UNC in the NFL: Jonathan Cooper goes from worst to first
Jonathan Cooper goes from last place Browns to top-seeded Cowboys
Just three days removed from the Cleveland Browns’ only victory of the 2016 season, guard Jonathan cooper was sent packing, waived by the league’s worst franchise.
On Tuesday, Cooper was signed by the 13-3 Dallas Cowboys who have home field advantage throughout the playoffs and are considered strong favorites to reach Super Bowl 51.
“Oh, man, I’m very fortunate,” Cooper told the Star-Telegram. “I’m very blessed for this opportunity, and I’m grateful. I’m very grateful and humbled by the opportunity. To come to a place where they have the No. 1 offensive line and join a great rank of guys and just have an opportunity to learn and improve my game and just possibly be part of something very special.”
After a successful career at the University of North Carolina, Cooper entered the 2013 NFL Draft after his junior season and was selected seventh overall by the Arizona Cardinals.
Cooper was widely considered one of the best guards in the draft as well as one of the top overall prospects. However, he suffered a season-ending injury in just the third preseason game of his NFL career.
After returning from injury the following year, Cooper struggled to find consistency on the field. He remained in Arizona for another two seasons until being traded to the New England Patriots in the spring of 2016.
After losing his starting spot at guard, Cooper was released mid-season and claimed off waivers by the Browns. Just two months later, he was again waived and left without a job.
In an unexpected turn of events, Cooper was invited to come work out with the Dallas Cowboys for a potential spot on their playoff roster. The Cowboys liked what they saw and signed Cooper for the duration of the playoffs.
“My expectation is to help any way possible and continue to improve,” Cooper said. “I can’t predict the future. But any way that I can fit in and I can help this group, I’m going to do my best to do it.”
Although Cooper is guaranteed nothing after the 2017 Playoffs, he will have the advantage of being on the game’s biggest stage over the next few weeks. If he can help the Cowboys win their first Super Bowl in 20 years, it could go a long way to getting his next NFL contract.