As the NFL offseason began, the Dallas Cowboys finally became face-to-face with one of their biggest problems and if you haven’t kept up lately with Cowboys-related news, it’s their usual salary cap issues.
With 24 free agents, the Cowboys are not only tasked with finding different routes to retain their personnel but to find money since they’re currently $21 million over the cap.
Although that sounds terrible, the team has a variety of ways to get under the cap, and the most talked-about has been either trading or releasing Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver Amari Cooper, which could free up to $16 million.
Now it may not be the best idea to let go of your top receiver, but I provide three viable candidates who could replace Cooper within this year’s NFL Draft if they choose to go that route.
1. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
We start with Chris Olave, the former Ohio State wide receiver, who put up huge numbers during his four years in Columbus, and the craziest part was that he wasn’t even considered the best wideout on his team.
Now before fans freak out and wonder why I’m writing about a player who couldn’t even be the best player on his team, it just goes to show the insane amount of talent that the Buckeyes had in their wide receiver room that just didn’t feel fair at times.
The breakdown of Olave starts with the realization that he’s not the type of receiver that will give you Tyreek Hill speed but is someone who is a well-rounded route runner that can still break away from defenders. His measurables list him at 6-foot, 189 pounds, and sources say he is projected to run around a 4.4-4.5 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
Choosing to draft Olave, the Cowboys would get an elite playmaker who had 135 catches for 2,702 yards, 35 touchdowns, and a 15.4 yards-per-catch career average for the Buckeyes.
If that doesn’t convince you enough, he is someone who has the knack to track the ball deep and is being labeled as a high-ceiling WR2 with the potential to become a WR1.
Lastly, since we’re in the era of NFL comparisons, some names that have been linked to his playing style have been Tyler Lockett, Terry McLaurin, and Keenan Allen.
2. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
If there is one thing the Cowboy’s front office loves when it comes to the evaluation of draft prospects, it has to be their athletic traits.
Take Dallas Cowboys Linebacker Micah Parsons who the Cowboys drafted last year because of his freakish athletic abilities and although the team’s need for a linebacker wasn’t high, he was too good to pass up.
Now enter another Penn State prospect, who possesses blazing speed, is an elite YAC (yards-after-catch) type of receiver, and is someone that gives you Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill vibes. Jahan Dotson, a former four-year starter at Penn State, comes into this draft as one of the fastest receivers and has been mocked as a late first to the early second-round prospect.
Dotson’s only weaknesses that may have teams stay away from him are his smaller frame and lack of a route tree.
However, Dotson, who is 5’11 and 184 pounds, shouldn’t be overlooked since this past year people criticized Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver Devonta Smith for his weight, and he panned out just fine. Additionally, Tyreek Hill was also criticized for his lack of route-running, but he turned out to become an elite weapon.
The comparisons that have been thrown out for Dotson have been Diontae Johnson, Emmanuel Sanders, and Hill.
Dotson would become the Cowboy’s fastest wideout on the team, and there could be possibilities that arise where he is used in packages similar to how the 49ers use Deebo Samuel.
3. Jameson Williams, Alabama, WR
Before his ACL injury in the College Football National Championship, Alabama Wide Receiver Jameson Williams was being projected to fly off draft boards as the number-one receiver in this year’s class.
Now in rehab, Williams who reported in interviews that he is ahead in his recovery and hopes to be ready by training camp is still being coveted for his talent but may go later than he wanted.
The Cowboys, who have the 24th pick in the NFL Draft, could be one of those teams that take a risk on Williams to bank on the idea that you’re getting a top-graded wideout late first round.
If we break down Williams, you see that he began his career at Ohio State and produced minimal production during his time and would transfer out to Alabama.
Going back to earlier, I referenced the insane amount of talent that Ohio State had in their receiver room, so it seems he was the odd man out once it came to playing time. In most cases, once a highly rated recruit transfers it’s likely they post decent stats at their next destination, but Williams became a rare case and balled out for the Crimson Tide.
In his first year with Alabama, Williams had 79 receptions,1,572 yards, 15 touchdowns and to some was robbed of the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the nation’s top wide receiver.
It’s understandable to think the Boys would be taking a big risk on a player who may or may not be ready once the season starts, but you’re banking on the steal of the draft. Once Williams hits the field, he would instantly bring elite speed and could become a home-run hitter for the team.
His speed would have to be respected by the defense and would allow for more open opportunities for his teammates and opposing teams would have to pick their poison while they guarded the Cowboys.
Also, a Bama wide receiver replacing another Bama wide receiver, it’s like it was meant to be.
