Cooper, Lance, and more: Re-grading notable recent Cowboys trades
The Dallas Cowboys stole headlines again this week by acquiring receiver George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers in another trade that comes with questions for Jerry Jones and Co.
This isn't the first time the Cowboys have pulled the trigger on a trade with questionable value in return. Let's re-evaluate how Dallas fared in other significant deals in recent years.
Amari Cooper 🛫
The trade: In 2022, Dallas sent the receiver and a sixth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round selection and a sixth-round choice.
The Cowboys acquired Cooper from the Raiders in 2018 before giving him a five-year, $100-million extension in 2020. Cooper made an instant impact, catching 292 passes for 3,893 yards and 27 touchdowns in 56 appearances with Dallas. He posted two 1,000-yard campaigns in three full seasons, yet the team traded him away for essentially just a fifth-round pick before his age-28 season. The five-time Pro Bowler then enjoyed a pair of productive campaigns in Cleveland, reaching career highs with nine touchdowns in 2022 and 1,250 yards in 2023. In another trade involving Cooper last season, the Browns netted a third-round pick from the Buffalo Bills, proving that Dallas should've gotten more for the established pass-catcher who still had a lot left in the tank.
Verdict: F
Stephon Gilmore 🛬
The trade: In 2023, Dallas acquired the cornerback from the Indianapolis Colts for a compensatory fifth-round pick.
The Gilmore deal was the best among notable Cowboys trades in recent years. The club brought on the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year to add depth and experience to its cornerback group, but Gilmore became an even bigger contributor after starting corner Trevon Diggs went down with a season-ending injury early in the year. Though Gilmore may not have replicated one of his previous All-Pro campaigns, he finished 2023 with 13 pass breakups and two interceptions while leading all Cowboys defenders in snaps played. He became a free agent the following offseason and joined the Minnesota Vikings.
Verdict: A
Brandin Cooks 🛬
The trade: In 2023, Dallas acquired the wide receiver from the Houston Texans for a fifth-round pick and a sixth-round selection.
The trade for Cooks made sense at the time, as the Cowboys sought a solid No. 2 wideout opposite CeeDee Lamb after dealing Cooper. Getting Cooks for late-round picks wasn't terrible value either. The bigger problem was that Cooks turned 30 that year and had battled injuries in 2022. More injuries plagued his time with Dallas, limiting him to 26 appearances and 916 yards in two seasons before he left in free agency.
Verdict: C
Trey Lance 🛬
The trade: In 2023, Dallas acquired the quarterback from the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round pick.
Dallas, looking to add QB depth and a backup with upside, made a surprise trade for Lance two years ago. But the fact that the 2021 No. 3 pick showed little production in four starts with San Francisco from 2021-22 didn't prevent the Cowboys from giving up a fourth-round selection for him. It was a huge mistake. Lance was a healthy scratch in every game during his first year in Dallas and barely played in 2024 despite Dak Prescott missing the second half of the campaign due to an injury. Lance started only the regular-season finale and became a free agent this offseason.
Verdict: F
Jonathan Mingo 🛬
The trade: In November 2024, Dallas acquired the receiver and a seventh-round pick from the Carolina Panthers for a fourth-round selection.
The Cowboys made another questionable trade midway through last season in landing Mingo, and they're at serious risk of having wasted another fourth-round pick. The 2023 second-rounder caught 55 passes without any touchdowns in 24 games with the Panthers before coming to Dallas. This is another deal that doesn't look very promising. Granted, it's still early - Mingo has only played eight games for the NFC East club. However, he didn't do much in those appearances, catching five passes for 46 yards. The 24-year-old ranked dead last among 95 eligible receivers in yards per route run after joining the Cowboys last year, according to PFF.
Verdict: D