Todd ArcherESPN Staff Writer2 minutes of reading
FRISCO, Texas — Looking to add speed and complement Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb, the Dallas Cowboys are shopping Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks for a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth-round pick, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Adam Schefter.
The Cowboys and Texans discussed a deal before last year’s trade deadline, but couldn’t reach an agreement.
Cooks’ $18 million salary in 2023 is guaranteed, though the Texans could absorb some salary, a source told Fowler. He is signed until 2024.
Last year, the Cowboys traded Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round pick, but only added veteran tight end James Washington in free agency and third-rounder Jalen Tolbert in exchange. Washington suffered a broken foot in training camp and played just two games, without a catch, before being released. Tolbert caught just two passes as a rookie.
With Michael Gallup back from a torn ACL in his left knee, executive vice president Stephen Jones said it’s “probably fair” to criticize the Cowboys for not doing enough to replace Cooper.
In Cooks, the Cowboys get a speed threat to pair with Lamb and Gallup, who the organization believes will be much better in year two after major surgery.
Cooks, who turns 30 in September, caught 57 passes for 699 yards and three scores in 13 games for the Texans last season. In his career with the Texans, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints, he had 630 receptions for 8,616 yards and 49 touchdowns.
This is his fourth time in his career.
His $18 million salary in 2023 is guaranteed, though the Texans could absorb some salary, according to Fowler. He is signed until 2024.
This is the second major trade the Cowboys have made in the past week. Dallas also acquired cornerback Stephon Gilmore from the Indianapolis Colts for a fifth-round pick (176th overall).
The Cowboys built their roster through the draft, avoiding big free agent signings. They now have one pick in each round. They had three fifth-round picks after the compensatory selections were released, but have since dealt two.
