The Cleveland Browns need at wide receiver is so great that they will likely look to address it with veteran and rookie additions to their roster. While the NFL combine has provided us with the size and measurables for the incoming rookies at the position, the veteran options are very much in the air.
In our Mock Offseason 1.0, we discussed trading for Calvin Ridley from the Atlanta Falcons. Ridley seems to be on the market with the Falcons struggling with salary-cap space but a trade would have to be worked out between the two teams.
The free-agent market for receivers has a bunch of big-name players but most are expected to be given the franchise tag or stick with their current teams. The history of free-agent receivers getting paid big money to change teams is not good recently either.
A new name is about to hit the market as the Dallas Cowboys are expected to release Amari Cooper:
Cowboys are “likely” to release WR Amari Copper by the start of the new league year, per league sources.
Cooper is due $20 million in fully guaranteed money on the fifth day of the new league year, March 20.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2022
Cooper is just 27 years old (turns 28 in June) but will be entering his eighth season in the league in 2022. His last three and a half seasons in Dallas have produced 292 receptions, almost 4,000 yards receiving and 27 touchdowns.
The Cowboys have invested in the receiver position for years including trading a first-round pick to acquire Cooper but may need to allocate assets elsewhere this offseason.
At 6’1″, Cooper is a smooth route runner with the ability to make plays at all levels of the field. He will have no shortage of suitors if he is released before the start of the league year. Cooper could sign a big contract before traditional free agents even hit the market.
For the Browns, getting out in front of free agency with a Cooper signing could set up the rest of their offseason. They attempted to do so with JJ Watt last year but he chose to sign in Arizona. Adding a top-level threat like Cooper could free up Cleveland to use their top draft pick on another position or ease the transition for a highly drafted player at the position
