Free agency has gone exactly how Dallas Cowboys fans though it would. The front office has made a plethora of low-cost signings and executed two low-risk trades for former first-round picks who can only be regarded as "busts" given where they were drafted.
It's unclear if Dallas is scheming a big splash behind the scenes, but they have to do something with the near $60 million in cap space they cleared before the new league year, right? While they could hoard some of it so it carries over into next year, surely the Joneses realize how many holes are on the roster.
It's possible that Cooper Kupp might be the splash in question. Insider Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado reported that Dallas is "very in the mix" for Kupp, who was released on Wednesday after the Rams failed to find a trade partner.
Kupp is expected to have a number of suitors and a fresh update from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggests the Cowboys might have a hard time signing the former Super Bowl MVP.
Latest Cooper Kupp rumors spell bad news for the Cowboys
"This is kind of a weird situation because we've known for weeks Cooper Kupp is available. No one's traded for him, which creates the perception publicly that his market is kind of meh. I don't think it is. I think it's pretty strong. I don't think it's going to be $20 million a year, but if it's $11-12 [million]? Josh Palmer got in free agency I believe it was $12. I can see Kupp getting that. "NFL insider Ian Rapoport
Rapoport makes a good point about Josh Palmer getting $12 million from the Bills. Another good comparison is Darius Slayton, who got $12 million from the Giants. While Palmer and Slayton are both several years younger than Kupp, they aren't nearly as accomplished. Kupp would be well within his rights to demand $12 million per year.
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Unfortunately, it is hard to see the Cowboys meeting that price. If Kupp's market was in the $6-8 million range it would be a different story. If we're being totally honest, $11-12 million is a bit rich for our liking, so you can only imagine the conversations the Joneses are having inside The Star.
If Kupp does go elsewhere, Dallas better have a backup plan in mind. They cannot go into the draft without signing a wide receiver. It's a poor draft class for the position and there are still a few intriguing vets available, though the market is dwindling. Amari Cooper (!), Tyler Lockett, Diontae Johnson and Stefon Diggs headline the free-agency leftovers.
Rapoport's update doesn't mean the Cowboys won't be in on Kupp. But this regime seldom steps outside its financial comfort zone and Kupp will be 32 in June and has missed a combined 18 games due to injury over the last three seasons.
It feels like a long shot at best.