clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Fantasy football implications of Amari Cooper returning to Dallas Cowboys

We break down the fantasy impact Cowboys players could have now that Amari Cooper is returning to Dallas for the 2020 season.

Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper catches a touchdown pass against the Dolphins at AT&T Stadium.  Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys are keeping their big three together, as Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, and Amari Cooper are all under contract for the 2020 season. Elliott inked a long-term deal ahead of the 2019 season while Prescott was named Dallas’ franchise player instead of receiving the super contract sought out. Cooper signed a massive five-year, $100 million deal with the team and will headline for the team’s receiving corps.

Amari Cooper

Cooper had a career year in 2019. He reached career highs in receiving yards (1,189) and touchdowns (8) while tallying 79 receptions. He led the team in targets (119) and him become a top 10 fantasy wideout for the first time in his career. He could accomplish that feat again in 2020.

One thing that will impact Cooper’s production is Randall Cobb leaving in free agency. Cobb was the Cowboys’ WR3 last season and ranked third in targets (83) and passing yards (828). Dallas has yet to find a replacement for him, and that could raise Cooper’s ceiling.

Cooper should be able to put together another top 10 season in 2020 with one less veteran receiver to compete with. Although Michael Gallup is right on his tail, Cooper is the priority in the passing game.

Dak Prescott

Prescott knew he had to have a big year in 2019, and he produced at an elite level. He was a top three fantasy quarterback and posted career highs across the board. Prescott ranked second in passing yards (4,902), fourth in passing touchdowns (30), and ran for three touchdowns. However, this will be be difficult to replicate in 2020.

Losing Cobb to free agency will affect Prescott, but he also retains capable tight end Blake Jarwin, who will take over for Jason Witten as a starter. Elliott should also be in better shape, as he missed time before the 2019 season because of a contract holdout. A more consistent ground game could make Dallas’ offense more balanced.

It’s not likely that that Prescott will be as good as he was last season, but he still has two elite weapons at his disposal. It’s hard to see him falling outside of the top 10, but he’ll probably drop out of the top five.

Ezekiel Elliott

Despite spending time away from the team ahead of the 2019 season, Elliott was a top five running back for a second straight year. He tallied 1,327 yards and ran for 12 touchdowns while also catching 71 passes for 420 yards and two scores.

Elliott is versatile and will continue to carry a heavy workload moving forward as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. Tony Pollard isn’t a threat to take many touches from Elliot. There isn’t much higher Elliott can go, but it’s safe to say he’ll remain in the top five for a third straight year.

Michael Gallup

Gallup is on the rise and was just outside the top 20 for fantasy wideouts last season. He notched 66 receptions for 1,107 receiving yards and six scores while playing second fiddle to Cooper.

He could also benefit from Cobb leaving. Gallup only got three fewer targets than Cooper in 2019, and he could get even more passes thrown his way in 2020. His ceiling might not be much higher than where he finished last season, but he has a good chance to perform at the same level or slightly better.

Blake Jarwin

Jarwin signed a three-year, $24.25 million deal this offseason, so it’s safe to say Dallas expects him to be a major playmaker moving forward. He caught 31 passes for for 365 yards and three scores last season, but now he’ll get an opportunity to make more of a difference.

He broke the top 30 while playing behind Witten last season and has a chance to move into the top 20 this season. He has a ton of potential, and now he could step in and become the third best pass catcher on Dallas.