this trade. Taking a receiver in the second round worked for the Jets last year with Moore.

With this deep of a receiver class, the Jets could find some value in the second and third rounds of the draft, adding a younger (and cheaper) option at the position, allowing this offense to build together over time. 

That might not be what certain fans want to hear. After all, this team hasn't made the playoffs in over a decade. But by spending $20 million on a receiver, that could keep the Jets from targeting certain defenders in free agency. Remember, New York had the worst defense in football a year ago. Improving that unit under Robert Saleh will subsequently help Wilson and put the offense in more positions to succeed. 

Don't get me wrong. Adding Cooper is by all means something the Jets should consider this offseason. Connor Hughes of The Athletic recently wrote that New York is going to "explore" how Cooper would fit in green and white. 

Besides, if the Jets don't act, Cooper could end up with one of their rivals. The Patriots and Dolphins are reportedly interested in signing Cooper if he is released. In theory, that would give the wideout more of an immediate chance to contend.

It'll come down to how aggressive Douglas and Saleh aim to be this offseason. They can truly expedite this rebuild and take the Jets to the playoffs with the right moves. If an acquisition like this were to backfire, however, the loss of draft picks and the forfeit of financial flexibility would be an even tougher pill to swallow.

MORE:

• Which Tight Ends Should Jets Target After Top Free Agents Received Franchise Tag?
• NFL Combine Recap: What Did Jets Learn in Indianapolis?
• 2022 NFL Draft: Ex-Jets Scout Releases Shocking First Round Mock Draft

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