Report: Browns interested in Amari Cooper if he's cut by Cowboys

As has been expected for weeks, if not months, it was reported Friday that the Dallas Cowboys will "likely" soon release wide receiver Amari Cooper. Cooper drew criticism from team owner and general manager Jerry Jones in mid-January and, more importantly, is due $20 million that becomes fully guaranteed on March 20. 

Unsurprisingly, Cooper may not have to wait long into the new NFL year that opens on March 16 to find his next football home. 

The Athletic's Jeff Howe and Zac Jackson report that the Cleveland Browns have "known for days" that Cooper "would be available through a trade or release" and have an interest in the 27-year-old. They are also interested "in a talented group of free agents that includes Chris Godwin, Mike Williams and Allen Robinson." 

It's widely believed the Browns will make five-time Pro Bowl receiver Jarvis Landry a salary-cap casualty later this month, and Rashard Higgins is also on track to hit free agency. A report surfaced Thursday that Cleveland is committed to keeping Baker Mayfield its starting quarterback for the 2022 season and plans to play him on what essentially is a one-year "prove it" deal worth $18.858 million guaranteed, so it's understandable the club wants to find multiple upgrades at receiver and tight end this spring. 

Cooper tallied 68 catches for 865 yards and eight touchdowns with the Cowboys during the 2021 campaign. As noted by ESPN stats, such numbers would've easily made him the Browns' top overall target in an offense that featured nobody with 600 receiving yards or even 60 catches this past season.