Lots of changes are on the way for the Cowboys under new head coach Mike McCarthy, but the hope is to keep two of their big-name wide receivers in the fold. On Wednesday, McCarthy confirmed that the plan is to retain star Amari Cooper and former Packers star Randall Cobb on the roster (Twitter link via Jon Machota of The Athletic).
Cobb is coming off of a one-year, $5MM deal with $4MM guaranteed. McCarthy saw the slot receiver up-close in his prime, so it stands to reason that he could have a role in the offense.
Keeping Cooper, meanwhile, would be much more costly. Last year, the former first-round pick posted 79 catches with career-high marks in receiving yards (1,189) and touchdowns (8). He’s indicated that he won’t strictly seek dollars in his next deal, but any multi-year deal for Cooper will place him at or near the top of the WR market.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- The Giants are “open for business” when it comes to trading back in the draft, GM Dave Gettleman says (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY). Still, the GM knows that there’s “risk” involved with giving up a prized selection, such as the Giants’ No. 4 overall pick. If the Giants stand pat, they could be in line for a prime Gettleman “hog mollie” in Alabama tackle Jedrick Wills. They also have ample cap room to fill their other needs, especially after cutting linebackers Alec Ogletree and Kareem Martin.
- If the Giants use the franchise tag to keep defensive lineman Leonard Williams and classify him as a defensive tackle, they may have to prepare for a fight, Vacchiano hears. Tagging Williams as a defensive end would net him about $2MM more in 2020 comp, but he might not have much of a case. Last year, Williams saw 466 DT snaps versus just 255 DE snaps. His split wasn’t all that different with the Jets, either.
- No surprise here, but Cowboys VP Stephen Jones says the team will prioritize defense with many notables on course for free agency. “In general, defense is the priority for this offseason,” Jones said (via Michael Gehlken of the Dallas News). “Whether it’s getting some our own guys back or whether it’s free agency or whether it’s the draft, if you look at our roster obviously most of our offensive roster are either under contract or are going to have restrictions to where we’re going to have a great opportunity to keep them.” Secondary stalwart Byron Jones is getting a lot of attention, but several defensive line pieces including Robert Quinn and Maliek Collins are also out-of-contract.
HUGE mistake on Giants winning last few games. Cost them a chance at the next LT in Chase Young
DE not LT
Lawrence Taylor, not Left Tackle.
Lawrence Taylor is what he meant
The Leonard Williams semi-drama just serves as more of a reminder that Gettleman flushed draft picks down the crapper in order to acquire him when they could have just signed him in the offseason. Fireable offense on its own, imo.
He stink he shouldn’t have been signed in the offseason to begin with now they’re going to resign him to make up for a bad trade
Cowboys should franchise tag Dak Prescott to avoid paying him heaps on a long deal. Give him 1 more year to prove it under McCarthy. Then keep Byron Jones.
I know it hasn’t happened before but then complete a sign and trade both ways with Leonard Williams for Amari Cooper. Cowboys already pay way to many of its offensive pieces to pay Cooper big money and it needs a defensive piece to pressure the opposing QB. Giants get a replacement for OBJ and build an offence with Jones Barkley and Engram while still having some good young defensive linemen.
Cowboys still have Dak, Zeke, Gallup, Cobb and I’d also bring in Dez Bryant on a cheap deal and you have the best O line. While upgrading your defence with Williams and keeping Jones. Add them with DeMarcus Lawrence, Jaylen Smith and LVE and your good on both sides of the ball