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Dallas Cowboys: 5 reasons the Amari Cooper trade was a mistake

By Steven Mullenax

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 25: Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders walks off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 25: Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders walks off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images /

5. Roy Williams, Joey Galloway

Let’s be honest here. The Dallas Cowboys terrible trade history for high-profile receivers is playing a big part in why many fans feel the move for Amari Cooper is a mistake. The fact is we’ve seen this type of desperation from the Cowboys before.

Dallas hoping to make the one addition that will finally spark another Super Bowl run. Some moves have worked out better than others. But when it comes to trading first round picks, only two names come to mind for Cowboys fans: Wide receivers Roy Williams and Joey Galloway.

Considered by many to be the worst trade in franchise history, the Cowboys sacrificed a first, a third and a sixth-round selection midway through the 2008 season to acquire former first-round pick and wideout Roy Williams from the Detroit Lions. Dallas also got a seventh rounder back from Detroit in the lopsided deal.

Williams would spend the next three seasons in Dallas after inking a massive six-year, $54 million contract. He would never record more than 38 catches or 600 receiving yards in a single season for America’s Team.

The Cowboys traded two first-round selections for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Joey Galloway back in 2000. Dallas made the move in part to give aging quarterback Troy Aikman a dynamic offensive weapon. Unfortunately, Galloway tore his ACL in his first game for the Cowboys. And Aikman would retire after the season.

Galloway would spend four seasons in Dallas, but never quite looked like the explosive player he was before the injury. And without a premier passer to pair him with, it was a wasted move that resulted in three-straight 5-11 seasons.

Seattle would use one of the Cowboys first rounders to select running back Shaun Alexander, who would be named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2015 while helping to lead the Seahawks to Super Bowl XL.

5 reasons the Amari Cooper trade was a good move. dark. Next

The Amari Cooper trade is the third time the Dallas Cowboys have traded away a first-round selection for a wide receiver. The other two times didn’t work out so well. Is it any wonder why many fans believe the third time will not be the charm.

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