Report: Cleveland Browns closely monitoring Amari Cooper situation
By Colin Damms
The Cleveland Browns are reportedly very interested in striking a deal with receiver Amari Cooper should the Dallas Cowboys release him before free agency.
The Cleveland Browns are reportedly watching closely as the Dallas Cowboys weigh cutting star receiver Amari Cooper. Browns reporters Jake Trotter from ESPN and Zac Jackson from The Athletic both noted Cooper as a potential target for Andrew Berry and company, and according to reports out of Dallas, he could soon be a hot commodity on the free-agent market.
Cooper has been one of Dak Prescott’s favorite targets since being traded from the then Oakland Raiders in 2018, but his hefty salary has made him a candidate for release as the Cowboys look to get under the cap before free agency. This has several receiver-needy teams interested, especially the Browns, who could be down to just two receivers on the depth chart by the time free agency begins.
Cooper had just his second year under 1,000 receiving yards in 2021 (missing a couple of starts due to covid), but he posted a career-best 8 touchdowns. He’s really shown his true potential in a very prolific Cowboys offense, and his expected availability is surely down to just the finances of it all.
The fact that it hasn’t officially happened yet might indicate that the Cowboys are examining all options, with Cooper’s ability and connection with Prescott a big positive for them over the last couple seasons. Instead they may look at how they came across CeeDee Lamb as well as the receiver depth in the draft and consider that as their best option for a cheaper option.
The Cleveland Browns will no doubt look to draft a receiver as well, but the acquisition of Cooper would push that need a bit further down the pecking order. He’s a very good WR 1 option who provides a threat at multiple levels, has good separation ability and can provide yards after the catch, something the Browns have been lacking.
There’s also still the possibility that the team can reach terms with veteran Jarvis Landry on a restructured contract, but given the pretty public negotiations between the parties as well as the dissolving relationship with Baker Mayfield, it seems unlikely they’ll keep him around beyond next week.
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Either way, receiver remains a need even if the Browns pick up Cooper, but he’s a good start and there are plenty of options in the draft and free agency for the Browns to add talent beyond him.