The tanking Oakland Raiders have traded wide receiver Amari Cooper to the desperate Dallas Cowboys for a 2019 first-round pick.
Cooper has been a disappointment over the past two seasons for the Raiders after turning in Pro Bowl years during his first two campaigns in Oakland.
After totaling just 48 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games in 2017, Cooper was on pace for much lower totals. He only has 22 catches for 280 yards and one touchdown in six games this season.
Not a ton of ambition from Oakland's offense with Amari Cooper this year, though this isn't as bad as some other route charts they've produced in 2018. pic.twitter.com/aJzLVNi5Uj
— Nick Shook (@TheNickShook) October 22, 2018
Currently in the NFL’s concussion protocol, Cooper should take over as the top option in a Dallas receiving corps that has struggled mightily this season.
Cowboys receiver Allen Hurns told NFL Network’s Jane Slater that Cooper is a “great addition. Dude’s a baller.”
The Raiders are in the midst of their bye week and don’t play again until October 28 against Indianapolis. Jordy Nelson should take over as the top target in the Oakland passing game.
Based on what they gave up for Cooper in comparison to what other teams gave up for wide receivers in recent deals, the Cowboys may have overpaid.
Compensation in recent WR deals:
Amari Cooper: 2019 first round pick
Brandin Cooks (& a 4th): 2018 first and sixth round picks
Kelvin Benjamin: 2018 third and seventh round picks
Jarvis Landry: 2018 fourth round pick and 2019 seventh round pick
Josh Gordon: 2019 fifth round pick— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 22, 2018
For the Raiders, who received first-round picks in 2019 and 2020 in exchange for defensive star Khalil Mack earlier this year, the Cooper trade is further evidence that the tank is officially on in Oakland so the team will be in full rebuild by the time it arrives in Vegas.
Coach Jon Gruden, who will now have three first-round picks in 2019, is in the first year of a 10-year contract and can afford to play the waiting game.
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