The Browns made a blockbuster trade for Oakland Raiders WR Amari Cooper on Monday, sending the team’s 2018 first-round pick and 2020 third-round pick. A lot of people were surprised by this move because most thought Cleveland was set at quarterback with Tyrod Taylor under contract until 2019.
The Cleveland Browns are in a tough spot. The team traded away their star wide receiver, Amari Cooper, to the Dallas Cowboys. This trade intensifies pressure on head coach Kevin Stefanski.
The Cleveland Browns shocked the NFL world by acquiring Amari Cooper in a trade. They traded a 2022 fifth-round selection and a sixth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for the Pro Bowl wide receiver and a sixth-round pick. Kevin Stefanski’s team finally has a true number one receiver.
Andrew Berry, the general manager, and the front office made a big impression. It’s now up to the team to deliver. After making it to the Divisional Round of the playoffs in 2020, the Browns are coming off an exceedingly dismal 8-9 season.
Cleveland has far too much skill on its roster to fail to deliver. If the squad does not improve during the 2022 season, the third-year head coach may find himself on the hot seat.
The Browns now have a real No. 1 receiver in Amari Cooper.
The Cleveland Browns should be charged with robbery by the NFL because that is precisely what occurred. Amari Cooper is likely one of the league’s top 15 wide receivers, and he’s also one of the most accurate route runners.
The Browns entered the offseason with a massive void at the position. The team parted ways with Odell Beckham Jr. midseason due to his lack of chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield. His close friend, Jarvis Landry, now appears to be at odds with the front office. According to ESPN‘s Adam Schefter, Cleveland has granted Landry permission to seek a trade.
Whatever Andrew Berry chooses to do with the veteran wideout, Cooper is in line to take over as the team’s top receiver.
When healthy, the former Cowboys star has been a regular performer. In 56 games with Dallas, he had 292 catches for 3,893 yards and 27 touchdowns. Cooper finds ways to perform while being part of a stacked offense. In the Browns offense, his target share should climb.
Why should Kevin Stefanski be under duress?
Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns reacts during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers | Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images; Amari Cooper of the Dallas Cowboys on the sideline during a game against the Washington Football Team | Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
The Browns had a lot of excitement heading into the 2021 season. Kevin Stefanski’s team has just finished an 11-5 season in 2020, coming close to defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL playoffs’ Divisional Round.
Cleveland was widely anticipated to compete for the AFC North crown, with some even projecting the club as a Super Bowl candidate. Regrettably, the squad failed to live up to the expectations. The Browns are starting over in the offseason after missing the playoffs outright.
Baker Mayfield’s inconsistency was one of the team’s worst failures in 2021. Despite battling various ailments, the fourth-year quarterback was less than outstanding on the field. While the running attack was a strength, the offense lacked consistent wide receivers.
That’s where Amari Cooper enters the picture. For Cleveland, the Alabama product has the potential to be a game-changer. He can extend the field and is good in short-yardage situations. It’s up to the coaching staff now to put him in the best possible position to succeed. As an offensive-minded coach, Kevin Stefanski will have to find out how to make it work.
It would be a poor look for the head coach if the Browns offense did not improve significantly.
Is it possible for Cleveland to escape disappointment in 2022?
Amari Cooper is still just 27 years old, and a proven No. 1 wide receiver, which the #Browns desperately needed on the heels of the OBJ debacle. Andrew Berry makes his first big move this offseason #Browns
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) March 12, 2022
The Cleveland Browns learned the hard way that titles aren’t won on paper. On both sides of the ball, the front office stacked the roster with talent. Even yet, Kevin Stefanski and his team were unable to pull it off.
Cleveland has a great roster once again for the 2022 season. Defensively, Pro Bowlers Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward lead the way. Due to a poor start, the unit ended in the center of the pack. This defense may be a top-10 unit if the front office can keep Jadeveon Clowney and Anthony Walker Jr. and make a few modifications.
However, there are still concerns on the attacking side of the ball. Baker Mayfield is the starting point. He’s in the last year of his rookie deal, and the question of whether he can be Cleveland’s franchise quarterback remains unanswered. Andrew Berry is optimistic that the addition of Amari Cooper would allow him to reach his full potential.
Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt lead the Browns’ strong rushing game. The offense’s direction is still hampered by the quarterback position’s unpredictability.
The AFC is becoming more competitive, and there’s no indication that Cleveland is a real contender right now. To show that the 2020 season was not a fluke, an all-around team effort will be required.
Pro Football Reference provided all stats.
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