Fansided

5 players who Cowboys need to be great in 2019

By William Schneiderhan

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 09: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with Blake Jarwin #89 after a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in overtime for a 29-23 win at AT&T Stadium on December 09, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 09: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with Blake Jarwin #89 after a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in overtime for a 29-23 win at AT&T Stadium on December 09, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 05: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball after a reception in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 05: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball after a reception in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

4. Amari Cooper, Wide receiver

Oakland Raiders fans didn’t think they’d witness a roster purge when Jon Gruden was named the team’s new head coach prior to this past season. Instead, they thought they landed a bona fide coach who could finally win them a Super Bowl.

Gruden took those expectations, stomped them out and shipped out Khalil Mack before the season even began. Amari Cooper, the team’s star wide receiver, survived in the bay area until late October.

Cooper was sent to the Cowboys for a first-round pick. He was underwhelming with the Raiders, playing in six games and catching 22 passes for 280 yards and one score.

Some thought Jones overpaid mightily for Cooper, a young player who was coming off a bad 2017 season and showing no signs of life to start 2018. Upon arriving to Dallas, he found his former Pro Bowl-form.

Cooper had six touchdown catches, 53 receptions and 725 yards in nine games for the Cowboys. He appeared to be the missing link in the team’s offense, and it is no coincidence that the Cowboys mid-season winning streak began in Cooper’s second game with his new team.

Prescott played much better with Cooper on board, which is why he is so important. Not only is he a big play, Pro Bowl receiver, he also helps the team’s franchise quarterback immensely.

Surrounding Prescott with play makers is a must, and Cooper is just that.

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