Oakland Raiders: Who will win the Amari Cooper trade?
The Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys came together for a huge midseason trade involving Amari Cooper and a first-round pick. Who wins this deal?
The Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys came together on a trade over a week before the NFL trade deadline, with Oakland sending former first-round receiver Amari Cooper to the Cowboys for a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys opted this offseason to release veteran Dez Bryant, effectively leaving them without a number one receiver and they opted to head into the 2018 season without really replacing him.
Seven weeks into the season, it looks like the Cowboys realized the error of their ways but didn’t want to bring Dez back, though he remains unsigned.
Who will end up winning this trade? Right now it’s hard to say because we do not know how the Raiders plan to use the draft asset they acquired, but let’s take a look at the potential outcomes for both teams and see which team will ultimately win this deal.
Why the Raiders will win the trade
Because Amari Cooper had not been consistently performing up to the level of a high-profile first-round draft pick, this trade made some sense for the Raiders.
They were able to get a first-round pick for Cooper in a trade climate where players like Josh Gordon (vastly different circumstances, of course) were going for fifth-round picks and other big-name receivers have been traded for far less (see: Landry, Jarvis).
Just given the nature of the NFL Draft and the fact that even taking a receiver in the first-round is not always a wise decision, the Raiders may be the early favorites to win this trade based on how high this pick could end up being.
The Cowboys’ first-round selection is currently projected eighth overall with over half of a season yet to go. Still, if they end up with a top 10 selection for Amari Cooper, that is, in itself, a huge victory for the Raiders.
Why the Cowboys will win the trade
The price to get Cooper was steep. No one likes entering draft season without a first-round pick.
The Cowboys may have to pay Cooper’s fifth-year option but he may give them the dynamic weapon their offense has been lacking at wide receiver. He may also end up making the rest of Dallas’ offensive weapons that much better.
The Cowboys’ passing offense currently ranks 29th and they have just eight passing touchdowns offensively this season. Dallas’ top three leading receivers are Cole Beasley (a slot player), Ezekiel Elliott (a running back), and Geoff Swaim (who?).
Cooper, at the very least, gives the Cowboys some legitimacy at the wide receiver position and will allow other players in their offense to flourish because of his ability to take the top off of defenses.
Next. One player on the trade block for each team. dark
If he can return to consistently playing like he did early on in his career, the Cowboys will not care one bit about giving up a first-round pick for him.