Report: Raiders trade Amari Cooper to Cowboys

Amari Cooper is reportedly on his way out in Oakland.

According to Josina Anderson of ESPN, the Raiders have agreed to trade wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys.

Breaking: A source tells me that WR Amari Cooper will be traded to the Dallas #Cowboys.

— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 22, 2018

ESPN’s Adam Schefter further reported that the Cowboys were parting with a first-round pick to acquire Cooper.

Cowboys traded a first-round pick to Raiders for WR Amari Cooper, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2018

This deal had been rumored to be on the table. It was no secret that the Raiders were at least willing to listen on the standout wide receiver. Their demand had reportedly been a first-round pick, and in the Cowboys, they found a team willing to pay up.

For Dallas, the incentive is obvious. The team has struggled offensively and quarterback Dak Prescott hasn’t really had an undisputed standout No. 1 receiver. Cooper will immediately fill that role upon his arrival in Dallas. Such was their desperation to get a top-tier target for Prescott that they were willing to part with the first-rounder to get it done. It also means Raiders coach Jon Gruden will have three first-round selections at his disposal next April, having acquired Chicago’s in the Khalil Mack trade.

Cooper has just one touchdown catch this season, but he had seven last season, and a pair of 1,000-yard seasons in 2015 and 2016. Still only 24, the Cowboys will be expecting him to reach those heights once again. To justify the price they paid for him, he’ll have to.