3 reasons why Amari Cooper trade to Dallas Cowboys is fantasy gold

NASHVILLE, TN- SEPTEMBER 10: Wide receiver Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders makes a catch against the Tennessee Titans in the second half at Nissan Stadium on September 10, 2017 In Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) ) /

Amari Cooper has been performing at a confusingly low-level this season, which has been painful for fantasy owners. But there is much reason for optimism after he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, as reported on Monday, October 22nd.

Amari Cooper has been performing way under his potential this season. His play has left fantasy owners no choice but to either stash him on the bench or drop him to the waiver wire. But he is now in a great spot to bounce back to relevance in Dallas with the Cowboys. Here are three reasons why you should pick him up now.

1. There has been something fishy in the air in Oakland this season with Jon Gruden at the helm

Here are some factors to consider that may have affected Amari Cooper in Oakland. Cooper and Gruden’s offense did not work well together. And though many would say that Cooper has just been flat-out bad this year — when you look at the Raiders as a whole right now — almost no one is doing well under Gruden, as evidenced by their 1-5 record.

It’s also fair to argue that Gruden has made some very odd roster moves in his short time in Oakland, perhaps the most notable being that he got rid of Michael Crabtree and replaced him with the aging Jordy Nelson. Then there’s the fact that he let Khalil Mack walk.

So his odd management has likely contributed to their downward spiral. But even with those factors, this team, on paper, still looks better than the 1-5 squad they are right now. They still have good players on offense with a competent quarterback in Derek Carr, and their defense, though weaker without Mack, is at least decent.

So I have to wonder, does Gruden really have the locker room? More specifically, does his team want to play for him? This is where I think their main issues lie. It’s not really “his” team with “his” players as it stands, hence the rebuild and all the issues that come with it.

The bottom line is, this is an awkward psychological position for players and coaches to be in. Players are fighting for their jobs and playing in fear of losing them, while coaches are trying to be semi-supportive, saying the right things to the media knowing in the back of their minds that many of their current players will be cut, traded, or replaced in the offseason.

That is not exactly the best environment for team-building. For the machine of an NFL team (or any team for that matter) to run smoothly, there has to be cohesiveness and an environment that fosters growth and a common goal. Everyone has to be on board. But in Oakland, with a rebuild happening/looming, things are anything but that.

Gruden came in all-powerful with the ability to make any roster move he wanted — yet he has likely not earned the respect of the team yet… (awkward). This possible lack of player/front desk cohesion may be one of the reasons behind the Raiders’ woes over the past several weeks and Cooper’s with them.

In all fairness, at the end of the day, Gruden will likely be able to put together a dominant team with the host of first-round draft picks he’s acquired via trades. But this season, things look bleak for them.

2. Amari Cooper still has immense talent

Let’s consider his age. Cooper is only 24 years old right now; he’s in his absolute prime, so it’s just too soon to give up on him. He is also only a few years removed from consecutive 1,000 + yard seasons.

So he still has many years left in the tank as far as athletic dominance is concerned. He was also the 4th overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft after having been a finalist for the Heisman trophy as a Junior in college, per NFL.com.

What I’m trying to say is that this was all so recent! He is not on his deathbed right now — he’s just getting started.

It also has to mean something that Dallas gave up a 1st round pick for him. Was that a desperate move? Twitter would say yes. But it has to mean something. Dallas sees some worth in him, and I would agree with their assessment, which brings us to the next point.

3. Dallas needs Amari Cooper to show up, and they trust that he will

If that first-round pick for Cooper means nothing else, it means Dallas has big plans for him, which means big-time usage, which means fantasy gold. This is their move to replace Dez Bryant, so don’t be surprised when they start pushing the ball downfield to him like crazy.

If Amari Cooper is on the waiver wire, go get him

Amari Cooper is a must-add on the waiver wire this week. This is a bold prediction, but he will likely be seeing fantasy WR 1 numbers by the time the fantasy playoffs come around.

Go pick him up and have him at the ready.

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