Amari Cooper went through a roller coaster ride during the 2018 NFL season. After starting off the year slow with the Oakland Raiders, Jon Gruden and company shipped him to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a first-round pick. Following the trade, things began to click for Cooper.
Heading into 2019, it's time for Cooper to take the big leap into superstardom. He has had the talent to do so for years, but now he is in the right fit with the opportunity to take his game to a new level.
Throughout the 2018 season with the Raiders and Cowboys, Cooper caught 75 passes for 1,005 yards and seven touchdowns. He played in nine games with the Cowboys after the trade and caught 53 passes for 725 yards and six touchdowns in those appearances. Obviously, his time with Dallas was much better.
Dak Prescott has been needing a true No. 1 target for a couple of years ever since Dez Bryant began declining. Cooper has filled that role perfectly and the two will have a full offseason to work together and improve chemistry.
All of that being said, let's dive in and take a look at three goals that the Cowboys' wide receiver should set for himself in 2019.
3. Record 100 Receptions
Throughout his four NFL season, Cooper has never had a 100-reception season. The closest he came to that number was 83 back in 2016, his second NFL season. Now, he has ever opportunity to reach that milestone.
Prescott will be looking his way all season and Cooper is almost impossible to shut down. At least 100 receptions is a reasonable goal for a wide receiver with his talent and potential. Cooper can prove that he is truly a superstar by racking up 100 receptions and being a consistent go-to guy all year long.
2. Lead the NFL in Receiving Yardage
Next up, Cooper also has the talent to lead the NFL in receiving yardage. That won't be an easy task with names like Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, and DeAndre Hopkins competing for the top of the chart, but the Cowboys can offer Cooper a great situation.
Cooper is capable of making big plays down the field as a vertical threat, but he can also catch passes across the middle and break off long runs. Jason Garrett's offense is going to run through Cooper. If he plays to the top of his potential, Cooper will have a great opportunity to lead the NFL in receiving yards.
1. Catch At Least 12 Touchdown Passes
Finally, the Cowboys are hoping to see their star wide receiver break the 10 receiving touchdown mark for the first time in his career. He had seven touchdowns during the 2017 NFL season, but that is the closest he has come. Not only should he target 10 touchdowns, he should go for more.
Dallas will look to him often in the red zone and he made quite a few big plays last season as well. The Cowboys' offense would be at a new level with Cooper catching 12 touchdowns and it is a more than attainable mark for him if he takes the leap that many are expecting.
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