In the 2021 season, the Dallas Cowboys arguably had the best wide receiver core in the NFL. It featured first-round pick and budding star Ceedee Lamb, one of the league’s most underrated players in Michael Gallup and a top fifteen wideout in Amari Cooper.
Going into the 2022 off-season, it was known that Dallas would have issues with the salary cap. They had already taken care of Cooper when they signed him to a massive five-year, 100 million dollar contract. With Michael Gallup expected to become a free agent, it was expected they would allow him to leave. Instead, he was re-signed to a five-year, 62.5 million dollar contract extension. With the cap issues still persisting, somebody had to go.
Unfortunately, it would end up being Cooper. Traded to Cleveland for just a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, it was purely a salary cap move for Dallas. However, because of this trade and the eventual release of La’el Collins, the Cowboys have over 24 million in cap space. They have already made one addition to the room with former Steelers wideout James Washington. Could another high-profile receiver make his way to Dallas?
Julio Jones is now a free agent
After one season with the Tennessee Titans, Julio Jones has been released. The Titans, who sent a second and fourth-round pick for the star wideout last season, struggled to get much production out of the future hall of famer. In fact, he posted career lows across the board with just 31 receptions for 434 yards and one touchdown. At 33 years old, Julio has certainly slowed down from his time in Atlanta.
Regardless, he is still Julio Jones. Blessed with an absurd physical skillset, he will always be a handful for defensive backs. After the recent down year, he could also come at an affordable price. The Cowboys will also offer him the ability to take a step back. The recent addition of Washington would take some pressure off Jones as well as he will not need to be the field stretcher he was in his prime. With so many talented receiving options on the roster, they will not need him to be a dominant piece. Simply, he will just have to be available.
If he is willing to take a one-year deal for cheap, he could fit right in with the Cowboys’ offense. A seven-time Pro Bowler, he could be another game-changing piece for the Dallas offense. In the increasingly weak NFC, they could also offer him a chance to compete for the championship that has alluded him his entire career.
