So it’s mid-July, half the preseason is cancelled, and we are unsure about what a 2020 NFL season will even look like.
You guessed it, it’s anonymous scout quote time!
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler talked to more than 50 league executives, coaches, scouts, and players to rank the best 10 wide receivers in the NFL heading into the 2020 season. Out of this work done by Jeremy Fowler came one quote of particular interest to Cowboys fans, in which an anonymous personnel man said that he wanted nothing to do with Amari Cooper during free agency.
“There’s something holding him back. He was the best receiver on the market and I didn’t want to sign him.”
This is…something.
Amari Cooper is a former first round pick who’s made four Pro Bowls in five seasons, has eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving four times, and has scored at least 7 touchdowns three times. He’s a clear number one wide out who developed instant chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott, turning around the Cowboys’ 2018 season and earning a five year, $100 million contract this offseason.
And yet, can you see where this anonymous scout is coming from at all? Because, maybe?
Cooper’s home/road splits last season were weird, and the guy disappeared in a couple of the team’s biggest games (i.e. at Philadelphia in December). Of course, he didn’t seem healthy and was not his full self down the stretch of the season, but it’s not crazy at all to say that in a vacuum you wouldn’t want to pay close to Julio Jones type money.
Cooper will be getting reinforcements on the offense this season, however. Michael Gallup has developed into a legit number two option and rookie CeeDee Lamb has arrived to create big plays as well. This is a dynamic and explosive passing offense in the making, and Amari Cooper is at the helm of those weapons.
He’s as precise a route runner as you’ll find in the league, and he’s clearly a top 8-10 receiver who can bolt himself to the top 3-5 certain weeks.
I’m ecstatic to have Amari Cooper in Dallas for the long haul. And if something is holding this guy back, then the league should be terrified about what could happen if he breaks free.
