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Throwing a counterpunch to the New York Jets’ acquisition of Davante Adams, the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills connected a haymaker of their own by acquiring Amari Cooper and a 2025 sixth-round pick from the Cleveland Browns for a 2025 third-rounder and 2026 seventh-rounder.
The wide receiver’s exit from the Factory of Sadness could finally shed his “Pooper” image for “Potpourri.” You could say trading in the fast-fading Deshaun Watson for Josh Allen is a slight upgrade.
Mostly wandering aimlessly with the Browns this season, Cooper currently ranks outside the top 40 in fantasy points per game in 0.5 PPR leagues. His overall air yards slotting is the best in the business, but he’s also No. 1 in unrealized air yards due to opportunities that have been repeatedly squandered. His No. 90 standing in catchable target rate confirms the obvious.
As his top-five ranking in total route wins implies, Cooper’s separation skills remain elite. Watson’s laughable play suppressed his WR2 potential.
Cooper immediately becomes Allen’s top target in a Bills offense that needed a true downfield playmaker. Allen is only No. 21 in adjusted completion percentage, but as his top standing in big-time throw rate clearly shows, he possesses the cannon to fire chunk pass plays accurately. Cooper should benefit massively.
Given the likely 8-10 target workload, enhanced QB play and generally better offensive environment, Cooper should land in the WR10-WR15 range for the rest of season. Buffalo may not have the friendliest remaining schedule — its slate is the 12th-hardest for fantasy WRs, according to FF Toolbox — but his escape from Cleveland is likely to provide a mental and numbers springboard.
In the City of No Illusions, Cooper finishing in the same class as Drake London, Stefon Diggs and DeVonta Smith is no sleight of hand.