DeAndre Hopkins ‘Can’t Run Anymore!’ Cowboys Better Off with Brandin Cooks?

With DeAndre Hopkins on the free agent market, the Dallas Cowboys have a decision to make regarding how they perceive Brandin Cooks' impact on their offense.

The Dallas Cowboys entered the offseason seeking another receiver to pair with the likes of CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup ... and appeared to check the box by acquiring Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans in March.

But now, with OTAs well underway, the Cowboys have a chance to add another wideout - five-time Pro Bowl selection DeAndre Hopkins.

If one were to ask quarterback Dak Prescott for his thoughts, he'd likely welcome Hopkins with open arms ... but considering financials and the expected market, is getting in the arms race worth it?

While important, perhaps the bigger question at hand is this - do the Cowboys feel Cooks alone is enough of an upgrade to help Prescott and stay away from the Hopkins' sweepstakes?

By now, the book on Cooks has largely been written; he's logged over 1,000 receiving yards in six of his nine professional seasons and has cemented himself as a steady option who should only be more effective in a complementary role.

But is that enough to dissuade a pursuit of Hopkins? On Tuesday comes an SI report citing sources who feature this criticism of Hopkins: “He can’t run anymore.” That seems harsh to us …

Meanwhile, Pro Football Focus believes Cooks can be Dallas' "x-factor" this coming season ... but cites a "lack of depth" in the receiving corps outside of Lamb, which could, in theory, help Hopkins' odds.

"Cooks adds a ton of experience to the group and is a vertical threat," PFF writes. "If he can stretch the field and allow Lamb to work his magic underneath, Dallas’ passing game gets a lot more dangerous."

And really, Hopkins provides much of the same - experience and more danger to an offense that finished last season ranked No. 4 in points per game. Or, at least, he used to.

“America's Team” now must decide if adding a second coming of that value is worth the lofty price tag ... but if there are questions about Hopkins’ speed? At least Dallas knows it won’t have that issue with the standout receiver it has already acquired.

You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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