COWBOYS CUT A DEAL FOR COOPER
The Dallas Cowboys acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders for a first-round draft pick in 2019.
What does it give the Dallas Cowboys
This deal HAD to be made by Dallas, whose offensive woes in 2018 have been obvious to the naked eye. In Cooper, the Cowboys land a quality wideout with supreme talent but also a chronic lack of consistency. He will help Dallas QB Dak Prescott, who has struggled with his passing this season, and also provide another playmaker after stellar running back Ezekiel Elliott.
What does it give the Las Vegas Raiders
In what has turned into a disastrous 2018 campaign for the Raiders, the club is clearly playing for next year (or possibly 2020, when they move to Las Vegas, Nevada). To that end, moving out Cooper for another first rounder in 2019 cements the rebuilding process. While Cooper was not great the last two years in Oakland, he is still a big loss for an offense that now looks ugly.
Fantasy impact
Cooper should be much better in Dallas for the rest of 2018 (and beyond) than what his '18 totals suggest (22 receptions, 280 yards, 1 touchdown). Look for Martavis Bryant to see more receiving opportunities with Cooper now in Dallas, while veteran Jordy Nelson should also become a bigger factor in the Raiders' passing game. As for Dallas, pedestrian receivers such as Allen Hurns, Tavon Austin and Deonte Thompson will be hurt by the arrival of Cooper. Cole Beasley and rookie Michael Gallup remain viable fantasy options even with Cooper around.
