Trade, free agency or draft: How should the Cowboys address WR need?

It’s no secret that the Dallas Cowboys have entered the offseason with a glaring need at the wide receiver position. Even heading into the 2022 NFL season, following the head-scratching trade of Amari Cooper, there were major concerns surrounding the group. And those concerns proved valid.

Although CeeDee Lamb stepped up and grew into his role as the team’s No. 1 receiver, he didn’t have much help on the opposite side. Michael Gallup never seemed to fully recover from his torn ACL, James Washington was injured the entire season, and rookie Jalen Tolbert — drafted with the No. 88 overall pick — was a complete non-factor.

Former Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton signed with the team late in the season and did provide a much-needed spark and downfield threat, but it didn’t do much to alleviate the pressure on Lamb. He’s also a free agent, along with Noah Brown, who already inked a one-year deal with the Texans.

It’s evident that if the Cowboys want to fully realize their potential on offense and maximize the talent of both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, they need to upgrade the wide receiver position. The question is how do they do it? Should they approach this need through trade, free agency, or the draft?

Let’s see if we can make a determination.

Pros and cons of Cowboys trading for a wide receiver

The Cowboys have been linked to multiple big-named wide receivers. Two of the most prominent names we’ve seen floated around have been Brandin Cooks and, most recently, DeAndre Hopkins. Both receivers are unhappy with the situation they find themselves in on their current team and both would provide an instant upgrade for the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys were reportedly close to acquiring Cooks from the Texans last season, as both teams were on the same page in terms of compensation for the 29-year-old receiver. The deal never came to fruition though thanks, in large part, to Cooks’ $18 million guaranteed salary for the 2023 season.

The Texans are supposedly still shopping Cooks this offseason and, once again, Dallas seems to be a possible landing spot. Cooks is coming off a disappointing season in which he caught just 57 passes for 699 yards and three touchdowns, but most of his struggles can be pinned on the Texans’ poor quarterback play.

Assuming the Cowboys and Texans are still on the same wavelength, the speedster would undoubtedly be an upgrade for Dallas’ WR room

Then there’s DeAndre Hopkins who fueled trade flames with the Cowboys when he appeared on former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant’s Instagram live and made his interest in the team public. Although injuries have limited the 30-year-old’s availability over the past two seasons, he still plays at an elite level when he does take the field.

Hopkins was suspended for the first six games last season but still went on to produce solid numbers. On the year, he caught 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns.

The asking price for Hopkins doesn’t appear that out of reach. The Cardinals are reportedly asking for at least a second round pick and a conditional pick, which seems rather reasonable.

The idea of either Cooks or Hopkins playing opposite Lamb next season is certainly attractive, but there are some caveats. For starters, they’ll likely have to give up some draft capital. I wouldn’t give up a first for either of them, but anything lower than a third is worth the gamble.

But then there’s also the issue of salary. Veteran receivers, especially ones as talented as these, cost money. At some point the Cowboys will have to open up the pocket book if they want to get Lamb some help.  The other option is to turn to turn to free agency or the draft.