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‘There’s something holding him back': NFL execs weigh in on ‘polarizing’ Cowboys WR Amari Cooper

Some league experts are high on Cooper, while others are less enthusiastic.

Sometimes, players are judged for who they aren’t rather than by who they are.

That might be what’s up regarding Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper in a recent ESPN poll.

In a continuing series ranking the top 10 players at various positions in the NFL, Cooper came in as the No. 10 wide-out, just barely making the list.

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NFL executives, scouts, coaches, players and other personnel men appear to be split on Cooper, who signed a 5-year, $100 million deal with Dallas this offseason. Some ranked him as high as a top-five receiver, while others didn’t even rank him in the top 15.

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“One coordinator said Cooper is ‘top 10 in his sleep’ with ‘effortless’ ability...”

Counterpoint:

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“‘There’s something holding him back,’ one NFL personnel man said. ‘He was the best receiver on the market and I didn’t want to sign him.‘”

Last season, Cooper earned his fourth Pro Bowl appearance as he hauled in 79 catches, and set career-highs in yards (1,189) and touchdowns (8). He ranked second in the league with a 59 percent catch rate on passes of 20-plus yards (13 for 22) and first in receiving yards in the boundary (176).

Yet, some experts perceived that Cooper didn’t show up when it mattered. Disappointing performances in high-profile games last season, including games at New England and Philadelphia, may have lowered his stock.

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Still, other comments were positive:

“Cooper is from Miami but doesn’t carry that ‘Miami swag’ and is more reserved by nature, an NFC exec said. But the exec notes he shouldn’t be punished for that and is easily in the top five.”

“A scouting report from an offensive coordinator reads: ‘Big, really fast, understands runaway angles, he’ll catch it and you say, ‘How did he get to the pylon on that?’ Great double mover. Not a technician, sloppy but sudden.‘”

“‘The media has put a label on him — Amari is this or that — but if you watch him and watch him work, he’s a top-level receiver,' the [offensive] coach said.”

Atlanta’s Julio Jones took the No. 1 spot in the poll. Names ranking above Cooper include New Orleans’ Michael Thomas, Arizona’s DeAndre Hopkins, Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and Green Bay’s Davante Adams.

ESPN’s voters also ranked quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott top 10 at their positions.

-- Read ESPN’s full WR rankings story here.

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