The Dallas Cowboys have been home to some of the greatest legends in the NFL and one ex-scout believed a former player could have been another.
America’s Team has boasted some of the best wide receivers in the NFL, starting at the top of the mountain with Michael Irvin.
Irvwin was a key cornerstone of the amazing Dallas Cowboys dynasty that won three Super Bowls in four years, just missing out on the three-peat.
Irwin set franchise records for receiving yards and receptions in a single season and earned All-Pro honors on three occasions.
Dez Bryant and CeeDee Lamb emerge as the next-best receivers for the Cowboys after Michael Irwin
Then Dez Bryant emerged as a highly anticipated first-round talent with exceptional hands and raw ability in 2010.
Despite not having the team success that Irvin had, Bryant achieved certified individual success through First-Team All-Pro selections and three Pro Bowl appearances.
CeeDee Lamb is now the next star talent of the books for the Dallas Cowboys and could become the highest-paid receiver in the league.
In 2023, the 25-year-old broke Irvin’s receptions and receiving yards single-season records.
However, there was one wide receiver on the Cowboys’ roster that could have been the next Jerry Rice.
Amari Cooper has so much potential with the Las Vegas Raiders but has been traded on two occasions
Amari Cooper started his career with the Las Vegas Raiders and he could have been a huge talent for the NFL.
Cooper started his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons but failed to take off and failed to become the all-out WR1.
Mid-way through the 2018 season, the Dallas Cowboys traded for the receiver in exchange for a first-round pick.
In a similar fashion, the 29-year-old kickstarted his Cowboys career with successive seasons of over 1,000 yards.
However, with the emergence of CeeDee Lamb, Cooper’s receiving figures for the season fell to 865 yards.
The Cowboys traded their target man to the Cleveland Browns, and after another opening two seasons with 1,000 yards, he is holding for a new contract.
NFL expert John Middlekauff explains that Cooper could have been the next Jerry Rice
Former NFL Scout John Middlekauff spoke about the receiver holding out and ponded over the potential he possessed.
“It’s weird he (Cooper) was drafted four overall and I remember the expectations at one point, going to his Raiders camp [in] his rookie year, and was like, ‘is this guy going to be the next Jerry Rice,'” Middlekauff explained.
“In a weird way, it feels like he has underachieved but also been a fantastic player, kinda a bizarre career.”