NFL writer thinks the combination of Dak Prescott and Brandin Cooks will flourish
The Dallas Cowboys needed to add something very important to their offense this offseason, speed. They found that through a trade for a savvy veteran. Dallas let a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-rounder next year back go in March to acquire wide receiver, Brandin Cooks. With CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup already on […]
The Dallas Cowboys needed to add something very important to their offense this offseason, speed. They found that through a trade for a savvy veteran.
Dallas let a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-rounder next year back go in March to acquire wide receiver, Brandin Cooks. With CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup already on the roster, the Cowboys now have as good of a trio of receivers as any team in the NFL.
Cooks has racked up six 1,000-yard seasons between the previous four teams he's played for during his first nine seasons. However, he hasn't had consistent quarterback play since he shared the field with Tom Brady in 2017 with the New England Patriots, but that will change in 2023.
"Despite playing with lesser QBs during the past two years in Houston, Cooks proved he can still create separation. Now he joins Prescott in Dallas. The clear upgrade portends a bounce-back campaign for the veteran receiver."-Kevin Patra, NFL.com
Cooks missed several games last season with a calf issue and also had wrist and hip injuries that limited him. He finished with 699 yards and three touchdowns in 2022.
Dallas wrapped up the mandatory minicamp last week. It didn't take long for Cooks to make an impression as the former first-round pick blew past defenders with his speed.
Prescott gushed over what his new weapon is showing on the field so far.
“It’s beautiful," Prescott said last week. "Yeah, real speed. …For him to be able to do it every play, every route, the start of every route — the cornerbacks, defense, they don’t know what they’re getting. It all looks the same. I’m thankful he’s here.”
Having Cooks on the roster benefits Lamb and Gallup immensely. His speed will keep defenses honest and won't allow teams to roll coverage toward Lamb and Gallup, which means a ton of single coverage for them.
Besides his speed, Cooks is versatile, having logged over 3,500 snaps on the outside and nearly 1,500 in the slot during his career. Now, the Cowboys can keep Lamb in the slot where he's been dominant since he entered the NFL.
The ability of Cooks to stretch defenses whether it be downfield or going over the middle with his speed opens up the Cowboys' passing game a lot and it should help keep their offense as a whole among the NFL's best in 2023 and give opposing defensive coordinators some uneasy nights.
Feature image via Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
