At this time of year the majority of the talk surrounding the NFL is about which teams have the best chance to make the playoffs and what scenarios have to play out for each organization to secure one of those coveted spots.
There was however some news that I thought was out of the ordinary for this time of the year and it had to do with one of the better young wide receivers in the NFL, Brandin Cooks.
There is a rumor going around that Cooks is unhappy with his role with the New Orleans Saints and could potentially be on the trade market this off-season.
Now, this could be nothing more than a rumor about a player that wants to be more involved in the game plan, but if he is on the trade block this off-season, there should be several teams highly interested in acquiring a player of his caliber.
Of course, when anyone as well known as Brandin Cooks is available via trade or on the open market, they are always somehow linked to the Dallas Cowboys.
So, I thought I would take a look and see if the Cowboys should be even remotely interested?
Why the Dallas Cowboys could be interested…
Brandin Cooks is an electrifying player who could join the team and instantly upgrade the passing game for the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys will have to address the wide receiver position at some point during the off-season, either through the draft or free agency. Both Terrance Williams and Brice Butler are in the last year of their contracts, but neither player has the game changing ability that Cooks possesses.
Cooks is that deep threat/big-play wide receiver that the Cowboys offense has not had in over a decade. Already this season he has had a 98 yard reception for a touchdown in Week 1 and an 87 yard TD in Week 6.
Having that kind of big-play WR would open up things for the entire offense for the Dallas Cowboys and give Dak Prescott yet another weapon at his disposal.
Also, defenses would finally have to devote extra attention to a wide receiver not named Dez Bryant. Can you imagine how dangerous #88 would be if he is single covered more?
Cooks would also help the Cowboys impressive running game. No longer would teams be able to play an extra defender in the box to try and contain Ezekiel Elliott.
So, you could see why the Dallas Cowboys could be interested in trading for Brandin Cooks.
Why the Dallas Cowboys shouldn’t be interested…
First off, the New Orleans Saints aren’t just going to give Brandin Cooks away. They are going to try and get as much as they can in return from any team interested in acquiring the young WR.
I think the Saints will likely be looking for a second round draft pick at the very least, but it would likely take the Dallas Cowboys first-round draft pick in 2017 since they should be selecting later in the round.
That’s a hefty asking price for a player the Cowboys would likely have to offer a long-term contract to since Cooks will be in the fourth and final year of his rookie deal.
The Cowboys already invested heavily in Dez Bryant and still have Zack Martin to lock up for the future. So, would they really be willing to spend more money on the offensive side of the ball?
Also, the Cowboys have really focused on building through the draft these past few years and it’s worked out well for them. Spending big money on player seems to be a thing of the past, but you never know what they might do if Jerry Jones falls in love with someone?
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Overall, I think the likelihood of Brandin Cooks joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2017 is a longshot. But, there is no denying that he could turn an already potent offense into an unstoppable force.
I guess we will all just have to wait and see if Cooks is indeed on the trade market this off-season and if there will be any interest by the Dallas Cowboys.
Do you think the Dallas Cowboys should be interested in Brandin Cooks?
Please feel free to use the comment section below to share your thoughts and opinions about the likelihood of Brandon Cooks wearing a star in 2017.
I think Brandin is just tired of losing. His stats are right on pace with last year and with the addition of Michael Thomas who is having a stellar rookie campaign and Brees there this offense is capable of putting up points. The problem is the defense. I don’t know how he can say he isn’t happy with the way he’s being used since his stats are tracking with last year. They just need to.get better on defense and they can get back to winning. But to answer the question no I don’t think they should pay what it would take to get him. The Saints will ask too much. The good thing for anyone signing is he has one more year on his rookie contract with a 5th year option. But this is just noise from losing. I don’t think he is going anywhere. However he is a California boy and played at Oregon State so I think Chip Kelley might have some familiarity with him and would be a good for in their offense.
Thanks for commenting Randy. I agree with everything you said. I think the Cowboys would have to give up would be way too much. Although I like what he could do for the offense, but it’s not worth investing so much in a player when the Cowboys have more pressing needs on both offense and defense.