Tag: Byron Jones

News: Jones in high demand, but Cooper not? Cowboys’ Dak contingencies

Also, backup plans for Dak Prescott, Michael Bennett eyes a Seattle return, Jaylon Smith talks business, and how coronavirus impacts Dallas.

Several Cowboys players are inching closer to new contracts, but some of them may be signed by other teams. Michael Bennett might be on his way out of Dallas, Byron Jones is a red-hot commodity, Amari Cooper may not be as sought-after as anticipated, and Robert Quinn’s status is a genuine wild card. And as Prescott Payday Watch drags on, some talking head-types are starting to kick around their thoughts on what the team should do if the starting quarterback holds out in a deal dispute.

All that, plus news on how the coronavirus is affecting team business, Blake Jarwin may be called on to step up, Jaylon Smith talks business, a Dallas wideout is in legal trouble, more mock drafts… and DeMarcus Ware shows he still has legitimate hops. Here’s the News and Notes.

Reports: Some teams expect Byron Jones to become the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history :: Blogging the Boys

Someone is about to break their piggy bank wide open for the Pro Bowl cornerback, but it almost certainly won’t be Jerry Jones as Byron Jones is expected to ink a deal worth between $16 and $18 million per season.

‘GMFB’: Cowboys’ contingency plan if Dak Prescott holds out :: NFL.com

The Good Morning Football crew do a round-table discussion on what Plan B might look like if Dak Prescott gets into a training camp staredown with the owner.

Why drafting Jalen Hurts would make sense for the Cowboys :: ESPN

The Get Up cast think drafting Heisman Trophy runner-up Jalen Hurts could be an interesting backup strategy for Dallas.

[vertical-gallery id=640098]

Cowboys may need to cross Michael Bennett off return-pending list :: Cowboys Wire

A veteran player returning to the team he had the most success with for one final tour of duty is nothing new.

Cowboys positional review: Is this the year TE Blake Jarwin sees a larger role? :: The Athletic

Jason Witten’s 2019 stat line looked awfully close to the one he posted the last year he played while Blake Jarwin’s 2019 numbers, were nearly identical to the ones he compiled the year Witten was gone.

Why the Cowboys want ‘real deal’ Quinn back :: The Mothership

Sacks don’t tell the whole story for defensive ends (see: DeMarcus Lawrence), but the Cowboys would be hard-pressed to easily replace the 11.5 of them that Robert Quinn produced in 2019. To hear both Quinn and Jerry Jones tell it, neither wants the team to have to try.

Dallas Cowboys: 3 lower-cost options to replace Robert Quinn at DE :: Sport DFW

On the other hand, if Quinn’s resurgence last season pushed his price tag beyond what the Joneses are willing to pay, there are more budget-conscious choices on the market.

Cowboys WR Ventell Bryant arrested on DUI charge in Florida :: Cowboys Wire

After admitting to “several margaritas” during a traffic stop in Tampa for operating without headlights, the 2019 undrafted free agent was charged by police with driving under the influence.

Could demand actually be lower than expected for Amari Cooper? :: Blogging the Boys

“What if Amari isn’t as valued around the league as we all thought?”

Dallas Cowboys’ Jaylon Smith: Invest in minority businesses to close income gap :: USA Today

The Pro Bowl linebacker tackles a different opponent in a column he’s written for USA Today, exploring the serious income disparity problem that many kids growing up in neighborhoods like Smith’s hometown face.

Different perspectives: Two complete 7-round Cowboys mock drafts :: The Athletic

More mocks! Jon Machota and Saad Yousuf each take a stab at filling out the Cowboys roster with seven rounds’ worth of college talent. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and cornerback Damon Arnette appear on both mocks, but it’s not all defense.

[vertical-gallery id=640915][lawrence-newsletter]

Cowboys News: Recent Prescott offer above Goff deal in some way

Cowboys new and notes for March 10, 2020

All eyes are on the Dallas Cowboys’ negotiations with QB Dak Prescott and WR Amari Cooper. There has been some movement in recent weeks, with the latest Prescott offer having some aspect above where Jared Goff’s deal is. Of course which part, or parts, is the important aspect and still unknown.

The franchise tag deadline was moved, so the team will get a window following the CBA vote to know whether they’ll have one tag or two. Would letting Byron Jones explore that market, a market full of NFC East teams, be a bad idea? Also, see who has already had their option picked up by the Cowboys.

The draft is almost a month away, and the NFL just handed out compensatory picks. Learn more about the Cowboys compensatory pick(s), as well as a potential late-round wide receiver prospect Dallas could consider.

The Cowboys are playing the Steelers in the Hall of Fame game, and that might be the best thing possible for Mike McCarthy and the coaching staff.

The latest Prescott offer has him, in some way, being “above” Rams’ QB Jared Goff’s four-year extension worth $134 million with $57 million fully guaranteed, $110 million virtually guaranteed.

NFL extends tag deadline until after CBA vote, countdown begins :: Cowboys Wire

Teams will have 48 hours after the CBA decision to know how to apply either the one tag, or two, based on the vote.

2020 NFL free agency: Delayed CBA deadline helps Cowboys in contract talks with Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper :: CBS Sports 

With the original CBA deadline now extended by two days, Patrik Walker breaks down how it helps in the Cowboys efforts to get Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper signed long-term.

Stay or go: Which Cowboys unrestricted free agents should be re-signed before free agency? :: Dallas Morning News 

With 25 unrestricted free agents on the roster, John Owning breaks down the decisions to make.

Should Cowboys rethink their position on cornerback Byron Jones? :: ESPN

With Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper deep in contract negotiations, Byron Jones has been looked at as the odd man out as far as importance when it comes to the Cowboys top free agents.

Could Washington State WR Dezmon Patmon be a Day 3 Steal for the Cowboys :: Inside The Star

With defense being the focal point in the draft, the later rounds may be where the Cowboys add some offensive talent to the roster.

Cowboys pick up option on special teamer Jamize Olawale :: CowboysWire

The Cowboys have retained a free agent, but his contributions are mostly in the third phase rather than on offense.

What’s Up: Where Does Jaylon Go From Here? :: The Mothership

At one point in his career doctors believed Jaylon Smith may never play football again. Now, just three seasons later he is a Pro Bowler.

[vertical-gallery id=640915][lawrence-newsletter]

Jets should be wary of investing in this free agent cornerback class

Jets Wire breaks down why handing out big money to the top free agent cornerbacks this offseason might not be such a good idea.

Joe Douglas has to do something to address the Jets’ gaping holes at cornerback.

New York’s first-year general manager is tasked with completely overhauling the position this offseason. He got a head start on things by telling free agent bust Trumaine Johnson he will be released. Now, it’s time for Douglas and his team to zone in on which corners they want to target in free agency.

Douglas will have plenty of cornerbacks to pick from, which is a good thing. There is plenty of variety on this year’s market and plenty of pieces that can be plugged into Gregg Williams’ defense rather seamlessly.

One problem, though: this year’s cornerback class is good, not great. Byron Jones and James Bradberry are nice players, but they are not the typical superstar corners that make it to free agency. This leaves the Jets and Douglas in a precarious position, as they will have to decide who exactly is worth spending on.

If Douglas wants to land one of this year’s top free agent cornerbacks, that means paying big-time money to slightly above average players. That might seem like a harsh take on Jones and Bradberry, but there is a reason the Cowboys and Panthers did not show much inclination to re-sign them. Their production simply does not warrant the money they are in line to receive.

A potential bidding war for Jones could take his average annual salary north of $16 million. That is a lot of money for a cornerback who has not intercepted a single pass since transitioning to the position two years ago.

Bradberry, meanwhile, is seeking a deal worth more than $15 million per year. Is a corner that allowed completions on 59 percent of passes thrown his way last season really worth that much money?

Breaking the bank to land “top” free agent corners is a dangerous practice — one that ultimately cost Mike Maccagnan. In the former general manager’s defense, at least he was spending lucrative amounts of money to land Darrelle Revis and Trumaine Johnson, two players who came to New York with the reputation of being among the best in the game when they signed.

If Douglas gives in, throws money at either Jones or Bradberry, and they wind up being busts, what’s his excuse? Neither is worth what they will sign for once free agency kicks off. The market will dictate they are, but film and past production say otherwise.

Douglas seems like he is wise enough to avoid the mistake of overpaying a player who is not worth the money. Then again, it’s his first free agency on the job. Who knows how he is going to approach things with over $50 million to spend. The need to make a move for the sake of making a move could also be enough for Douglas to abandon his traditional way of thinking.

Either way, the Jets should be wary of spending big bucks on this year’s “top” free agent cornerbacks. If there is ever a free agent cornerback class to invest big money in, it’s not this one.

Is Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones a good fit for Seahawks?

Cowboys cornerback, Byron Jones, if he manages to slip through the cracks of free agency, could be a good fit for the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks are a few years removed from the dismantling of the infamous Legion of Boom and are slowly trying to put the pieces back together. Seattle could very well look to free agency ahead of April’s NFL draft to find a playmaker or two.

In a special to ESPN, Ben Linsey of PFF took a look at the perfect free-agent matches for each NFL team. He thinks Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones would be a good fit in Seattle.

“Jones is part of the ‘big three’ free agents people are keeping their eye on in Dallas, but if he slips through the cracks, he would be the top cornerback on the market,” Linsey writes. “He is coming off consecutive seasons with overall grades of 75.0 or higher with the Cowboys, and Dallas fields a defense that, like Seattle’s, uses a lot of Cover 3. Shaquill Griffin had a career year in 2019 in which he earned an overall grade of 78.0, but the Seahawks’ other starting cornerback, Tre Flowers, did not fare nearly as well and earned a coverage grade of 47.7.

“Jones would help in their effort to rebuild the secondary after the losses they’ve seen there in recent seasons.”

The Seahawks will undoubtedly look to strengthen their defense in 2020 but could very well decide to spend their extra cash on their own free agents instead.

[lawrence-related id=57188]

Jets should approach Byron Jones with caution

Jets Wire breaks down why New York needs to approach any potential pursuit of Byron Jones with extreme caution.

The Jets are no strangers to paying free agent cornerbacks the big bucks.

Look no further than the $142.5 million New York has spent luring supposedly elite corners to the Big Apple in the last five years. The first $70 million of that went to Darrelle Revis in 2015. The other $72.5 million went to Trumaine Johnson three years later. New York only paid out a combined $73 million in guaranteed money ($39 million to Revis, $34 million to Johnson), but the point still stands.

Both of those contracts were handed out by Mike Maccagnan. Their failures played a major role in his firing last June. If Joe Douglas can learn anything from his predecessor, it’s that throwing money at a hole doesn’t automatically fill it.

That doesn’t mean New York’s first-year general manager will definitely stray away from using his salary cap space to entice one of the market’s top corners, though.

This offseason, the Jets need a lockdown cornerback to come in and right the ship more now than ever. Not only was Johnson awful in 2019, so were the rest of the players on the depth chart with the exception of one. It took only one season for Darryl Roberts to prove Maccagnan made yet another massive mistake giving him a three-year contract. The rest of New York’s corners were either inexperienced or inconsistent. Only Brian Poole was solid, but he’s heading for free agency and his return to One Jets Drive is up in the air.

Enter Byron Jones — the corner who could make last year’s struggles at the position a distant memory. Jones is only 27. He’s a freak athlete with range and coverage ability who is entering his prime. In theory, he’s the perfect candidate to come to the Jets and blossom into one of the best defensive backs in football.

Jones might seem like a sexy signing on the surface, but his career with the Cowboys suggests otherwise. Since converting from safety to cornerback in 2018, Jones has not intercepted a single pass. He deflected 20 passes in two years at the position, but failed to come away with any picks.

It’s not like Jones’ lack of production in the interceptions department is a product of opposing quarterbacks not throwing his way. Quarterbacks haven’t had much of an issue going at Jones. That’s going to continue until he proves he can ballhawk. At least Revis and Johnson came to New York with a reputation for picking passes off.

There’s also a serious schematic difference at play between Jones and the Jets. Jones comes from a Cover 3 system in Dallas. New York defensive coordinator Gregg Williams employs a man-heavy scheme. He turned to zone defenses at times last season, but that was to cover up weaknesses in the secondary. If he has the personnel he needs, Williams is going to run man-to-man coverage more often than not.

Jones would be a major upgrade over what the Jets currently have at corner. There’s no denying that. The question is this: Is a zone cornerback who lacks the ball skills to intercept passes worth entering a bidding war that could take his average annual salary north of $16 million per year?

There’s no telling what Douglas will do since it’s his first offseason at the helm, but his approach to his job with the Ravens, Bears and Eagles, and what he has let on in his brief time with the Jets, indicates he’s not exactly keen on resetting the market for a player who doesn’t fit his team like a glove.

The Jets need a cornerback. Fortunately for Douglas, there are plenty of good ones available this offseason. He just can’t afford to shell out a lucrative contract to the wrong one. With this in mind, Douglas should approach any potential dealings with Jones with extreme caution.

If he doesn’t, he could s the same fate as the man he replaced in a couple of years.

Should the Eagles engage in a bidding war for CB Byron Jones?

Eagles and Giants could engage in a bidding war for Byron Jones

The Philadelphia Eagles covet Byron Jones and appear prepared to break the bank for his services but a question has to be asked, how much is too much?

The Eagles have been in on Jones from the start of conversations about free agency but it appears the New York Giants would like to make a big splash and secure his services as well.

Pro Football Network is reporting that the Eagles are the favorites to land Jones, but they’ll have to outbid the Giants for his services.

Throughout the week of the NFL Combine, everything I heard pointed to the Philadelphia Eagles being the favorite for CB Byron Jones. Then late in the weekend, someone told me to “expect the Eagles and New York Giants to get into a bidding war for Jones.” As I reported last week – Jones is going to make a lot of money and he’ll be able to pick the team he wants to play for.

Last season according to Pro Football Focus, Jones had an overall grade of 76.1 (14th among cornerbacks) a 74.8 grade in coverage and a 94.1 passer rating against.

In 2019, on 53 targets, Jones allowed 30 catches for a 56.6 completion percentage allowed. What you won’t see here is Jones giving up deep balls or 70-yard slants for a touchdown.

The Eagles will have options with Jones, James Bradberry, Chris Harris and Logan Ryan all available, but it’s the Cowboys star that Philadelphia brass clearly wants.

But at what price?

Jones reportedly will demand upwards of $16 million per season as he looks to reset the market. Will the Eagles, Giants, and another suitor be willing to pay that price for a player who’s a shutdown style corner, but doesn’t turn the ball over?

We are a week away from finding out.

NFL Free Agency 2020: Buy or sell on potential Eagles FA targets

Buy or Sell on potential Eagles free agent targets

[jwplayer PO4jv6y1]

As the new NFL league year quickly approaches, it is clear that the Eagles mission statement for the next two offseasons is to get younger and without mortgaging the future.

While the NFL Draft is filled with top-flight wide receivers, the Eagles will likely utilize free agency to help funnel cornerbacks, defensive linemen and value wideouts onto the roster.

The Eagles could also address the linebacker position in free agency as well after parting ways with Kamu Grugier-Hill and Nigel Bradham.

With the so many big names in play for Howie Roseman and company, it’s beyond important that the Eagles land the right talent at a reasonable price.

Here are five buy or sell options for potential Eagles free agent targets set to hit the open market:

***

Buy

1. Logan Ryan — CB

The former third-round pick had a career year for the Titans in 2019 and will turn 29 next month. The move would make perfect sense. Ryan grew up right outside of Philadelphia, would flourish in Jim Schwartz’s scheme and could be less expensive than Byron Jones.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10

News: Crazy mock has Cowboys trading Prescott for draft picks

Speculation season runs wild as Philadelphia prepares to break the bank for Byron Jones and Dez Bryant name-drops as he lobbies to return.

In this dry period between the Scouting Combine and the start of free agency, it’s speculation season. It’s the time of mock drafts and hypothetical contracts, of outside-the-box trade scenarios and what-if hot takes. But for fans who don’t believe in an offseason, it’s the stuff that keeps the engines turning. And, truth be told, anticipating what might happen is a lot more fun than just waiting for something to actually happen.

Thursday in Cowboys Nation saw a mock draft that apparently took the Unthinkable Express straight out of Crazytown, a division rival possibly breaking the bank for a Dallas Pro Bowler, an agent talking through Dak Prescott’s potential short-term strategy, and Dez Bryant name-dropping as he lobbies for a storybook return to The Star. All that, plus an encouraging notion for Cowboys defensive linemen and a look at what’s next for the forgotten young talent buried in the Dallas linebacker corps.

Philadelphia Eagles reportedly preparing to ‘take a home run swing’ at Dallas Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones :: PennLive

Philadelphia appears to be serious about landing the Cowboys’ shutdown corner; media outlets in Pennsylvania are tossing around figures that would make Byron Jones an Eagle and the highest-paid cornerback in the league with a record-breaking deal when the legal tampering period begins on March 16.

What CBA player-vote window means to 2020 Cowboys :: CowboysWire

The football world continues to track the biggest news of the offseason as the Collective Bargaining Agreement has been sent to the players to vote on. The vote and its timing greatly impacts Dallas’s free agency plans. Cowboys Wire’s own K.D. Drummond takes a deeper look at the latest CBA news through a decidedly sliver and blue lens.

Agent’s Take: Can Dak Prescott get the short-term contract he seeks from the Cowboys? :: CBS Sports

The Jones family loves to lock down their superstars in long-term mega-deals, but recent quarterback history and the current CBA numbers suggest that Dak Prescott would rather buck the trend and sign a three-year contract instead. A former sports agent breaks down the dollars to make some sense of the negotiations in Dallas.

Will the Cowboys Open the NFL’s New Stadiums? :: The Mothership

The Rams and Raiders are set to open their new home stadiums this season in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, respectively, and Jerry Jones says the Cowboys would love to help them open their doors.

2020 Mock Draft Roundup: Cowboys commonly attached to Florida CB Henderson :: CowboysWire

With Byron Jones likely out of Dallas, cornerback is a big need in Big D. Tony Thompson breaks down why many experts think the Cowboys could go after this cornerback from the SEC.

Dez Bryant says he would be ‘perfect’ for the Cowboys, name-checks the stars on Dallas offense :: Blogging the Boys

Dez Bryant has been extremely vocal regarding his potential return to Dallas next season. His latest statements indicate how he thinks he could fit in with the rest of the Cowboys’ talented offensive weapons.

Every NFL team’s weakest link heading into free agency :: Bleacher Report

2020’s version of the Great Wall of Dallas could use some patching, according to this list, which calls out the left guard position as the team’s weakest link. With Connor Williams developing too slowly for some and Xavier Su’a-Filo about to hit free agency, maybe those Ronald Leary whispers sound just a little sweeter.

[lawrence-related id=640865]

What’s Up: Gifford likely to have expanded role :: The Mothership

The promising start to linebacker Luke Gifford’s rookie season took a serious hit in the first half of 2019’s first preseason game. Now fully recovered and in a positional group that’s full of question marks, the former Nebraska Cornhusker could get extra looks at some new opportunities.

Gil’s first No. 1 pick? Hall of Famer and “Mr. Cowboy” Bob Lilly. That’s awfully good company for The Playmaker to be in.

Redskins grant LT Williams permission to seek trade; Eagles letting LT Jason Peters test free-agent market :: NFL.com

In separate news items sure to delight the Dallas defensive line and coaching staff, a pair of division rivals could each see their elite-caliber left tackle suddenly leave the NFC East.

2020 NFL Mock Draft: Cowbys tag and trade Dak Prescott to Dolphins in outside-the-box first round :: CBS Sports

In the wildest mock draft making the rounds, Will Brinson has concocted a scenario whereby the Cowboys trade a non-exclusive-franchise-tagged Dak Prescott to Miami for their two 2020 first-round picks. Letting Prescott go may seem certifiably crazy, but what if it meant reloading the roster with Tua Tagovailoa, Grant Delpit, and CeeDee Lamb?

[vertical-gallery id=639104][lawrence-newsletter]

Free agent power rankings 2.0: The Post-Trent Williams Edition

The Redskins now have a hole to fill on the offensive line with Trent Williams leaving, so the free agency power ranking has been shaken up.

News broke on Thursday afternoon that shook up the Washington Redskins’ free agency blueprint. It’s not that they weren’t expecting Trent Williams to move on, but now it’s a sure thing that they will have to try to replace him for the 2020 season. While finding a starting-caliber left tackle can be done in the NFL draft, it is much more likely to be done in free agency — especially considering that the Redskins are likely to be without a second-round pick, unless one is received in the trade for Williams.

We are now less than 2 weeks away from free agency officially beginning, and a lot has changed since we last stepped back and took a look at the hierarchy in which the Redskins free agent targets stand. Some have signed, and some have been franchise tagged. Some have been simply removed from the board, now that a bigger need presents itself. So let’s get into it; here’s our updated ranking of free agents that the Redskins should look to snag this offseason.

No. 10 — WR Amari Cooper

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a catch while being guarded by Jimmy Moreland #32 of the Washington Redskins in the second quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

As far as free agent wide receivers go, you couldn’t do much better than Amari Cooper, who is likely to cash a nice check this free agency period. After being traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2018, Cooper has quickly returned to his early-career form and became a great No. 1 option for Dak Prescott. Now, with his future in Dallas up in the air while Jerry Jones and Co. look to figure out what to do with Prescott, it would be a perfect time for Washington to try and nab Cooper.

While he is the top WR on the market, he is also low in our rankings simple because of the money he would require in order to be brought in. Wide receiver isn’t one of the absolute biggest needs on the roster, though a solid veteran would be a great addition. I would be surprised if the Redskins ponied up and paid Cooper.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10

Amari Cooper: ‘I want to be a Dallas Cowboy for life’

The wideout spoke about his relationship with Dak Prescott, raved about teammate Michael Gallup, and says he would welcome Dez Bryant.

Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper’s name has been in the news plenty this offseason, as his expiring contract has left the front office with one of the biggest free agency decisions to make of any club in the league. But Cooper himself has been missing in action since catching a touchdown in the 2020 Pro Bowl back in late January.

The soft-spoken wideout emerged from exile (and a recent vacation to Bali) Thursday with a late-night call-in to Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan, where he dished on a wide range of topics, including his new head coach, last year’s injuries, fellow receiver Michael Gallup, cornerback Byron Jones, former Dallas star Dez Bryant, his relationship with his quarterback, and most notably, his future with the team.

“I love being a Dallas Cowboy,” Cooper said. “I love everything about it. I was just thinking about that today; I think about it almost every day, really. Primetime games: they play what seems like more night games than anybody, and that always feels good for a football player. Everything, the facility. I love it here in Frisco, where I stay at now. Just the aura of being a Dallas Cowboy. You can’t beat it. I want to be a Dallas Cowboy for life.”

That, of course, is now in the hands of the Jones family, who must decide whether to negotiate a deal with the 25-year-old Cooper, let him test the waters of free agency, or use a tag on him to lock up his services without all the financial back-and-forth.

The fact that the club is in the same position with quarterback Dak Prescott complicates matters somewhat for Cooper. But the former Oakland Raider said he feels that the chemistry he’s developed with Prescott in just a season and a half is something special. And continuing that QB/WR dynamic is a huge part of the reason he wants to stay in Dallas.

“It’s very important,” Cooper stated plainly. “We’ve built a good relationship so far. From the time I got here, we were able to hit the ground running. And just from my experience of being in the NFL, I wouldn’t say that that’s a common thing. Sometimes you can join up with a quarterback after they’re traded or going to a new team, whether it’s the draft or whatever, and [have] it not go so smooth. So I wouldn’t try to trade that for anything, because I know what can be on the other side of that.”

But roster turnover is a part of the business of pro football. Cooper cited a figure he’s often heard that suggests only 40% of a team’s roster stays the same from year to year. The five-year veteran knows many of his teammates won’t be back in Dallas next year.

As for Byron Jones, widely assumed to be a free agent signing elsewhere in 2020, Cooper has played against him every day in practice. And he says whichever team lands him will be getting a top-notch cornerback who’s among the best in the NFL.

“He stacks up well,” Cooper raved. “Byron is your prototypical corner. He’s long, but he’s also fast and quick. Very smart player. He works harder than anybody that I’ve ever gone against. You see him at every intermission in practice, he’s not taking a break. He’s working on his skills, you’ll see him on the side: footwork drills, stuff like that. He really wants to be that player. I think he’s proven it over the last couple of years that he wants to be that player, and he’s grown every year as a player. I think he’s going to continue to grow.”

Another young player expected to take a leap forward in 2020 is fellow wideout Michael Gallup. Gallup and Cooper both topped 1,000 receiving yards for the Cowboys in 2019, and Cooper sees big things still to come for the Colorado State product entering his third season.

“They say the biggest leap that a pro football player makes is between Year One and Year Two, and he was a display of that,” Cooper offered. “He had a decent rookie year for a wide receiver. Then he made a huge leap and had a thousand-plus yards. He showed that he had potential his rookie year, and then in Year Two, he proved that. He was reaching that ceiling, getting closer to it. Now it’s just about picking hairs for him. Now we can see that he’s going to be a great player… I’m excited to play with him for the next couple of years.”

Instead of stealing touches, Gallup’s ascension as a legitimate threat has arguably helped Cooper see more targets during games and vice versa. The more weapons for the defense to worry about, the more chances for everyone. Cowboys fans have been tantalized in recent weeks by the idea of former Dallas superstar Dez Bryant making a comeback to the team and being an additional threat in the passing game.

Cooper admitted that he’s been in contact with the 31-year-old Bryant and had perhaps a surprising opinion on bringing yet another able-bodied pass-catcher into the huddle.

“I think it would be great,” Cooper said. “Dez is a great player. I remember when I was in college, even my first couple years in the league, he was still considered one of the top five receivers in the game. I don’t think that’s something you just lose, especially with the way Dez’s game is. He’s one of those guys that goes up and attacks the ball, goes up and gets the ball, and I think he still has that. That’s not something you just lose. I think he can come back and be a dominant player, really, and if given the opportunity, he’d be able to do so… Of course, I would want to play with him.”

A Cooper-Bryant-Gallup package would be a nightmare for opposing secondaries. But such a trifecta of receivers would also give the Cowboys valuable depth at the position. Cooper fought through several nagging and mysterious injuries last season, and while he didn’t sit out any games, he was clearly not at full strength at times.

Cooper also played through pain in Oakland, but he says 2019 was different.

“I would say, actually, that this was the toughest season as far as battling with injuries,” Cooper confessed, contradicting the party line suggestion that his leg and foot issues last season were nothing extraordinary. “It was a real battle. But, hey, I got through it, and learned from it… I’m good now. I feel good, I run all the time and I’m working out, and I feel good.”

The four-time Pro Bowler says he’ll be 100% for Mike McCarthy, and he hopes the new Cowboys head coach can lead him and the team to new heights.

“I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet,” Cooper said of McCarthy, ” but from what I can see, obviously the outside looking in, he’s an accomplished coach, he’s been to this stage before. It’s always good to have that experience on your side because you can learn from it. Like, I’ve never been to a Super Bowl before, I’ve never won a Super Bowl before. So to be a part of a potential culture that he’s bringing, I think it means the world.”

Over the course of the seventeen-minute conversation, Cooper spoke like the quintessential team player. There was no playing hardball about his money, no playing coy about what he thinks he’s worth, no veiled shots at the front office. Cooper sounded like someone who truly and genuinely wants to be a Cowboy in 2020. If he wanted to hit the open market and start a bidding war for his skills, his interview might have been with a national outlet. But by calling in to a Dallas radio station at 9 p.m. and answering every question like he was still auditioning for the job, it seemed to speak volumes. That he did it just days before the internal financial discussions ratchet up a notch with tag deadlines and free agency decisions can’t be a coincidence to a cerebral player who excels at locker-room chess.

By publicly reminding all of the Metroplex of what he brings to the table, Cooper may have just made a very strategic move. Soon it will be up to Jerry and Stephen Jones to decide if Cooper is simply a pawn that can be replaced with another piece… or if they need to pay him like a king.

[vertical-gallery id=639104][lawrence-newsletter]