Amari Cooper Trade: Cowboys Acquire Pro Bowl Wide Receiver from Browns

What Happened

The Cleveland Browns have traded wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2022 fifth-round pick and a 2023 sixth-round pick.

Cooper, a four-time Pro Bowler, has been one of the most productive receivers in the NFL since entering the league in 2015. In 2021, he caught 78 passes for 1,165 yards and eight touchdowns.

The trade reunites Cooper with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who he played with from 2016-2018.

Why it Matters

The Cooper trade is a significant move for both the Cowboys and Browns.

For the Cowboys, Cooper fills a major need at wide receiver. He is a proven playmaker who can help Prescott spread the ball around and take some of the pressure off CeeDee Lamb.

For the Browns, the trade gives them some much-needed salary cap relief. They were projected to be over the cap by $23 million before the trade, and Cooper's $20 million salary will help them get under the cap.

What's Next

Cooper is expected to join the Cowboys for their offseason program, which begins on April 18.

The Browns, meanwhile, are now left with a void at wide receiver. They could look to fill that void through free agency or the draft.