Cooks or Gilmore — Which veteran makes a bigger impact in 2023?

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Cooks or Gilmore -- Which veteran makes a bigger impact in 2023?

With training camp just a few weeks away, the Dallas Cowboys have plenty of storylines going into the 2023 season.

We here at Inside The Star have covered just about them all.

The Cowboys have one of the most talented football rosters, and many say it is a make-or-break year for some staff and players. You know who I am talking about.

The Cowboys front office finally had a splashy offseason and made trades for Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks in March.

Two huge names that can help put a team with a solid roster over the top.

First, let me say anything less than a NFC Championship appearance is a failure, most would agree. It has been that way for 25 years, but this offseason has finally felt a bit better than most..

After back-to-back 12-win seasons, the Cowboys traded for a former Defensive Player of the Year in Gilmore and Cooks, who produces 1,000 yards everywhere he goes.

Gilmore

As I looked at some stats for both outside of what I knew, Gilmore has two seasons with a minus-30 EPA allowed.

EPA is a measure of success that defines each play’s value by its effect on the offense’s likelihood to score.

Dan Quinn gets to pair Gilmore and Trevon Diggs, something the secondary struggled with last year. When teams threw away from Diggs, they got almost everything they wanted.

BREAKING: Cowboys trade for CB Stephon Gilmore, send a fifth-round pick

The backend for Dallas is going to be really really good this season, and adding a guy like Gilmore will allow the front seven to attack the quarterback and put significant pressure on them.

This defense has a good mix of young and veteran players. They are going to be tough to beat most days.

Cooks

Cooks joins an offense that averaged over 30 points a game in 2022 when Dak Prescott started, with Noah Brown and Dennis Houston behind CeeDee Lamb until they signed T.Y Hilton.

Cooks has six seasons of over 1,000 yards. He has played nine total years and might be the best player in the NFL that has never made a Pro Bowl.

Still crazy to think about.

Lamb, Cooks, and Michael Gallup have a chance to be the best trio in all of football in 2023.

People don’t understand how massive of a boost this is to the offense that was already one the best in football.

Cooks still has top-level speed and can blow the top off a defense and open the middle of the field for Lamb and others.

Drew Brees says Cowboys will love Brandin Cooks

So with how dominant the defense already is, adding Gilmore to the back end will make them one of the best in football, if not the best.

Adding Cooks to this offense with Mike McCarthy calling plays will help everyone, including Prescott.

I am leaning toward Cooks as of right now. I lean toward that side because the biggest issue last season was the lack of separation from the wide receivers not named CeeDee Lamb was a HUGE issue last season.

I expect both to have games where they are the REASON the Cowboys win the game.

Say what you want, all we can do is talk right now until September. I want to win just as bad as the next guy.

It sounds like they are already helping out the young guys and making a presence and they haven’t even taken a snap yet.

Shane Taylor

Shane Taylor

Shane Taylor is a Dallas Cowboys fan from the Midwest. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and works at a Junior College in the TRIO Upward Bound department. Taylor has written for two publications in his lifetime. The first was as a Sports Reporter for Journal Star while in college. He also spent a year as a Regional News Reporter for Shaw Media. When he is not working or writing for Inside The Star, he enjoys bowling competitively. Feel free to connect with him on his social media outlets listed below!

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Al-Don Tate
Al-Don Tate
Jul 9, 2023 12:34 PM

The DB. Because Dak had Dez, and Cooper and lost them.

William Montanye
William Montanye
Jul 9, 2023 1:38 PM
Reply to  Al-Don Tate

Al-Don Tate since when does a quarterback get to pick and choose his roster he’s not the GM isn’t pay these guys. I’m already Cooper lost himself when he became the number to wide receiver here making $22 million. Dez Bryant was often injured and no longer himself case in point never did anything anywhere after.

So wherever that logic came from, you might wanna try again because that’s a total fail of a response

Quarterbacks do not lose their weapons. Their weapons get traded, are cut by the GM and the owner.

But it’s ironic. That was CeeDee Lamb is the number one wide receiver and he’s gotten better every year and he had a career year last year with one Prescott, throwing to him what the problem was the depth Noah Brown being the number to wide receiver is a big issue Michael Gallup being injured a big issue Lots of issues definitely wasn’t Prescott that caused the player turnover, which by the way the year before only did they trade away Amari Cooper, Cedrick Wilson, Blake, Jarwin, Collins, Williams and that’s just on our fence alone it’s called player turnover they had to adjust and oh my god they won 12 games again I got to the second round of the playoffs that must’ve been really hard to take that they actually improve the game after making all those cuts.

Rivera John
Rivera John
Jul 9, 2023 2:25 PM
Reply to  Al-Don Tate

Al-Don Tate lol how have cooper turn out after dak or dez you tell me

Al-Don Tate
Al-Don Tate
Jul 9, 2023 3:26 PM
Reply to  Al-Don Tate

Rivera John Dez ran wide open many times. Which is why he was so frustrated. Dak didn’t see him. He takes sacks looking for his 3rd and 5th reads. Throw it away. Show me a play where he DOES throw it away. Nooooo.. sack etc. And Cooper played just as well in Cleveland WITHOUT much talent around him.

Al-Don Tate
Al-Don Tate
Jul 9, 2023 3:27 PM
Reply to  Al-Don Tate

William Montanye u must be related.. haha.. This is Daks last season as a cowboy. Do or bye

William Montanye
William Montanye
Jul 9, 2023 3:43 PM
Reply to  Al-Don Tate

Al-Don Tate and you must be a troll that does nothing but be a parrot, a sheep , you just squawk things that you hear on the Internet.

while I just gave you facts, 100% facts. Apparently you don’t understand facts because you rather have what we call hyperbole.

you like shock value ,you like to be negative ,you like the same thing to do think it’s the popular thing to say. It’s not we just think you’re a giant troll and you were clueless fan with no football IQ.

It’s all trash does narratives are all busted they are untrue

My comment was 100% true show me where it is it. This is a business am I Cooper got cut because CD Lamb made him expendable is 22 million was too much. You know the Raiders let him go the Cowboys let him go and eventually Cleveland will let them go the dude that Jerry Rice.

If you follow the Cowboys, you know the Dez Bryant was slower than he ever was. He was off injured in his career was pretty much over and again it already proved it. He never got to play for another team for any significance that it was over.

Next anybody thing else I need to teach you because what you’re saying is nonsense what I’m saying is all true

Gdc Israel
Gdc Israel
Jul 12, 2023 12:03 PM
Reply to  Al-Don Tate

Al-Don Tate It doesn’t matter who the Quarterback is , the problem is the Jones

Al-Don Tate
Al-Don Tate
Jul 12, 2023 12:05 PM
Reply to  Al-Don Tate

Gdc Israel the Jones have achieved a lot more than many other owners of the league. MANY! It cannot always be daylight.

Gdc Israel
Gdc Israel
Jul 12, 2023 12:09 PM
Reply to  Al-Don Tate

Al-Don Tate It been dark for 27 years and they been in charge , so it’s not Dak fault just like it was Romo fault or any other Quarterback doing this time

Al-Don Tate
Al-Don Tate
Jul 12, 2023 12:12 PM
Reply to  Al-Don Tate

Gdc Israel name a another team other than the pats, that have won 3 lombardis (back to back) titles, OR 3 Lombardi’s in 4 years, In those same 27 years? Dak is to share the blame as well as the defense not holding when needed be at crunch time.

Al-Don Tate
Al-Don Tate
Jul 15, 2023 2:21 PM
Reply to  Al-Don Tate

Rivera John Dak can’t read defenses as well as he should be.

Al-Don Tate
Al-Don Tate
Jul 15, 2023 3:14 PM
Reply to  Al-Don Tate

Rivera John it’s no hate. He has to play better outside of the division. Yes 10 plus wins is nice. But, exiting the post season after those 10 plus wins isn’t content anymore. Mahommes has 2 rings. Don’t compare them. Mahommes can read defenses. Mahommes throws the ball away if no one is open or he’ll run. Romo got it together too late. And Aikman could also read defenses. Dak still led the league in ints after missing 4 games. And threw a pick six in Washington when the play right before that pick 6 was almost a pick 6. Make it make sense. He had ability, but is in accurate at times and turns the ball over vs better opponents.

Rivera John
Rivera John
Jul 15, 2023 6:01 PM
Reply to  Al-Don Tate

Al-Don Tate dude rhats dak first year leading in int stop it the dude had surgery in his throwing hand every year ya bash him for something knew smh he will give us 12 woms again and ya will be hating again amd again

Jesse Pope
Jesse Pope
Jul 9, 2023 12:37 PM

Both players will surely help and be great additions, but getting a player that other younger players who plays the same position is raving about there mentorship capabilities alone is nothing but a bonus for the team.

So my choice would be WR Brandon Cooks

Jason Muller
Jason Muller
Jul 9, 2023 12:59 PM

Ummm both…

Kirk Kuykendall
Kirk Kuykendall
Jul 9, 2023 1:25 PM

Seriously – opposite side of the line – entirely different positions
Each will bring their own individual value!!!!

Eric Childs
Eric Childs
Jul 9, 2023 1:27 PM

Definitely Cooks deep threat speed which should totally open up the offense and free Lamb. This will enable wide receivers getting separation that will also open the run game as well as the run pass option

Nicole Hornak DC
Nicole Hornak DC
Jul 9, 2023 1:29 PM

Both are good additions but id say Gilmore…i like the duo of Gilmore and diggs. Cooks is fast…but I wish we honestly would have been able to get Dhop instead

Steve Wilds
Steve Wilds
Jul 9, 2023 1:30 PM

Both

William Montanye
William Montanye
Jul 9, 2023 1:35 PM

Both

Clarence Minnis
Clarence Minnis
Jul 9, 2023 2:11 PM

Both

Brian McVicker
Brian McVicker
Jul 9, 2023 2:19 PM

Will see

VAM
VAM
Jul 9, 2023 9:47 AM

Is Cooks better than Amari Cooper? No.
Is CeeDee, Cooks, post injury Gallup better than Cooper, CeeDee, preinjury Gallup AND Ced Wilson? No. They probably had a better WR group couple years ago.

So, looking at that, Gilmore will probably have a bigger impact.

Shane Taylor
Shane Taylor
Jul 9, 2023 9:54 AM
Reply to  VAM

Vam,

Cooks will show up on the road unlike Cooper.

Lamb is just as good as Cooper was now, and Cooks won’t disappear every time they play on the road.

90% of Coopers production was at home.

VAM
VAM
Jul 11, 2023 9:57 PM
Reply to  Shane Taylor

I don’t like that Cooks now will be on five different teams at age 29. Just strike me a bit unusual for a first rounder. But we will see.

Troy Cooper
Troy Cooper
Jul 9, 2023 4:47 PM

I think Gilmore will have more obvious value simply because I expect to see at least three high quality receivers to show up for the offense this year. But in truth you may have to wait till late in the season and ask the players. Both Gilmore and Cooks have a lot to teach and are doing their best to elevate the games of the more junior players. That willingness to coach one’s teammates can be a tremendous impact that does not show up in the stats.

George Lansford
George Lansford
Jul 9, 2023 5:01 PM

Remember, its not how many catches Cooks gets, it’s the better looks and coverage Lamb and Gallup get.

George Jackson
George Jackson
Jul 9, 2023 7:00 PM

Bith

George Jackson
George Jackson
Jul 9, 2023 7:00 PM

Both

Brian Bearint
Brian Bearint
Jul 9, 2023 7:23 PM

D back is so much harder than being a receiver.

Joseph Turner
Joseph Turner
Jul 9, 2023 7:42 PM

Gilmore will add the most benefit, but Cooks will have the better stats. I can see QBs avoiding Gilmore and he only ends up with 2 or 3 picks while Cooks will go out and get 900+ yards.

Tyler Medeiros
Tyler Medeiros
Jul 9, 2023 9:21 PM

Doesn’t matter we aren’t going deep in playoffs with Dak at QB

Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers
Jul 12, 2023 12:51 AM
Reply to  Tyler Medeiros

Tyler Medeiros, it hasn’t happened in 27 years. Whose fault was it the 20 years before Dak?

Walter Conkright
Walter Conkright
Jul 10, 2023 12:36 AM

Both

Darryl Thomas
Darryl Thomas
Jul 10, 2023 1:56 AM

THEY BOTH GOING TO HAVE A IMPACT

Oleg Datdude
Oleg Datdude
Jul 10, 2023 2:42 AM

Cooks impact will be more of a decoy for CD Lamb who will catch even more balls this year Gilmore on the other hand will have some pics because they will be throwing to his side rather then Diggs

Mark Anderson
Mark Anderson
Jul 10, 2023 10:41 PM

Both will contribute but Dak will lay another egg in the playoffs and all will be forgotten.

Tony Gonzales
Tony Gonzales
Jul 11, 2023 12:05 AM

Gilmore Defense wins championships and Dallas hasn’t had the #1 defense in a while and that changes this year…

Nikki Jamzz
Nikki Jamzz
Jul 11, 2023 5:21 AM

Both

Shannon Jenkins
Shannon Jenkins
Jul 11, 2023 4:03 PM

Gilmore

Kevin Maedel
Kevin Maedel
Jul 11, 2023 4:55 PM

Gilmore

Chase Woodson
Chase Woodson
Jul 11, 2023 8:52 PM

I think cooks is gonna help Dak elevate his game to a level above what we had when Coop was. CeeDee is a top WR and cooks straight line speed is gonna help open of the field and give the defense another level to watch out for in the passing game

Dallas Krewson
Dallas Krewson
Jul 11, 2023 9:16 PM

Cooks will help us score more.Gilmore will help them score less.

Nico Uluivuda
Nico Uluivuda
Jul 12, 2023 12:41 AM

Nothing good will happen with our interception Queen quarterback

Joseph Durant
Joseph Durant
Jul 12, 2023 2:22 AM

Dak had a rookie head coach for the first 5 years who never was a head coach before in Jason Garrett!!! He now has Mike for 2 and some help offensively with Cooks!!! So let’s see what happens next year!!

William Slevenski
William Slevenski
Jul 12, 2023 1:10 PM

Whoever they sign to replace Zeke at center

Shon Hood
Shon Hood
Jul 12, 2023 5:15 PM

Both!!!. Cowboys4life but if I had to pick just one I would probably give the edge to Gilmore because he have had poor play opposite Diggs. Cowboys4life

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