Tag: Amari Cooper

Will a change of scenery help Jerry Jeudy’s fantasy prospects?

Does this former Bronco have a shot at living up to his potential in Cleveland?

Few fantasy players are more polarizing than Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. The 15th overall pick in the 2020 draft, expectations were high that Jeudy’s college success at Alabama would translate to the Broncos offense. Unfortunately for him (and those who drafted him) it hasn’t worked out that way.

In four seasons with the Broncos he never had a 1,000-yard season and finished three seasons with fewer than 55 receptions and three or fewer touchdowns. Those numbers are what you would expect from a No. 3 receiver in an NFL offense, not a WR1. The closest he ever came to putting up numbers worthy of being in weekly lineup consideration was in 2022 when he caught 67 passes for 972 yards and six touchdowns.

Denver’s disenchantment with Jeudy’s lack of high-end production ended this spring when the Broncos traded him to the Browns for a pair of late-round draft picks. Reviews on the trade are mixed. While he hasn’t proved he can be a star receiver in the NFL, Cleveland gave him a three-year, $58 million extension following the trade.

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Jeudy comes to an offense loaded with skill position talent with running backs Nick Chubb (knee) and Jerome Ford, wide receivers Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore and tight end David Njoku. That represents a lot of competition for passes and the biggest issue surrounds the wheelman of the offense, quarterback Deshaun Watson.

One of the most electrifying quarterbacks in the league when he was in Houston, Watson missed all of the 2021 season with legal issues and hasn’t lived up to his massive contract with the Browns (five years, $230 million fully guaranteed). In two seasons in Cleveland, Watson has played in just 12 games, averaging 185 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. When evaluating any receiver, his quarterback has to factor into the equation, and there are many more questions than answers with Watson heading into Year 3 of his Cleveland deal.

Fantasy football outlook

Too many red flags pop up in the marriage between Jeudy and the Browns. Jeudy has been a career disappointment, and he’s coming into an offense that boasts considerable competition for targets. The biggest concern is building a rapport with Watson, which won’t come as easily as it might seem.

In November, Watson had surgery to repair a fractured right shoulder socket, which can be a career-ending injury for a quarterback. The Browns coaching and medical staffs are going to take their time bringing Watson back, which hurts Jeudy more than the other receivers that Watson has already worked with and developed timing. Getting meaningful reps between a quarterback and receivers is critical to success, and Jeudy isn’t going to get enough of that until the regular season begins, which should drop his value markedly.

At best, Jeudy is a WR5 in a 12-manager league because of the questions surrounding his arrival to Cleveland. Anywhere before No. 5 is taking too big a gamble. However, at WR5 the risk is minimized and if he washes out there wasn’t a significant investment made. Judy has been a disappointment thus far in his career, but he still has the talent to turn things around. By the time WR5 types are coming off the board, the potential reward will finally meet up with the risk.

Fantasy Football Top-10 Repeatability: Wide Receivers

Take a step back and see how the Top-10 WRs change from year to year.

Wide receivers are the most plentiful position given that offenses use two or three on most plays. And value exists further out than it does on running backs as the only other position that requires more than one fantasy starter. That all said, a Top-10 wide receiver makes a difference, producing far better stats and consistent results each week.

see: Quarterback | Running back | Tight end

Fantasy drafters naturally raid the previous Top-10 in the first couple of rounds, and there’s even a “Zero RB” strategy where teams load up on wideouts and later collect whatever running backs that are still left. In the end, it’s all about picking the right players. This summer, a first round may hold more wideouts than any other position. That’s quite the transition from years past where maybe one or two may have been selected. Running backs and wide receivers have almost completely swapped their perceived value in the eyes of fantasy drafters.

Check out just how volatile the Top-10 has been for the last five seasons.

Chance of repeating Top-10 = 50%

Wide receivers have long been one of the most consistent players to repeat an elite year. Consider that Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, and Davante Adams are currently on four-year streaks and would have been joined by Justin Jefferson had he not been injured last season.

Whereas running backs are in constant flux, there is a lot of reliability with wideouts. Always bet on the talent with wide receivers, much more than their situation.

A look at two years back is just as revealing. Consider the Top-10 from 2021 compared to last year:

Hunter Renfrow (No. 10) was the only Cinderella in the bunch.The other three that fell were all injured. You could draft wideouts with a two-year old cheatsheet and still likely end up with a solid group for your fantasy team.

Will 2024 mark the start of a Deshaun Watson redemption arc?

What are the odds of a Watson rebound in 2024?

In March of 2022, the Cleveland Browns sent first-round picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as a third-rounder in 2023, plus fourth-rounders in ’22 and 2024, to the Houston Texans in exchange for quarterback Deshaun Watson and a ’24 sixth-round pick. After two seasons, this checks in as one of the worst trades in NFL history from Cleveland’s perspective. Will things finally get better in 2024? Let’s take an early peek.

During his two years in a Browns uniform, Watson has appeared in 12 games. He served an 11-game suspension in 2022, and he missed 11 games last year due to a shoulder injury that required surgery to correct. He has been a limited participant in offseason workouts, but the expectation is he will be ready to go in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Cleveland has made some notable changes since the last time Watson took the field. Perhaps the biggest one is the hiring of new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, who worked with Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen during his tenure as the OC. Dorsey was named the quarterbacks coach when Allen was in his second season, and he helped shepherd his ascent to stardom before eventually taking over as the play caller in 2022.

On the field, the Browns acquired wide receiver Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos, ironically parting ways with the sixth-round selection they picked up from Houston in the Watson deal (along with a fifth-round choice). That gives Cleveland a top three of Jeudy (54-758-2 last year), Amari Cooper (72-1,250-5), and Elijah Moore (59-640-2) at receiver to go along with tight end David Njoku (81-882-6), who finally took a major step statistically last year.

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Health and contract issues could play a part in how effective Cleveland is offensively in 2024. In addition to Watson, who still isn’t throwing every day as he works his way back from shoulder surgery, running back Nick Chubb (knee) faces an uncertain future after suffering a gruesome knee injury last year. On the money side, Cooper didn’t take part in the offseason program as he enters the final year of his contract.

All those changes should lead to a more aggressive, pass-oriented offense under Dorsey, which could breathe some life into Watson, who last posted a meaningful statistical season back in 2020 — he threw for 4,823 yards, 33 TDs, and seven INTs while rushing for 444 yards and three TDs.

Fantasy football outlook

The numbers that Watson put up in 2020 bordered on elite, and it shows what he is capable of … or at least what he was capable of. Three full seasons have passed since then, during which he’s played in a dozen games with 2,217 yards passing, 14 TDs, and nine INTs.

At this stage, the veteran needs to be viewed as a borderline top-20 quarterback on draft day, though his dual-threat potential makes him one of the more intriguing backup options.

Eagles corner Darius Slay has high praise for Browns WR Amari Cooper

Big praise from the Philadelphia stand out

Star wide receiver Amari Cooper is looking for a new contract to cash in on his success since joining the Cleveland Browns. And Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowler Darius Slay thinks he deserves every penny.

While appearing on Chris Long’s podcast Green Light, Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay was asked who the most underappreciated wide receiver in the NFL is. Slay named Cooper and said he isn’t being treated right by the Browns since they haven’t given him the new payday he seeks.

That doesn’t completely match up, as the Browns have been engaging with Cooper’s agents on a new deal that includes a pay raise this season but haven’t reached an agreement yet. But I wholeheartedly agree that he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves from fans and some media members that he deserves.

I would be shocked if the team doesn’t get a contract extension and pay raise with Cooper done before the season starts.

Browns WR Amari Cooper: ‘I’m trying to get paid this year’

The Browns’ wideout makes his intentions clear

The Cleveland Browns and star wide receiver are currently at an impasse.

It’s not news to anyone in Cleveland that Cooper wants a new deal as he enters the last year of his current contract. Cooper is slated to make $20 million this year from the Browns.

Now, Cooper was seen joking around about a race with an individual from betr, and he dropped the following line:

“I’d pull a hamstring trying to race you. I’m trying to get paid this year.”

 

If Cooper and the Browns do not get a deal done by the time training camp rolls around in a month, it will be interesting to see if Cooper risks further fines to holdout in hopes of a new deal. At 30 years old, it has been revealed that Cooper and the Browns cannot come to terms on the length of his new contract.

Cooper would like a longer extension while the Browns have only been willing to offer a one-year extension and a pay raise in 2024.

Still, it would be a surprise to see Cooper and the Browns fail to find a compromise.

Report: Browns and Amari Cooper struggling to agree on new deal length

So far the team and Cooper can’t agree on a new deal’s length

Entering the final year of his contract, Cleveland Browns star wide receiver Amari Cooper wants a new deal.

He held out of mandatory minicamp last week, and the team has discussed a new deal with him. Cooper has been fantastic for the team since being traded from the Dallas Cowboys a few years ago.

According to a report from the OBR’s Brad Stainbrook, the team and Cooper are struggling to agree on the length of a potential new deal.

“Money is not the main issue. The Browns are willing to give Cooper an increased salary for this season. The sticking point is the length of the deal.”

Stainbrook goes on to say the team is essentially only offering to add one year to his deal, while Cooper wants two for more security. In the end, I think the Browns get this deal done because they know just how valuable he is to this passing attack.

Browns WR Amari Cooper holding out of mandatory minicamp in final year of contract

One key member is not present at mandatory minicamp.

Entering the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Browns, wide receiver Amari Cooper is not in attendance at minicamp.

Starting today, the Browns enter the mandatory part of their offseason program. Cooper is the only player on the team who is not there as he and the team work out a new deal beyond the 2024 season. He is subject to fines for missing.

This is a common practice for players entering the last year of their deal without a resolution, and it usually leads to a new deal getting done. Even entering the regular season a year ago, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones sat out their Week 1 game waiting on the team to get a deal done with his camp.

Cooper has been a key part of the offensive success in Cleveland through the air. He led the Browns in receiving in both 2023 and 2024, racking up 1,250 yards and five touchdowns on 72 catches a year ago.

Look for a compromise to be reached soon.

2024 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Receivers

Cardinals and Bears looking at a sweet schedule for the receivers

The strength of schedule for receivers lumps wide receivers and tight ends together since each team uses the positions differently. While overall averages are interesting, no position is as sensitive to individual matchups as are receivers facing particular defensive backs. This makes the analysis less accurate than that for running backs and quarterbacks. The best receiver for an offense invariably draws the best coverage defender, if not more than one on most plays.

The analysis also considers the venue. There is a difference between how defenses respond either home or away, and that creates 64 “different defensive matchups” depending on where the game is played.

SEE ALSO: Quarterbacks | Running Backs

The average passing fantasy points allowed by defenses for receivers last year is at the bottom of this page.

Total Points

For fantasy contests and some leagues, only total points matter. Below are the total points for each passing offense according to their schedule using the averages allowed by those defenses in 2023 .

PHI CHI DET ARI GB ATL SF NYJ IND CLE HOU
781 774 768 766 754 746 745 745 743 733 731
CAR DAL LV NO WAS BUF BAL SEA NE MIN
728 726 724 723 723 719 718 717 716 713
TEN KC NYG TB PIT CIN LAR DEN MIA LAC JAC
711 707 703 701 700 698 697 693 690 689 687

 

Weekly Play

Three different views are below. Week 1 to 17 is the full-season fantasy strength of schedule. “The Dorey Rule” says to draft like the season only lasted the first six weeks for a hot start. Finally, Weeks 15 to 17 represent the most common fantasy playoffs. “Good” games were when they faced one of the top 22 venues from last year; “Bad” was when they played in one of the worst 22.

Wk 1-17 SOS Good Bad First 6 Gms SOS Good Bad Playoffs SOS Good Bad
CHI 5 8 3 HOU 3 4 1 CHI 3 3 0
ARI 5 8 3 NYJ 3 3 0 SF 3 3 0
DET 4 7 3 SEA 3 4 1 CIN 2 2 0
GB 3 6 3 ARI 2 3 1 CLE 2 2 0
SF 3 6 3 TB 2 4 2 TEN 2 2 0
NYJ 3 6 3 IND 2 2 0 ATL 1 2 1
BUF 2 5 3 CHI 2 3 1 LAC 1 2 1
NE 2 7 5 NE 2 3 1 GB 1 1 0
IND 1 5 4 DET 2 3 1 NO 1 1 0
BAL 1 5 4 WAS 1 2 1 MIN 0 1 1
ATL 0 6 6 GB 0 2 2 LV 0 1 1
CLE 0 6 6 SF 0 1 1 WAS 0 1 1
HOU 0 6 6 DEN 0 1 1 JAC 0 1 1
DAL 0 6 6 BAL 0 2 2 NE 0 1 1
TEN 0 6 6 BUF 0 2 2 DEN 0 1 1
CAR -1 5 6 MIA 0 1 1 NYJ 0 1 1
LV -1 4 5 PHI -1 1 2 BUF 0 1 1
NO -1 5 6 CLE -1 2 3 PHI -1 1 2
SEA -1 5 6 CAR -1 2 3 KC -1 0 1
PHI -2 5 7 ATL -1 1 2 BAL -1 0 1
WAS -2 4 6 NYG -1 2 3 ARI -1 0 1
MIN -2 3 5 KC -1 1 2 DAL -1 1 2
MIA -2 2 4 LAR -1 1 2 DET -1 0 1
KC -3 4 7 PIT -2 2 4 LAR -1 0 1
NYG -3 5 8 NO -2 2 4 CAR -1 0 1
CIN -3 4 7 DAL -2 1 3 HOU -1 1 2
LAR -3 3 6 JAC -2 1 3 MIA -1 0 1
TB -4 4 8 LAC -2 0 2 IND -2 0 2
PIT -4 5 9 MIN -2 0 2 TB -2 0 2
LAC -4 3 7 LV -3 0 3 PIT -2 0 2
JAC -4 4 8 CIN -3 1 4 NYG -3 0 3
DEN -5 2 7 TEN -3 1 4 SEA -3 0 3

Best schedule strength

DJ Moore/Keenan Allen (CHI) – The Bears feature the top quarterback from the 2024 draft and that throws risk into the equation even for an elite talent. DJ Moore was new last year and succeeded but now has the young quarterback and will share with Keenan Allen. Caleb Williams still needs to prove his talent, but he has two competent receivers enjoying the lightest schedule strength in the NFL.

Marvin Harrison Jr./Trey McBride (ARI) – The Arizona receivers also face the same best-case schedule for 2024, but unlike the Bears, their quarterback is the veteran, and the wideout is the top-drafted in his position this year. Trey McBride was a breakout second-year tight end who returns to the same quarterback, coaches and scheme. Marvin Harrison Jr. is in a very advantageous position with marginal competition from the other Cardinal wideouts and also faces the softest schedule.

Amon-Ra St. Brown/Sam LaPorta (DET) – This is an interesting development. The Lions return the same scheme and players including Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was No. 2 in receptions last year (119) and Sam LaPorta who was the top fantasy tight end despite being a rookie. Now, all that greatness from 2024 is pitted against the third-best schedule strength. The only marginal downside is that there are no light matchups left after Week 13.

Garrett Wilson/Mike Williams (NYJ) – Can it finally be the Jets’ year? Garrett Wilson shined regardless of the otherwise mediocrity at quarterback last season. He gets, assumedly, a healthy Aaron Rodgers and a lighter schedule to boost his 2024 potential. Mike Williams has to learn a new offense and return from his ACL tear but at least face a lighter slate of defensive venues. The rookie Malachi Corley could also figure in if Williams is slow to return to form.

Worst schedule strength

Courtland Sutton/Josh Reynolds (DEN) – As if the coin flip between Bo Nix and Zach Wilson wasn’t scary enough, the Broncos are looking at the cruelest schedule for receivers with just two light matchups. They have a stretch during the season where eight games contain six bad venues and no good ones.

Christian Kirk/Brian Thomas (JAC) – The Jaguars lost Calvin Ridley but replaced him with Brian Thomas Jr., which should be a wash, if only eventually. The only saving grace to their rough outlook with eight poor matchups is that they had one of the worst schedules last year, and 2024 may be bad, but it is slightly better than 2023.

Joshua Palmer/Quentin Johnston (LAC) – It was already scary enough losing Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. And bringing in a far more conservative offensive scheme that seeks to run more and pass less. But the Chargers have one of the weakest pair of starters going against one of the worst schedule strengths which include only three lighter matchups all year.

George Pickens/Van Jefferson/Roman Wilson (PIT) – The Steelers imported the Falcons offense when they hired OC Arthur Smith who is fresh from the crash-and-burn of the Atlanta passing game the last couple of seasons. Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields learn that new run-heavy scheme with sketchy receivers outside of George Pickens and face an NFL-worst nine games facing the toughest venues.

2024 weekly grid 

Fantasy points allowed per game to WRs

These are the values applied to this year’s schedule to determine strength of schedule for wide receivers and tight ends.

@PHI @MIN NYG DET CHI TB LAC DEN @WAS WAS JAC PHI @CIN LAR SEA @TEN
62.2 58.6 57.3 56.6 56.2 55.9 55.2 54.1 53.9 53.2 52.1 51.6 51.5 51.5 50.6 49.9
@DET @IND @MIA CIN MIA KC @SF @LAR ATL CLE @HOU @TB TEN @GB LVR HOU
49.8 49.4 48.7 47.8 47.8 47.7 47.7 47.0 46.9 46.6 46.2 45.9 45.9 45.4 45.3 45.1
PIT @LAC @JAC BUF NE @PIT @ARI @SEA SF NO ARI @DAL MIN @DEN BAL GB
45.0 44.9 44.8 44.8 44.5 44.4 44.3 44.1 43.8 43.8 43.4 43.0 43.0 42.5 42.3 41.9
@LVR @NO @BAL @NYG IND @NE @ATL CAR @CAR @BUF DAL @NYJ @CHI NYJ @KC @CLE
41.7 41.4 41.2 40.5 39.9 39.5 38.8 38.4 36.8 36.7 35.5 34.6 34.3 32.9 30.2 29.2

 

Fantasy Football Consistency Rankings – Wide Receivers

Consistent wideouts are key to a high fantasy scoring every week.

This ranking considers wide receivers that started at least 11 games in 2023. Fantasy points were derived using one point per 10 yards rushed or received, six-point touchdowns and one point receptions. The consistency in scoring at least 15 fantasy points per game declined rapidly.

See Also:  Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Tight Ends

Wide Receiver Consistency

Wide Receiver 15-pt % GMS 15-PT 25-PT 5-CATCH 100 YDS TD
Amon-Ra St. Brown 88% 16 14 4 14 9 10
CeeDee Lamb 76% 17 13 8 12 8 10
Tyreek Hill 75% 16 12 9 14 8 11
Justin Jefferson 70% 10 7 5 8 5 4
Tank Dell 60% 10 6 3 6 3 6
Mike Evans 59% 17 10 5 9 3 11
Stefon Diggs 59% 17 10 3 12 5 6
Michael Pittman Jr. 56% 16 9 1 13 3 4
Keenan Allen 54% 13 7 4 11 5 5
Deebo Samuel 53% 15 8 3 6 3 5
A.J. Brown 53% 17 9 3 13 7 5
Garrett Wilson 53% 17 9 0 11 2 3
Puka Nacua 53% 17 9 3 11 7 6
Brandon Aiyuk 50% 16 8 2 9 7 6
Chris Olave 50% 16 8 0 11 5 5
Jayden Reed 50% 16 8 1 4 1 6
Adam Thielen 47% 17 8 3 12 3 4
DeVonta Smith 44% 16 7 0 9 2 7
Jakobi Meyers 44% 16 7 1 8 0 7
Christian Kirk 42% 12 5 0 5 2 3
Cooper Kupp 42% 12 5 3 6 4 5
Davante Adams 41% 17 7 2 12 3 6
DJ Moore 41% 17 7 4 10 5 6
Jordan Addison 41% 17 7 2 7 2 8
Amari Cooper 40% 15 6 1 7 5 4
Nico Collins 40% 15 6 4 8 5 7
Marquise Brown 38% 13 5 0 5 0 4
Courtland Sutton 38% 16 6 0 5 0 10
DK Metcalf 38% 16 6 1 8 3 6
Gabe Davis 38% 16 6 0 4 3 7
Zay Flowers 38% 16 6 0 9 1 5
Calvin Ridley 35% 17 6 2 8 4 6
DeAndre Hopkins 35% 17 6 2 6 3 5
Terry McLaurin 35% 17 6 1 10 1 4
Tyler Lockett 35% 17 6 1 8 0 4
Rashid Shaheed 33% 15 5 0 3 1 5
Tee Higgins 33% 12 4 2 4 2 3
Brandin Cooks 31% 16 5 1 3 1 8
Ja’Marr Chase 31% 16 5 4 9 5 5
Rashee Rice 31% 16 5 0 8 2 7
Diontae Johnson 31% 13 4 0 3 0 5
Joshua Palmer 30% 10 3 0 3 2 2
Noah Brown 30% 10 3 1 3 2 2
George Pickens 29% 17 5 2 5 5 4
Romeo Doubs 29% 17 5 0 3 0 7
Jaylen Waddle 29% 14 4 2 8 3 4
Curtis Samuel 25% 16 4 0 5 1 3
Chris Godwin 24% 17 4 1 11 2 2
Darius Slayton 24% 17 4 0 1 1 4

Wide receivers have become more consistent as the NFL becomes more vested in their passing offenses. Amon-Ra St. Brown led this metric by a healthy amount while CeeDee Lamb and Tyreek Hill both shined as well. Justin Jefferson was at the top of every category after 2022 but dropped due to injury and now contends with a rookie quarterback. Even though he missed seven games, he was still the No. 4 wideout for consistency.

Tank Dell only played in ten games but broke his leg. But he ended as the No. 5 wideout in consistency.  There were thirteen wideouts with more than 50% consistency. But that shows for consistent points from your receivers, you need to pick one from the first two rounds.

25 points Gms 5 Catches Gms 100-Yard  Gms Touchdowns Gms
Tyreek Hill 9 A  St. Brown 14 A St. Brown 9 Tyreek Hill 11
CeeDee Lamb 8 Tyreek Hill 14 CeeDee Lamb 8 Mike Evans 11
Justin Jefferson 5 M Pittman Jr. 13 Tyreek Hill 8 A  St. Brown 10
Mike Evans 5 A.J. Brown 13 A.J. Brown 7 CeeDee Lamb 10
Amon-Ra St. Brown 4 CeeDee Lamb 12 Puka Nacua 7 Courtland Sutton 10
Keenan Allen 4 Stefon Diggs 12 Brandon Aiyuk 7 Jordan Addison 8
DJ Moore 4 Adam Thielen 12 Justin Jefferson 5 Brandin Cooks 8
Nico Collins 4 Davante Adams 12 Stefon Diggs 5 DeVonta Smith 7
Ja’Marr Chase 4 Keenan Allen 11 Keenan Allen 5 Jakobi Meyers 7
Tank Dell 3 Garrett Wilson 11 Chris Olave 5 Nico Collins 7
Stefon Diggs 3 Puka Nacua 11 DJ Moore 5 Gabe Davis 7
Deebo Samuel 3 Chris Olave 11 Amari Cooper 5 Rashee Rice 7
A.J. Brown 3 Chris Godwin 11 Nico Collins 5 Romeo Doubs 7
Puka Nacua 3 DJ Moore 10 Ja’Marr Chase 5
Adam Thielen 3 Terry McLaurin 10 George Pickens 5
Cooper Kupp 3

Tyreek Hill, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and CeeDee Lamb were featured in all categories. But Mike Evans tied for No. 3 in 25-point games and Mike Evans tied for No. 1 with 11 games with a touchdown. Almost a quarter of starting quarterbacks are new to their team, so there may be more consistency changes for 2024 than recent years.

Amari Cooper trade value on last legs with Cowboys’ Matt Waletzko

With the pick received from the Amari Cooper trade, the Cowboys added Matt Waletzko, says @ReidDHanson.

The Cowboys made one of their all-time boldest midseason moves when they traded a first-round pick to the Raiders for Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper in 2018. Cooper, 24 at the time, transformed Dallas’ passing attack almost overnight. After starting the season 3-5, the Cowboys would go on to win seven of their next eight, advancing to the second round of the playoffs and establishing the Cowboys as one of the NFL’s most preeminent offenses for years to come.

By 2022, the tide had turned in Dallas. Citing price and availability, but possibly involving matters outside of the game itself, Cooper was sent packing for Cleveland. Despite being regarded as one of the top WRs in the game, Dallas only received a fifth rounder and a sixth-round pick swap in return.

The pick swap brought over Devin Harper, a player no longer on the roster. That fifth-round pick produced Matt Waletzko, an offensive tackle from North Dakota.

Waletzko, considered a possible sleeper pick by many draftniks, represented both risk and reward. The 6-foot-8, 320-pound OT boasted 36-inch arms and quick feet. He came from a humble program well outside the Power Five but impressed enough throughout Senior Bowl practices to show he had true NFL potential.

Lingering shoulder issues and various other injuries have held Waletzko back since joining the Cowboys. The now-24-year-old has only played in four games as a pro, logging just 19 snaps between special teams and offense. Facing a crowded position group in 2024, it’s put-up or shut-up time for Waletzko this season and the Cowboys last chance to savage any value from the head-scratching trade they made two years ago.

Since the trade, Cooper has gone on to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2023 while logging a career-high receiving total in the process. Michael Gallup, the man the Cowboys chose to pay instead of Cooper back in 2022, never fully rebounded from a January 2022 ACL injury. Dallas released Gallup over the offseason leaving only Waletzko as an on-roster reminder of the trade that still bothers fans to this day.

With so many unknowns at left tackle, right tackle and swing tackle, Waletzko will certainly have an opportunity to compete for a spot. A reserve role may be his only realistic chance at making the roster in 2024. It’s not a Pro Bowl return for Cooper but most will agree even a reserve role is better than nothing.

The Cowboys are unlikely to get anything close to fair trade value from the Cooper trade two years ago but as long as Walezko’s on the roster, the Cowboys can at least claim something.

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