Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper is being eyed as a potential trade target by the Dallas Cowboys.
The Browns, currently sitting at 1-4 and facing tough upcoming matchups, may become sellers ahead of the NFL’s November 5 trade deadline.
In a prediction by Josh Edwards of CBS Sports on October 10, Cooper is expected to be traded back to the Cowboys in exchange for draft picks.
“Though the Browns’ season hasn’t gone as hoped, acquiring Cooper could give Dallas the boost they need,” wrote Edwards. “Financially, Cooper is affordable, and he already has a rapport with Dak Prescott.”
Browns Set for Amari Cooper Trade After Contract Restructure
Cleveland restructured the last year of Cooper’s $100 million contract in 2024 to make him more tradable and free up cap space.
The Browns converted $18.88 million of Cooper’s salary into a signing bonus, creating over $15 million in cap space and reducing his base salary to the $1.21 million minimum.
As a result, any team trading for Cooper would only need to pay $67,222 per game for the remaining weeks of the season. For example, if the Cowboys traded for him after Week 8, they would face just a $672,222 cap hit for the rest of the season.
Cleveland’s decision to restructure Cooper’s deal shows they needed cap space, largely due to Deshaun Watson’s $230 million guaranteed contract. It also signals the Browns may part ways with Cooper in 2025, indicating they don’t plan to extend him.
The restructure has also increased Cooper’s trade value, making him attractive to teams across the league, as he offers talent at a lower cost.
**Amari Cooper’s Potential to Boost Trade Value Before Deadline**
Cleveland initially acquired Cooper in March 2022 for a fifth-round pick and a sixth-round pick swap. Since then, he has totaled 170 receptions for 2,618 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading the Browns in receiving in 2022 and 2023, and earning a Pro Bowl nod last season.
However, Cooper is off to a slower start in 2024, with only 20 catches for 208 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 5 drops. Despite these numbers, at 30 years old, he remains a valuable player even with Cleveland’s quarterback struggles.
The Browns will likely wait a couple of weeks before deciding on Cooper, aiming to salvage their season. If they can’t, they’ll probably seek a late Day 2 or early Day 3 draft pick in exchange for their star wideout.
Cooper has a chance to increase his trade value with strong performances against the Eagles, Bengals, Ravens, and Chargers before the trade deadline.
