The Dallas Cowboys made a big move on Sunday when they acquired wide receiver Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans for two late-round draught selections. The addition of another explosive weapon for quarterback Dak Prescott increases the Cowboys' prospects of making a lengthy postseason run.
Cooks, 29, has been one of the league's most consistent and productive receivers over the previous seven years. He has six 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, the most recent being last season when he led the Texans with 1,115 yards and six touchdowns on 82 catches. He's also played in a variety of systems and with a variety of quarterbacks, having been transferred four times before joining the Cowboys.
The trade is similar to the one from the previous year, in which the Cleveland Browns received two late-round picks in exchange for sending Amari Cooper to Dallas, but this time the Cowboys are getting a better deal. Cooks' $18 million salary will be covered in part by the Texans this season to the tune of $6 million, leaving the Cowboys with a $12 million tab for a seasoned playmaker.
Cooks will join a talented receiving group that includes Michael Gallup, who is hoping to recover from an injury-marred season, and CeeDee Lamb, who had a breakout season last year with 1,359 yards and nine touchdowns. Prescott will have many options thanks to the trio's ability to open up the field and take advantage of mismatches.
The deal also makes sense for the Texans, who are rebuilding following a 4-13 season in which they traded away star quarterback Deshaun Watson and fired head coach Bill O'Brien. The Texans receive two draught selections to help rebuild their roster, which currently lacks quality and depth at several spots. They also got rid of an unhappy player who had demanded a trade earlier this summer.
The Cowboys have made bold moves in free agency and via trade to demonstrate that they are serious about being a Super Bowl contender this year. By hiring players like linebacker K.J. Wright and safety Keanu Neal, among others, they have bolstered their defence. A lengthy contract extension totaling $160 million over four years has also been signed by Prescott.
The Cowboys have one of the league's most effective offences with Cooks at the helm. They have three explosive receivers in Lamb, Cooks, and Gallup in addition to a franchise quarterback in Prescott and a premier running back in Ezekiel Elliott. When healthy, they also boast one of the top offensive lines in football.
Cooks is expected to help the Cowboys do what they haven't done since 1996: win a Super Bowl trophy. Cooks has had close calls before. He competed in two Super Bowls with New England and Los Angeles, but both teams fell short. Perhaps he and his new crew will have more luck this time.