3 potential cap casualties Commanders could target in free agency

2. Amari Cooper

The Dallas Cowboys would be insane to cut Amari Cooper, as Dak Prescott’s numbers before and after he arrived in 2018 are staggering. However, the Pro Bowl talent finds himself in limbo right now amid growing speculation of his future.

For starters, Cooper is a prime cut candidate given doing so before June 1 would save the Cowboys a whopping $16 million in cap space. In another money-crunching maneuver, PFF even proposed a trade that would send him to Jacksonville.

Though a trade is enticing, the Commanders should perform a wait-and-see approach in the event Dallas shocks everyone and releases Cooper.

Of course, Washington made a run at Cooper during the 2019 offseason after his rookie deal expired. Reports indicate they offered slightly more than the five-year, $100 million contract he signed with Dallas.

Since there’s no income tax in Texas, Cooper still could’ve banked more money with the Cowboys than he would have with Washington. While there’s a new regime in Ashburn, that history suggests the Commanders would kick the tires about signing Cooper if he hits the open market this offseason.

As a receiver who’s gone for over 1,000 yards in five of his seven seasons in the league and is typically good for between 5-8 touchdowns every year, the former No. 4 overall pick would form an elite partnership with Terry McLaurin.