FRISCO, Texas – WR Amari Cooper may have signed with the Cowboys mid-season, but no one could tell based on the fluid route runner’s performance on the gridiron each week. Since Cooper joined the team, Dallas has won three out of four games and the team’s ability to stay ahead of the chains and convert on first down has improved. He was awarded the NFC’s offensive player of the week.
Against the Redskins, Cooper caught eight passes for 180 yards, and had two receiving touchdowns. His 180 yards is the most receiving yards by any Cowboy player on Thanksgiving in team history. In weeks 9-12, Cooper has ranked fifth in the NFL with a first down conversion rate of 86.4%. In his four games wearing a Star, he has accumulated the third-most receiving first downs (19), sixth-most receiving yards (349), tied at sixth-most receiving touchdowns (three), and is tied for the seventh-best receiving average (15.9) among pro receivers.
He has had an immediate impact on the Cowboys’ offense with his ability to create separation from corners on man-to-man and become an open target for Dak Prescott. On his 90-yard TD run after the catch, he was able to get out of triple coverage by the Redskins’ secondary. He is a ‘Dak-friendly’ receiver that has opened up the team’s passing game. Prescott has looked more comfortable in weeks 9-12 with Cooper on the field. He was worth giving up a first round pick for. Cooper was the top wide receiver prospect of the 2015 NFL Draft and was selected in the first round as the fifth overall pick by the Raiders. The Cowboys’ got a first rounder caliber player that is only 24 years old, with a draft this year that does not have an elite receiver class.
Against the Saints on Thursday, the Cowboys will need this wideout receiver’s skillset as they face one of the best teams in the NFC.
