Reports came out Friday morning that the Dallas Cowboys will “likely” release star wide receiver Amari Cooper before the start of the new season.
This got many fans speculating where Cooper could end up should he be released by the Cowboys. Here are five potential fits around the NFL for Cooper if the reports are true.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are a team that saw very little production aside from breakout wide receiver Michael Pittman in 2021. They also represent a winning team that struggled to pass the ball well. While the quarterback position is certainly in question with rumors they may move on from Carson Wentz, they were just one meltdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars away from being a playoff team. Indy could provide Cooper with a chance to be a number one receiver on a playoff-contending team. The Colts also hold the 8th-most projected cap room for 2022, so they would certainly be able to pay Cooper if interested.
Chicago Bears
The Bears jump out as an option for Cooper due to the lack of options they currently have around quarterback Justin Fields. Darnell Mooney is a solid number two receiver for the Bears, but aside from him, their receiving core is thin. The team will almost certainly be moving on from Allen Robinson in the offseason, creating a clear hole for a player like Cooper to be the top option for Fields. The team also sits at 11th in the projected salary cap room in 2022, so they can pay Cooper market value if they are interested.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars currently sit at the third-highest projected salary cap room in 2022, and have a clear need for a number one option at receiver for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Their number one receiver to start 2021 was D.J Chark, who has been inconsistent and often injured. Marvin Jones has one more year with the Jags, but he is only getting older and they could really help Lawrence’s development by bringing in a true number one receiver like Cooper.
New England Patriots
The Patriots offer Cooper very similar things to the Colts. A winning organization with a clear need for a true number one receiver. The Patriots, unlike the Colts, know who their quarterback will be in second-year starter Mac Jones. While players like Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor have been fine for them, the Pats could really be taken to the next level with a player like Cooper.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns could be a fit for Cooper if they want to get one final look at what Baker Mayfield can be with elite receiving talent around him. Since the team released star receiver Odell Beckham Jr, they have had a clear hole at the position other than Jarvis Landry. They could decide to keep Donavan Peoples-Jones as their second receiving option or go through the NFL Draft to bring someone in. But if they really want to give Baker a solid chance as their quarterback, bringing in Cooper could be a huge benefit for everyone next season.
