Cowboys Projected to Finally Replace Amari Cooper Opposite CeeDee Lamb

Since dealing wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns in 2022, the Dallas Cowboys have found it difficult to replace both his output and his position in quarterback Dak Prescott’s target hierarchy. It looks like that will soon change.

With major salary cap issues to deal with over the upcoming summer and the possibility of Brandon Cooks leaving the team, Dallas may be well-positioned to choose a wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft who may finally duplicate Cooper’s performance in Prescott’s arsenal.

According to ESPN’s most recent two-round 2024 NFL Mock Draft, wide receiver Keon Coleman of Florida State will be selected by the Cowboys.

For ESPN, Coleman says, “Though Brandin Cooks made a big impact as the 2023 season progressed.” Ever since trading Amari Cooper, Dallas has needed a running mate for CeeDee Lamb. After transferring from Michigan State, 6-foot-4, 215-pound receiver Coleman played just one season at Florida State, where he scored 11 touchdowns on just 50 receptions. Sometimes he needs assistance separating, but with his stature, catch radius, and toughness sprinting through contact, confronting the opposition team’s CB2 would be easy.

By choosing Coleman with the No. 24 overall pick, the Cowboys would be able to replace the 24-year-old Lamb at wide and advance at receiver without having to take on a large extension for Cooks. Coleman would also be younger at the position.

Coleman shown his ability to stretch the field last season as a junior in Tallahassee, as he grabbed 50 passes for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns. Coleman also averaged 13.2 yards per reception.

How Would Keon Coleman Fit The Cowboys’ Offense?

Although Lamb is the Cowboys’ most productive wide receiver, Dallas has been searching for a reliable complementary weapon for the last two seasons.

Coleman is seen by Pro Football Focus as a bit of a boom or bust prospect.

“Listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 215 pounds,” according to Sam Monson. “Coleman has the classic NFL build and has some of the most amazing catches of this draft class on his highlight film.

However, he has never been consistent, and his evaluation contains a number of red flags that will make draft analysts and NFL teams scatter all over the place.

“He made some of the best contested catches you’ll ever see last season, but he caught only 33.3% of those opportunities, down almost half from his previous campaign at Michigan State. The second red flag is that his production across the board has been middling at best, especially when compared to other top receiver prospects even just in this draft.”

In three seasons—two at Michigan State and one overall—Coleman caught 115 passes for 1,506 yards and 19 touchdown grabs.

For Bleacher Report, Derrik Klassen writes, “His ball skills are special.” Before going up for the ball, he does a great job of battling defensive backs for position.

Coleman has perfected the art of tracking and plucking the ball at its highest point when it’s time to go vertical. Additionally, he possesses the strength to nearly always finish and come down with the ball. In the “gotta have it” moments and the red zone, he is a true weapon.