The Dallas Cowboys are currently enjoying being the second-biggest disgrace, for lack of a better term, in the Dallas Fort Worth Area. With fans protesting outside American Airlines Arena after the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic there is a real opportunity for Jerry Jones to sweep Dallas loyalists off their feet.
Trading for Myles Garrett, who has requested a trade out of Cleveland, would be the best-possible start in that regard, but it’s been a long time – probably since Amari Cooper in 2018 – since Jones swung a trade of the blockbuster variety.
We all remember the impact Cooper had on Dak Prescott.
The passing game really struggled before Cooper’s arrival, as the Cowboys saddled Prescott with a truly lousy group of receivers. Ezekiel Elliott led the team with 77 catches, while Cooper led the way with 725 receiving yards despite coming over mid-season.
While Prescott has an elite wideout in CeeDee Lamb now, you can make a strong case that WR2 is Dallas’ biggest need this offseason. Well, the football gods may have answered Cowboys fans’ prayers as a prominent wideout is now being shopped by his team.
Cowboys trading for Cooper Kupp would be a blessing for Dak Prescott
The Los Angeles Rams have informed Cooper Kupp that they will trade him this offseason. Kupp broke the news on social media late Monday night.
Kupp is not long removed from winning the NFL’s triple crown in 2021 when he led the league in catches (145), receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16) during the regular season. It is one of the best individual seasons in NFL history regardless of position.
Kupp followed that with an equally dominant playoffs, leading all pass-catchers in all three categories. He was later named MVP of Super Bowl LVI after he caught the game-winning TD in LA’s narrow 23-20 win over the Bengals.
It is important to note, though, that Kupp will turn 32 before the start of next season and he’s missed a combined 18 games over the last three years.
The former Offensive Player of the Year is undoubtedly on the decline, but he is still a more-than-serviceable WR2. Puka Nucua emerged as Matthew Stafford’s go-to target this year, but Kupp still managed 710 receiving yards and six scores in just 12 games.
For context, Jalen Tolbert finished second on the Cowboys this season with 610 receiving yards and seven touchdowns and he played all 17 games. With Brandin Cooks unlikely to be re-signed in free agency, Prescott sorely needs another sure-handed veteran.
The current terms of Kupp’s contract aren’t appealing, but any team acquiring him will surely renegotiate his contract. According to Spotrac, he carries a two-year, $22 million valuation. The Cowboys can absolutely afford that.
More WRs may became available between now and April’s draft, but it would be foolish of the Joneses to bank on that. Trading for Kupp would plug one of the roster’s biggest holes and give Will McClay and the front office more flexibility in free agency and the draft.
Most importantly, it would give Prescott much-needed help opposite Lamb.
