Key Takeaways:
– The Dallas Cowboys may consider trading veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks to manage the salary cap.
– Cooks has the potential to be the most traded player since 1980.
– Trading Cooks could save the team $8 million against the 2024 salary cap.
– However, Cooks’ connection with quarterback Dak Prescott is a vital consideration against the trade.
– The Cowboys have shown interest in signing ex-Jaguars receiver Zay Jones.
Possible Trade of Brandin Cooks Could Help Dallas Cowboys Manage Salary Cap
According to Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report, the Dallas Cowboys might have to trade or release three players as the franchise is in a predicament regarding the salary cap. Ballentine identifies one of these players as Brandin Cooks, the Cowboys’ seasoned wide receiver. Cooks, heading into the final season of his two-year contract worth $39.7 million, is slated to cost the team a cool $10 million against the 2024 cap.
Brandin Cooks’s Potential Trade: A Record in Sight?
Cooks might achieve an unusual NFL record if he gets traded again. As Ballentine states, “He’s currently tied with Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson as the most traded player in the league since 1980.” Trading Cooks post-June 1 could save the Cowboys $8 million against the 2024 cap. However, this saving comes with potential risks in the form of a gap in the Cowboys’ receiving strength.
Moulding the Cowboys Offensive Line
The Dallas Cowboys have lately shown faith in fresh talent. Rookie Ryan Flournoy, a 6’1”, 202-pound receiver with the potential to be an underrated gem, leads their prospects. “If they believe Flournoy can contribute right away and that Jalen Tolbert will finally break out, they could decide that Cooks is not a necessity in the offense,” reflects Ballentine.
Despite Cooks’ career lows in 2023, Cowboys may Think Twice
While Cooks did have a somewhat disappointing 2023 season—registering merely 54 receptions for 657 yards and 8 touchdowns in 16 appearances—he demonstrated a promising growth trajectory. His on-the-field connection with quarterback Dak Prescott solidified over the year, culminating in five touchdowns from the final seven games of the regular season.
Rumored Dallas Interest in Ex-Jaguars Receiver, Zay Jones
The Cowboys have shown interest in veterans released by other teams besides their current crop of talent. After their release of Michael Gallup this offseason, they have met with Zay Jones since the Jaguars let him go. According to information shared by Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, Jones visited the Cowboys, sparking speculation of a personnel move.
Battle with the Chiefs for Zay Jones’s Signature
Despite the specific interest in Jones, Cowboys are facing tough competition from Kansas City Chiefs for his signature. Clarence Hill Jr. from Fort Worth Star-Telegram voiced some apprehension about Jones’ meeting with the Chiefs scheduled for May 9. Dallas might need to augment their offer to Jones to ensure they can fend off rival interest.
The Dallas Cowboys, already in a salary cap bind, find themselves in a challenging and critical position. They are considering the fate of one of their key players, weighing the economic benefits, and looking towards making potential combines with fresh and veteran talent. With the future hanging in the balance, the Cowboys’ strategic decisions will shape their 2024 season significantly.