Amari Cooper is one of the best receivers that nobody talks about. In discussions of the best receivers in the league, Cooper’s name doesn’t come up often. However, he has put up 1,000-yard seasons in four of the past five years. Last year, he did it with four different quarterbacks as injuries ravaged the team. Can we expect more of the same in 2024?
Amari Cooper 2023 Stats And Fantasy Production
Amari Cooper caught 72 passes for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns. His production didn’t make headlines, but there is a reason the Browns made it to the playoffs. While the heroics of an aging Joe Flacco were a big part of it, Cooper has the surehanded WR1. According to FantasyPros, Cooper was the WR17 in terms of points per game last season. Additionally, he was 23rd in target share meaning he gets a lot of looks in the offense.
The only inconsistency in Cooper’s game came when the quarterback shuffle was still being figured out. In games where Watson or Flacco were not the quarterback, Amari Cooper averaged 1.30 yards per route. With Watson and Flacco, he averaged 2.73 and 2.78 yards, respectively. Watson should be back under center after his shoulder injury. Is this a good thing for his fantasy value?
Amari Cooper 2024 Fantasy Outlook
Last season, the early returns on the Watson-Cooper pairing were positive. The only game that was a dud was against the Baltimore Ravens, which had the toughest defense in football last year. In the other four games Watson started, Amari Cooper averaged just over five catches and 87.7 receiving yards a game. He is most effective on the deep ball, which is something Watson has started to do more since he came to Cleveland. Additionally, if Watson gets bitten by the injury bug again, Jameis Winston will be the backup, and he will not be afraid to throw deep.
Another reason for being bullish on Amari Cooper is the new offensive coordinator, Ken Dorsey. He was fired from the Buffalo Bills last season and now comes to Cleveland. During his time in Buffalo, the Bills were one of the most pass-heavy offenses in the league. The Browns are ranked 19th in neutral-situation pass rate over the past two years. Dorsey will likely boost this number. Furthermore, there are questions about how ready Nick Chubb and the running game are going to be to begin the season. This could mean an uptick in passing.
Final Thoughts
Amari Cooper isn’t going to get “oohs” and “aahs” when you draft him. Most of your league mates will nod their heads and say, “Good pick.” However, the Browns receiver is someone to target in drafts. The Deshaun Watson health factor isn’t an issue here. We’ve seen him adapt depending on who is under center. With the change at offensive coordinator, the Browns will likely throw the ball more. This means more opportunities for Cooper.
Cooper isn’t someone to target in the first round by any means, but he is definitely worth a second or third-round pick in your drafts. It’s often tempting to go with the exciting new receiver who has huge potential, but don’t forget about players like Cooper, who have consistently produced over a long period of time.
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