NFL Expert Reveals Notable Cut Candidate for the Dallas Cowboys
As the Dallas Cowboys approach the 2025 NFL offseason, fans and analysts alike are closely examining the team’s roster and speculating on potential cuts. With salary cap space to manage, roster spots to fill, and decisions to be made regarding player development and team chemistry, the Cowboys will need to make some tough choices. One name that has surfaced as a notable cut candidate is veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks, according to an NFL expert.
Cooks, who was traded to the Cowboys in the 2024 offseason from the Houston Texans, has been a solid contributor in the passing game, but his role and future with the team may be in jeopardy. As the Cowboys continue to evaluate their roster and future goals, Cooks’ contract situation and his overall fit in the offense could lead to the Cowboys parting ways with the veteran receiver. Here’s why Cooks has become a cut candidate and what his potential departure could mean for the Cowboys.
Brandin Cooks’ Situation with the Cowboys
After a trade with the Texans that saw the Cowboys acquire Cooks for a fifth-round and sixth-round draft pick, the hope was that he would provide a proven veteran presence opposite CeeDee Lamb and give Dak Prescott a reliable deep threat in the passing game. Cooks, a former first-round pick with a history of 1,000-yard seasons, was brought in to stretch the field and offer a dynamic weapon in the Cowboys’ offense.
However, Cooks’ time in Dallas has been relatively quiet, despite his reputation. In 2024, he posted respectable numbers — 56 catches for 800 yards and 4 touchdowns — but he never truly became the explosive difference-maker that many had hoped for. Part of this could be attributed to offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s departure and the shift to a more conservative offensive scheme under Mike McCarthy, which limited the number of explosive plays for the team.
While Cooks remained a valuable asset as a complementary receiver, the emergence of Michael Gallup and Jalen Tolbert, combined with CeeDee Lamb’s continued development, has created a crowded receiver room. The Cowboys now have multiple options at wide receiver, making Cooks’ role in the offense less prominent than initially expected. With the team’s commitment to Lamb as the top target and Gallup’s familiarity with the offense, the Cowboys could be rethinking how they allocate their resources.
Financial Impact and Salary Cap Considerations
From a financial perspective, the decision to cut Brandin Cooks becomes more clear when considering the salary cap implications. Cooks signed a two-year deal with the Cowboys, and while his contract is structured to be manageable, his $12.5 million cap hit in 2025 might not be worth it for the Cowboys if his production doesn’t match the price tag.
If the Cowboys were to cut Cooks, they would save approximately $8 million in cap space, which is significant for a team looking to build around young talent while maintaining flexibility for free-agent signings. This extra cap room could be allocated to other needs on the roster, such as strengthening the offensive line, bolstering the defensive secondary, or adding depth to the running back position.
Given the Cowboys’ tight salary cap situation and their need to maximize resources, parting ways with Cooks could provide them with financial relief that could go toward other critical areas. While the team likely appreciates Cooks’ leadership and skill set, the financial flexibility gained by releasing him might be too tempting to pass up.
The Emergence of Young Talent
Another factor that could make Cooks expendable is the emergence of younger receivers. CeeDee Lamb has firmly entrenched himself as the Cowboys’ top target, and his continued development as one of the NFL’s elite wide receivers has made him the focal point of the offense. Meanwhile, Michael Gallup is beginning to return to his previous form after recovering from an ACL injury, and Jalen Tolbert has shown flashes of promise in limited opportunities.
Tolbert, a 2022 third-round draft pick, has steadily developed into a solid contributor. While he hasn’t yet reached the consistency expected from a top receiver, he has proven to be a reliable option with the potential to contribute more significantly in 2025. Given his development, the Cowboys might feel confident in relying on Tolbert for an increased role, making Cooks less essential to their offense.
Additionally, the Cowboys could explore adding another younger, cost-effective wide receiver through the draft or free agency, further solidifying the case to part ways with Cooks. The team’s emphasis on developing talent in-house may lead to them focusing more on younger, less expensive options who can complement Lamb and Gallup without the high cap hit that Cooks commands.
How Cutting Cooks Could Impact the Cowboys’ Offense
If the Cowboys do decide to cut Brandin Cooks, it will undoubtedly have an impact on the offense, but it might not be as dramatic as some may think. While Cooks’ speed and deep-threat ability are valuable, his absence would force the Cowboys to rely more heavily on their current wide receiver corps and possibly shift toward utilizing Tony Pollard more in the passing game.
The loss of Cooks would place more pressure on Gallup to step up and return to his pre-injury form. He has the potential to be a strong second option opposite Lamb, but it’s clear that the Cowboys would need to continue developing their passing attack and ensure they have a dynamic second receiver.
Additionally, the Cowboys could focus on strengthening the tight end position, with Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot emerging as key pieces in the passing game. The Cowboys might lean more into two-tight end sets or rely on their backs to catch passes out of the backfield to offset the loss of a veteran wideout like Cooks.
What’s Next for Brandin Cooks?
If Cooks is indeed cut by the Cowboys, he will likely become a sought-after free agent. Despite a quieter 2024 season, Cooks still has the speed and skill set that many NFL teams would value. His experience as a top-tier deep threat could be enticing to teams in need of a vertical passing weapon.
Several contenders looking to bolster their receiving corps for a playoff push or Super Bowl run could be interested in adding Cooks. Given his history of 1,000-yard seasons, he may draw interest from teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, or New York Giants, all of which could use a reliable veteran to stretch the field and provide another dynamic option for their quarterbacks.
For Cooks, the decision to part ways with the Cowboys could open up a new chapter in his career with a team that could give him more opportunities to contribute. Whether he stays in the NFC or moves to another conference, he remains a valuable commodity in the league.