How the Cowboys can replace Amari Cooper’s impact on rest of WR corps?

Making up for Amari Cooper’s impact will be tough, but the Cowboys have ways to get it done

The Dallas Cowboys made headlines this offseason, but their most significant move was not one that made the team better. Instead, it was a move that sent wide receiver Amari Cooper and his $23.7 million cap hit to the Cleveland Browns.

The former WR1 for the Cowboys had an impressive stat line to help the team to a 33-23 record with him on the field. I figured out how to replace the Alabama product’s on-field production, but now let’s focus on his overall impact. More specifically, making up for what Cooper does without the ball.

Aside from an injury-plagued 2021 season, Michael Gallup has been the best downfield threat for the Cowboys. Among players with 10+ catches, Gallup led the team for yards per catch for his first three seasons with the star on his helmet.

Last season, America’s Team did not have a player eclipse 14+ yards per reception for the first time. That’s partly due to their vertical threat, Gallup, either not being available or playing hurt. No one was able to stretch the defense last year, but a healthy Gallup can.

Route-running is arguably Cooper’s best quality as a wide receiver. He remains one of the best in the NFL for that category. Taking over for him are CeeDee Lamb and rookie wideout Jalen Tolbert.

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb has big shoes to fill, but he can do it

Lamb has taken a step up from year one to year two and will be looking to take another heading into year three. As a route-runner, he is more smooth and utilizes his explosiveness to catch corners off guard. This year he is expected to be the bonafide WR1.

Tolbert is a third-rounder coming out of South Alabama. He played in the Sun Belt and was named Offensive Player of the Year. That’s primarily due to his ability to separate himself from cornerbacks with his sudden and seamless cuts paired with his 4.49 speed.

The space both players will be able to create should make up for what Cooper provided. If that doesn’t help, the Cowboys have mismatches ready for the opponents.

Tony Pollard is a wide receiver turned running back who could see snaps as a wideout this year. One of the most efficient players in the NFL deserves more opportunities to torch defenses. Linebackers won’t be fast or quick enough to keep up, and the top defensive backs will be occupied.

Dalton Schultz broke out in 2020 and one-upped that in 2021. He is currently on the franchise tag because of the value he provides to Dallas. The versatile tight end needs speedy linebackers to keep up with him, but those same linebackers struggle against the screens Schultz is so good at running.

One final piece is missing here, and that’s a go-to third-down receiver. Owner Jerry Jones signed that guy this offseason in James Washington. In the three seasons from his rookie season to 2020, 67.8 percent of his catches were for first downs.

The Cowboys have a lot of talent on their team. Replacing Amari Cooper is not an easy task, but the plethora of talent on the team can do it together.