Dallas Cowboys: 5 reasons the Amari Cooper trade was a mistake
4. Amari Cooper’s Salary
Still under his rookie contract, the Cowboys’ price tag for Amari Cooper in 2018 is very reasonable. $411K. But the Raiders did pick up Cooper’s fifth-year option this offseason. And now Dallas is on the hook to pay Cooper a whopping $13.9 million in 2019.
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Another way to look at it is the Cowboys are paying $7 million a season for Cooper, which is a reasonable for a number one wide receiver. I just not sure the former Raider is that kind of player.
Dallas is currently paying free agent wideout Allen Hurns $6 million per year. And Hurns has struggled to record 13 receptions for 158 yards and one touchdown in his first seven games in Dallas.
Although Cooper has eclipse those numbers, posting 22 receptions for 280 yards and one score in six games, his stats aren’t that much better than Hurns.
Although Cooper’s price tag alone may not seem all that concerning, combined with the loss of a number one selection and considering his below average production; it makes this move very hard to swallow.
The Cowboys could certainly offer Cooper a contract extension this offseason to offset some of the cost incurred from the fifth-year option. But that would also mean Dallas is committing to him long-term. But it appears the organization has already done that as they must get more than half a season of production out of a player they traded a top pick for.
By making this trade, Dallas is committed long-term to Cooper, despite the fact he hasn’t played a single snap in a Cowboys’ uniform.