Cowboys trade for Texans WR Brandin Cooks

FRISCO, Texas — Wanting to add speed and a complement to Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb, the Dallas Cowboys are acquiring wide receiver from the Houston Texans Brandin Cooks for a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth-round pick, said sources to ESPN’s Jeremy. Fowler and Adam Schefter.

The Cowboys and Texans had discussions about a deal before last year’s trade deadline, but couldn’t reach an agreement.

The cooks’ $18 million salary in 2023 is guaranteed, although there may be some salary absorbed by the Texans, a source told Fowler. He is signed until 2024.

Last year, the Cowboys traded Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round pick, but only added veteran James Washington in free agency and third-round replacement Jalen Tolbert. Washington broke his foot in training camp and went just two games without a hold before his release. Tolbert caught just two assists as a rookie.

As Michael Gallup returns from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, executive vice-president Stephen Jones said it was “probably fair” to criticize the Cowboys for not doing enough to replace Cooper.

At Cooks, the Cowboys are acquiring a speed threat to partner Lamb and Gallup, who the organization says will be much better in his second year without major surgery.

Cooks, who turns 30 in September, expressed his displeasure in Houston and said he doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild. He caught 57 passes for 699 yards and three scores in 13 games for the Texans last season.

In his career with the Texans, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints, he has 630 receptions for 8,616 yards and 49 touchdowns.

This is the fourth time he has been traded in his career.

The Cooks deal is the second major trade the Cowboys completed last week. Dallas also acquired cornerback Stephon Gilmore from the Indianapolis Colts for a fifth-round pick (No. 176 overall).

The Cowboys built their roster through the draft, avoiding major free agent signings. They now have a choice at every turn. They had three fifth-round picks after the compensatory selections were announced, but have since handed out two.