The Dallas Cowboys season came to an end, once again, in the Divisional Round. That makes it seven straight games they have lost with an opportunity to earn a spot in the NFC Championship Game. It was a loss that owner Jerry Jones called sickening, as the Cowboys will look to regroup this offseason.
They have already made one significant change as offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was let go. Play calling will now be handled by Mike McCarthy in 2023 as Moore has since joined the Los Angeles Chargers staff as their offensive coordinator.
Regardless of who is calling the plays, this is an offense that needs a little bit more of a punch added to it. The passing offense was over-reliant on CeeDee Lamb, who stepped up in the postseason but was the only player that produced.
In the Divisional Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Lamb caught 10 passes for 117 of Dak Prescott’s 206 yards. The other wide receivers on the team combined for three catches as Michael Gallup was held without a reception in the game.
While some slack can be given to Gallup as he was working his way back from an ACL tear, the talent behind Lamb needs to be upgraded this offseason. The Cowboys are planning to make another run at Odell Beckham Jr. but he isn’t the only talented pass catcher available this offseason.
If the Cowboys want to make a big splash they should call the Arizona Cardinals about DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins is being made available by the Cardinals this offseason and he should be one of the most sought-after players.
Hopkins has struggled to stay on the field in recent seasons, playing in 19 games combined in 2021 and 2022. But, when he is out there, he still produces at a high level. In nine games this season, Hopkins caught 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns. That level of production is something Dallas would love to have opposite of Lamb.
Acquiring Hopkins will not be cheap. The Cardinals traded for him at a discount, but they aren’t going to give him away for one. Dallas can offer their first and third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft for him and see if the Cardinals bite.
Hopkins may look for an extension as part of the deal, which Dallas should be open to working out. If Beckham is going to cost north of $20 million, Hopkins would be money better spent given his less concerning injury history and better production in recent seasons.
