Jerry Jones wants Brandin Cooks to fill former role of Amari Cooper in Cowboys offense

Righting the Dallas Cowboys offense for Jerry Jones so far this offseason has meant the addition of a veteran wide receiver that he believes can fill the role Amari Cooper left after his departure a year ago. The Cowboys acquired Brandin Cooks in a trade with the Houston Texans to the tune of $12 million for the 2023 season.

For that price tag, Jones thinks Cooks will open up the Cowboys offense like Cooper did with CeeDee Lamb in 2021.

“I think what you want Cooks to do is what Amari did for the overall passing game,” Jones said on Monday. “Not only in the production, which you counted on with Amari but also the room he opened up for the other receivers and those two things because of the Cooks’ speed and because of just his route running ability he does that for you.”

Although the Cowboys are paying a hefty sum for the six-time 1,000-yard receiver, they saved on cap space by converting $8 million of his $12 million salary into a signing bonus. That leaves Dallas with a cap hit of $6 million this season.

After winning just 11 games in the last three years with the Houston Texans, Cooks can’t wait to get back on the field alongside Dak Prescott. The newest Cowboys wide receiver says he is as hungry as ever for wins.

“I couldn’t be hungrier,” Cooks told reporters after inking his new deal. “When you have those 3 years under your belt, that’s definitely fueling the fire and hunger to help my team win. I can’t wait. I truly can’t.”

NFL analyst breaks down Cooks’ value to the Cowboys

On The Mina Kimes Show this week, the ESPN analyst broke down exactly what Cooks’ addition means for the Cowboys offense, and for quarterback Dak Prescott.

“I love the fit of the player with this team,” Kimes said. “I argued a lot last year that this Dallas Cowboys offense did not have enough separation. This was, to me, part of a big reason why Dak Prescott threw so many interceptions… highest tight-window throw rate in the NFL… Brandin Cooks isn’t what he was four years ago but he had as many 30-yard catches last year in 13 games as the entire Cowboys roster.”

“What he brings to this offense is speed, separation,” Kimes continued. “CeeDee (Lamb) gets to play in the slot full time… it creates space for him. (Michael) Gallup slides back into that No. 3 role where he thrived with Amari Cooper… everything is in its right place.”

Cooks finished the 2022 season with 699 receiving yards in 13 games played. He averaged 12.3 ypc and added three touchdowns. He comes into the offense during a transition period with Mike McCarthy taking over playcalling for the first time in Dallas.