Cowboys' Garrett: Cooper can be cornerstone player
Count Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett among those who consider Monday's blockbuster acquisition of wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders as a win for his team.
"Obviously it's a big decision," Garrett said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. "We talked about it a lot, at all levels of our organization. I do believe we've done a good job selecting guys in the first round, and they are cornerstone players on our team.
"We really believe that Amari can be that kind of a guy. He's 24 years old. We think he has a bright future. The value for a player like that at his age, that's really what it costs you. It costs you a first-round pick."
The Cowboys sent a first-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft to the Raiders in exchange for Cooper, who's in his fourth professional season after being chosen by the Raiders fourth overall in the 2015 draft.
Cooper was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons, as he topped 1,000 yards receiving in each campaign and caught 11 total touchdowns. He's shown regression over the past two seasons, however, recording just 680 yards - but seven touchdowns - in 14 games last year, with just 280 yards and one touchdown on 22 receptions through six games to start the 2018 season.
"If we were to get him in the draft next spring, you would say, 'Boy, is there any receiver who is as good as a guy like Amari Cooper?'" Garrett said. "He's not 28, 29, 30. You're not paying for a guy for what he's done for the past six, seven, eight years for another team. We feel like he has it in front of him and he can really benefit our team going forward because of the ability he has and the kind of person he is."
The Cowboys released veteran receiver Dez Bryant this past offseason and signed Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson as free agents, drafted Michael Gallup in the third round of April's draft, and acquired Tavon Austin from the Los Angeles Rams.
Dallas is hoping Cooper's experience and previous success can rejuvenate a passing attack currently ranked 29th in passing yards per game and with fewer passing touchdowns than all but five teams.
The Cowboys have a bye in Week 8 before they host the Tennessee Titans in Week 9 on Monday night, allowing Cooper time to get accustomed to Dallas' offense.
- With h/t to ESPN