After the Dallas Cowboys traded away their 2019 first-round draft pick for Amari Cooper, it seemed like the talented wide receiver was a lock to remain with the Cowboys for a long time. However, that has changed over the last few months. With Dak Prescott and Byron Jones also waiting for contract extensions, the Cowboys are in a tough position. Who do you pay and who do you don't?
Right now, the most likely outcome is for the Cowboys to use the franchise tag on Dak and the transition tag on Cooper while letting Byron test free agency. But it can also be the other way around. Or, in a more extreme outcome, the NFLPA could approve the proposed CBA and eliminate the team's right to use more than one tag in a single offseason. For the Cowboys' front office, this would be a nightmare scenario.
One thing is for sure, though. Amari Cooper getting a deal done with the Cowboys is far from certain. Becoming a free agent is a possibility for the 25-year-old wide receiver. With the WR market being reset by Michael Thomas and Julio Jones, it's hard to know how much will Amari's camp ask for.
Assuming he ends up elsewhere, Mike McCarthy's Cowboys would have an urgent need for a #1 wide receiver. Michael Gallup has shown great promise as a starter, but it'll be difficult to bet on him to lead the position if they want to contend for a Super Bowl in 2020.
No, Dallas would have to look for another starter. I can't help but thinking New York Jets WR Robby Anderson would be a great option for Dak Prescott.
You see, despite the lack of a 1,000-yard season, Anderson has consistently shown his talent playing for the Jets. It's worth mentioning that he hasn't had a top QB at any point in his career. Sam Darnold's future is promising, but he's not among the best young signal-callers in the NFL.
Anderson hasn't played in a high-caliber offense and he might be a good supporting cast away from becoming one of the league's finest at his position.
In 2017, he racked up 941 yards and seven touchdowns. Over the past two seasons, he's caught 102 passes for1,531 yards and 11 touchdowns. Plus, he will be one of the younger free agents at the position with only 26 years of age.
According to Spotrac, the calculated market value for Anderson is around $12M per year. That doesn't sound bad if Cooper is looking for over $20M annually.
Wherever he ends up in, Robby Anderson will shine as the talented WR that he is. If the Cowboys can't keep Amari Cooper around, I hope the front office targets Anderson.
