Dallas Cowboys: Trade for Stefon Diggs and let Amari Cooper go

Reports are the Minnesota Vikings plan to trade Stefon Diggs and for a budget conscious team like the Dallas Cowboys, he may be the preferable option over Amari Cooper.

The Dak Prescott contract situation is dominating headlines but the Dallas Cowboys have another important player seeking market-setting money this offseason. Amari Cooper is one of the best receivers in the game, and as such, is expecting to be paid top-3 money this offseason.

Sportac estimates that figure to be 5yrs/$98,589,580 at nearly $20 million per season. Perhaps if the Dallas Cowboys think that’s too high, they can set their sights on a cheaper option, like Stefon Diggs. Reports surfaced the Vikings are looking to move on from Diggs this year. The Pro Bowl receiver has become discontent with the run-heavy offense and given Minnesota’s salary cap troubles, he’s on the market.

Diggs has been a big play machine for the Vikings since the day he was drafted. Cooper’s 10 yards per target were elite by all measures last season, but Diggs’ 12.0 per target is almost unpresented for guy with 94 targets.

The two players are different in their style of play, but they’re comparable in talent. Dallas Morning News’ John Owning recently ranked Diggs No. 8 in the NFL (one spot behind Cooper). He pointed out Diggs’ 2.69 yards per route (second in the NFL) and eight 40-yard+ receptions (best in NFL).

Why Diggs over Coop?

So why would the Dallas Cowboys want to trade their top pick for another WR when they could just re-sign the guy they already have? Savings. As mentioned above, Cooper is expected to get $20 million per season on his next deal. Diggs is already under contract at a sum that’s much less.

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Sportec reports Diggs is locked in for the next four seasons at a cap hit of $14.5M, $15M, $15M, and $12M, respectively. That’s a steal compared to the going rate today. It also tells us how crazy expensive contracts have a way of looking crazy cheap as time goes on. So even if Dallas gives Coop $20 million per season on his next deal (and Dak $38M), it will look like a bargain 2-3 years from now.

Would I rather have Diggs than Cooper? No, but for the money it sure looks tempting. The obvious drawback to this all is the cost to acquire. Trading another first round pick for a WR seems crazy, even if it’s a fallacy to take sunk costs into consideration.

Just more fun things to consider as we head into what’s sure to be a very exciting/frustrating offseason for the Dallas Cowboys

• Published on 02/12/2020 at 13:00 PM
• Last updated at 02/13/2020 at 12:03 PM