4 best (and 2 worst) Cowboys trades under Jerry Jones

2. Amari Cooper (Best)

When Jerry needs help, he swings for the fences. In 2018 he did just that. The Cowboys' offense was struggling mightily at wide receiver for the first half of the season following the release of Dez Bryant. Allen Hurns, Terrance Williams, and Cole Beasley all tried to make up for the loss of Bryant, but the lack of a true number one target was noticeable.

After a 3-4 start, Dallas traded a 2019 first round pick for Amari Cooper.

Cooper's career in Dallas did not start hot. He caught a touchdown in his first game against the Titans, but the Cowboys still lost dropping them to 3-5. After having no touchdowns and only nine catches in the next two games, the trade looked like a failure.

That all changed on Thanksgiving Day against the Redskins when Cooper had eight catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Two weeks later against the Eagles, he had 217 yards receiving with three touchdowns including the game-winner in overtime. By the end of the season, Dallas won the NFC East and won a playoff game against the Seahawks, proving Jerry made a wise decision.

Dak Prescott and Cooper's chemistry slipped in 2019, but he managed a second straight 1,000-yard season and a Pro Bowl invite. His 2020 season saw another 1,000-yard campaign with four different quarterbacks throwing him the ball. Despite Cooper's success, CeeDee Lamb became too much to ignore.

The Cowboys dealt away Cooper to the Cleveland Browns, questioning Jones' ways. His career as a Cowboy might have been short, but Cooper played a vital role in Prescott's development. Young quarterbacks always need a go-to guy and that was Cooper for three consecutive years.