Fantasy Football

Amari Cooper

WR - CLE

Height: 6-1

Weight: 225 lbs

Age: 29

College: Alabama

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2023 Season Outlooks

There are some issues that might keep Cooper from being as good as he was in 2022. With Deshaun Watson for six games last season, Cooper averaged 6.5 targets and 11.6 PPR Fantasy points per game, both of which pale in comparison to the 8.5 targets and 16.0 PPR points per game he collected with Jacoby Brissett. Assuming Cooper will just recoup those lost 2.0 targets per game with Watson isn't promised as the Browns added three new targets to their passing game, including intriguing after-catch speedster Elijah Moore and rookie big man Cedric Tillman. On the plus side, Cooper isn't showing any signs of slowing down as his efficiency still ranked high in 2022. Figure him as a Fantasy starter who will deliver some boom weeks but will mostly be a steady, modest contributor. He should get taken around 50th overall.

Cooper had a stellar 12-game stretch to open the season but fell off once QB Deshaun Watson returned from suspension in Week 13. Watson’s poor individual performance to close 2022 casts clouds over all Browns pass-catchers entering this upcoming season.There’s no doubt that Cooper will once again be the #1 target in this Browns’ passing attack, but he faces a bit more target competition with the arrival of WR Elijah Moore.

Cooper is best viewed as a low-end WR2 with upside.

What We Learned Last YearCooper joined the Browns following an offseason trade from the Cowboys. The former 1st-round pick immediately walked into this offense and became an impactful player, finishing as the WR10 in PPR with 14.5 points per game.He logged six top-12 weekly finishes in 2022, with two others within the top-24 among WRs.Only one of Cooper’s top-12 finishes came in the six games that QB Deshaun Watson started from Week 13 on.During that period, he also logged a WR31 finish (Week 16) but was otherwise outside of the top 40 with Watson.To his credit, Cooper performed significantly better when Jacoby Brissett was the Browns’ starting QB last season:Week 1 - Week 12 (w/ Brissett): 5.2 receptions/game, 72 receiving yards/game, 7 receiving TDs, WR14 overall in PPR (16.1 points per game)Week 13 - Week 18 (w/ Watson): 3.5 receptions/game, 61.3 receiving yards/game, 2 receiving TDs, WR38 overall in PPR (11.3 points per game)Cooper led the Browns in targets (133), target share (26.2%), air yards share (38.7%), and Weighted Opportunity Rating.Among 34 WRs who saw 100+ targets last season, Cooper ranked: 12th in PFF receiving grade12th in yards per route run (2.06)16th in receiving yards (1,160)
What to Expect in 2023Despite the additions of 3rd-round rookie WR Cedric Tillman and veteran WR Elijah Moore via trade from the Jets, Cooper remains the Browns’ No. 1 WR in 2023.The Browns’ offense finished last year 22nd in pass rate, though they should improve upon that somewhat now that Watson has reacclimated himself to the NFL game after nearly two seasons away from the sport.Cooper’s fantasy value will depend on whether or not Watson regains his pre-hiatus form as a passer. As such, we’re treating Cooper as a low-end WR2 with some upside for more if everything breaks right for this offense in 2023.

Cooper was traded to the Browns last offseason and proceeded to put together one of his best NFL campaigns. The former Raiders and Cowboys star posted career-high marks in target share (26%), touchdowns (nine) and end zone targets (15), the latter of which was exceeded by only DK Metcalf. Cooper also matched his career-best fantasy finish (10th), and that was with Deshaun Watson suspended for 11 games. He has now finished all eight of his NFL seasons between 14th and 31st in fantasy PPG. Cooper is entering his age-29 season as a clear No. 1 target and will have Watson under center from the get-go this time around. He's a fringe WR2.