time2rock Posted March 5, 2022 Share Posted March 5, 2022 Should Eagles have interest in Amari Cooper? The first big surprise news out of the NFL Combine has arrived, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting that the Dallas Cowboy are "likely” to move on from receiver Amari Cooper this offseason. Cooper is owed $20 million in guaranteed money by March 20th, which means a move will likely come before then, and likely before the start of the new league year on March 16th. Cooper, 27-years old, is coming off of a season where he played 15 games, catching 68 passes for 865 yards and eight touchdowns. This report could lead to Cooper being traded, and a sign the Cowboys want offers to come in before they have to cut him. As is the case with all players who become available, the Eagles will make a call if Cooper is released to see what it will cost to sign him. It is unlikely they trade for him unless Cooper agrees to a new deal and the draft compensation is low. As a free agent signing, Cooper does make sense for the Eagles. The Eagles are high on Quez Watkins as their No. 2 receiver, but while he does have upside, betting on him to take a big step forward is a major risk for the Eagles. DeVonta Smith had a strong rookie season but the team needs to add a legitimate, veteran receiver opposite him if they truly want to take a big step forward in the passing game next year. Cooper has been one of the most productive receivers in the NFL over the last few seasons and would seem to be a perfect fit opposite Smith. Cooper has the size (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) that Smith does not, but has also shown he can make big plays down the field. Cooper also fits into the age range the Eagles are likely looking for, as he is 27, and would not be a one-year rental. The question with Cooper will really come down to money and where he wants to play. Cooper is going to have a lot of teams interested, which is going to result in his price going up. The Eagles have $18.5 million in salary cap space, and if Cooper is open to a long-term deal, they could stretch the money out and lower the cap hit for 2022. Considering other needs on the roster, however, the Eagles might be hesitant to commit any kind of big money to a receiver. As to whether Cooper would want to come to Philadelphia, the Eagles will likely have to overpay to sign him, considering the team was a bad passing offense last year and won with a run-first approach — something that won’t be very appealing to a free agent receiver. https://www.audacy.com/94wip/sports/eagles/should-eagles-have-interest-in-amari-cooper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talkingbirds Posted March 5, 2022 Share Posted March 5, 2022 Can’t afford him, so no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time2rock Posted March 5, 2022 Author Share Posted March 5, 2022 Quote As is the case with all players who become available, the Eagles will make a call if Cooper is released to see what it will cost to sign him. It is unlikely they trade for him unless Cooper agrees to a new deal and the draft compensation is low. I wouldn't trade for him (there was a piece that came out around the same time suggesting we trade Dillard and Reagor for him ... didn't bother posting but did add the link below for anyone interested in wasting 5 min of your time). https://heavy.com/sports/philadelphia-eagles/amari-cooper-cowboys-trade-2/ If he is cut and becomes a free agent, I can see having interest. But he will likely get paid more than we can (should) pay. Other reliable targets that should come considerably cheaper include Robinson and Chark. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infam Posted March 5, 2022 Share Posted March 5, 2022 Hell no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricAllenPick6 Posted March 5, 2022 Share Posted March 5, 2022 This is a deep FA class. I think we can sit out and watch some of the top guys get gobbled up for big $$$, then swoop in and get a very good quality veteran receiver for less. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesteakitis Posted March 5, 2022 Share Posted March 5, 2022 rather take a risk on someone like will fuller then cooper, didn’t realize he is still only 27 though seems like he has been around forever now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UK_EaglesFan89 Posted March 5, 2022 Share Posted March 5, 2022 I wouldn't hate it but I suspect he's going to be too expensive so no thanks. Our record with Cowboys players isn't great either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time2rock Posted March 5, 2022 Author Share Posted March 5, 2022 19 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said: I wouldn't hate it but I suspect he's going to be too expensive so no thanks. Our record with Cowboys players isn't great either. The only thing I can say is, if they cut him, he may want to stick it to his former team … joining the Eagles for the opportunity to do so 2x/year may entice him to sign for a bit less. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathByEagle Posted March 5, 2022 Share Posted March 5, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miami Posted March 5, 2022 Share Posted March 5, 2022 For sure. He is excellent. Just need a QB that can get him the ball. His price may be too rich but definitely worth kicking the tires. He can take it to the house though Hurts throws a crap deep ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procus Posted March 6, 2022 Share Posted March 6, 2022 In 2017, our best free agent signings were the later, one year, bargain deals - LaGarrette Blount, Patrick Robinson, Chris Long. Best to follow this formula, especially in a year where there is not a lot of cap room. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UK_EaglesFan89 Posted March 6, 2022 Share Posted March 6, 2022 6 hours ago, Procus said: In 2017, our best free agent signings were the later, one year, bargain deals - LaGarrette Blount, Patrick Robinson, Chris Long. Best to follow this formula, especially in a year where there is not a lot of cap room. I think generally the best approach is to complement the draft through FA and not the other way around. Make moves in FA that allow us to be aggressive in the draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time2rock Posted March 6, 2022 Author Share Posted March 6, 2022 11 hours ago, Procus said: In 2017, our best free agent signings were the later, one year, bargain deals - LaGarrette Blount, Patrick Robinson, Chris Long. Best to follow this formula, especially in a year where there is not a lot of cap room. Normally I view free agent signings as a way to round out a roster and add depth. This roster is far from a complete product so I do feel the primary focus should be adding as much young talent possible through the draft that will be on cheap rookie contracts which will have an additional benefit of allowing us to get our cap situation back in shape). But I also think DE is a position we need help in both free agency and the draft. Regarding the former, not with a lower tier signing of an older vet who is past his prime to a 1 year deal to serve as a band aid but with someone who is younger, productive, and can be a part of the defensive nucleus for the next 4+ years. I am pretty much there with S too - our starters are both free agents, over 30, and McLeod has been dealing with increasing injury concerns over the past few years (in particular torn ACLs in both 2018 and 2020). It may be best to sign a proven young S that can man the backend of the defense for the next several years (similar to what we did with McLeod in 2016). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wormlegs Posted March 6, 2022 Share Posted March 6, 2022 No thank you. Too much $$ and would rather go with a someone like Chark for hopefully cheaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob331 Posted March 6, 2022 Share Posted March 6, 2022 On 3/5/2022 at 8:33 AM, time2rock said: I wouldn't trade for him (there was a piece that came out around the same time suggesting we trade Dillard and Reagor for him ... didn't bother posting but did add the link below for anyone interested in wasting 5 min of your time). https://heavy.com/sports/philadelphia-eagles/amari-cooper-cowboys-trade-2/ If he is cut and becomes a free agent, I can see having interest. But he will likely get paid more than we can (should) pay. Other reliable targets that should come considerably cheaper include Robinson and Chark. Jerry Jones is a lot of things, but insane isn't one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EaglesAddict Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 I wouldn't "hate it" if we ended up with Cooper, but I wouldn't "love it" either. Something about him just throws me off. Has anyone seen a report as to why he may be released? I guess he's a cap casualty? Seems odd that a WR still in his prime (age-wise) is being released by a team that loves to have as many good players as it can because we all know Jerry wants another championship, badly. Especially since Gallup is coming off a major injury and is a free agent. Are they banking on Cedric Wilson? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UK_EaglesFan89 Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 He's a really good player. He'd be a really good addition to any team. But what kind of contract is he going to be after? And I'm sure he has a bit of a reputation for going missing at crunch time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricAllenPick6 Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 On 3/7/2022 at 8:55 AM, EaglesAddict said: I wouldn't "hate it" if we ended up with Cooper, but I wouldn't "love it" either. Something about him just throws me off. Has anyone seen a report as to why he may be released? I guess he's a cap casualty? Seems odd that a WR still in his prime (age-wise) is being released by a team that loves to have as many good players as it can because we all know Jerry wants another championship, badly. Especially since Gallup is coming off a major injury and is a free agent. Are they banking on Cedric Wilson? Valid question, I read that the Cowboys view Gallup / Cooper as an either /or situation. They can afford one, but not both. Cooper is paid a lot and did not catch a lot of balls last season, so he's the odd man out. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Gallup will be ready by the start of the season, too. There's probably something else going on there, too. Maybe Dak doesn't like him personally? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EaglesAddict Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 19 minutes ago, EricAllenPick6 said: Valid question, I read that the Cowboys view Gallup / Cooper as an either /or situation. They can afford one, but not both. Cooper is paid a lot and did not catch a lot of balls last season, so he's the odd man out. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Gallup will be ready by the start of the season, too. There's probably something else going on there, too. Maybe Dak doesn't like him personally? Yeah I tend to think there's something else going on there too. Prob best just to avoid him if I'm the Eagles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggs Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 Traded to the Brown for a 5th round pick. While that seems cheap for a starting WR, his cap hit is $ 22 MM a year for each of the next three years. For that much money, you could have two very good WRs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesteakitis Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 glad that nonsense is over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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