Amari Cooper was surprisingly one of the best fantasy wide receivers you could get during the 2022 season. Cooper finished as a top 10 fantasy wide receiver despite playing with Cleveland Browns backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett nearly all season. Remember that the Browns had to start the first 11 games without Deshaun Watson due to his suspension. Despite that, Cooper gave fantasy managers a top-end fantasy point producer at a cheaper draft price. Fantasy managers hope to get an even better product in Amari Cooper in 2023 with Deshaun Watson back as the full-time starter and a complete offseason to work with the team.
Current ADP
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ADP – 39
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WR ADP – #WR17
Amari Cooper heads into the 2023 season as the unopposed WR1 for Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns. Cooper is coming off draft boards as the 17th-selected wide receiver. I just did a fantasy draft for one of my home leagues and drafted Cooper in the fourth round (from the ninth overall spot), pairing him with Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. A fourth-round ADP is spot-on value for Cooper. I won’t lie, the fourth holds some tantalizing choices to make when you get there. Other wide receivers like DK Metcalf, Keenan Allen, and Calvin Ridley are going around the same range, and all have been pretty solid for fantasy. Cooper has solid value and upside at that draft position. With a full offseason to work with Deshaun Watson, Cooper could once again establish himself as a top-15 fantasy wide receiver or beyond.
#Browns Deshaun Watson to Amari Cooper for a TD in 7 on 7’s pic.twitter.com/XLBVB4mbFY
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) August 24, 2023
Fantasy Insight
Amari Cooper was a surprise to me last season. It wasn’t due to a lack of talent or anything but imagining that Jacoby Brisett would be able to help Cooper produce at a high enough level to be a strong fantasy player was a bit hard to get around. Under Brissett last season, Cooper was able to finish as a top-10 fantasy wide receiver, averaging 14.5 FPPG. Cooper ranked ninth in Air Yards Per Reception at 22.6 and 12th in Yards per Reception with 14.87. Cooper has always been renowned for his route running ability, making him a dangerous wideout in the right hands. But even under duress, Cooper can still get the job done. During the 2022 season, Cooper managed a 75.7% True Catch Rate and tied for fourth in Contested Catches with 34. Cooper is a wide receiver that can be effective for fantasy managers and should Watson elevate his game to what we used to see during his tenure with the Houston Texans, that’s reason enough to give Cooper a shot this season.
Fantasy Value
If there’s one thing about Amari Cooper, it’s that he has fantasy value that can’t be overlooked by fantasy managers. Over the last three seasons, Cooper has averaged 14.2 FPPG in PPR formats. Heading into the 2023 draft season, Cooper has established himself as a top wide receiver and as mentioned earlier, gets to play with Deshaun Watson this season. That combination of QB/WR should be enticing for fantasy managers to invest in as most hope that Watson will return to form after missing much of last season with a suspension. If you’re looking to add Cooper to your fantasy team, you could take him as a low-end WR1. If you’re looking to maximize your fantasy team, pairing Cooper with a WR1 may be the best way to go as his upside would still remain. Cooper led the Browns receiving corp with a 26.1% target share (132 targets) in 2022 and will remain at the top of the pecking order for Watson. Cooper also led the Browns’ wide receiver group in Red Zone targets (16) and fantasy points (49.6) during the 2022 season. Cooper may not be the flashiest wide receiver in fantasy football but he definitely gets the job done.
Watson to Amari Cooper for 53 🎯
(via @Browns)pic.twitter.com/9wjHBGZpet
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) August 26, 2023
Dynasty Value
Cooper’s age places him on the “old man” side of fantasy when it comes to Dynasty but Cooper’s talent hasn’t seemed to take a hit, which is something fantasy managers should want to consider. Cooper played 14 games or better over the last five seasons in the NFL, and while there is some trepidation as to Cooper’s health at times, he’s largely been available for fantasy managers. If my fantasy team can contend for the fantasy playoffs, Cooper would be a wide receiver I would target via trade even at 30 years of age. Cooper has shown to be able to produce at a high level, and that’s what should matter the most.
Bold Prediction
I liked Cooper’s game when he was a Dallas Cowboy and I thought it was a mistake to get rid of him like the Cowboys did. But that didn’t stop Cooper from continuing to be an effective fantasy product. I’ve managed to get a few shares of Amari Cooper this season so I can honestly say I’m “walking it like I’m talking it”. Cooper now armed with Deshaun Watson could see an overall growth in targets this season so barring health, I’m looking at 1,200 yards and 7 touchdowns for Cooper this season. Make sure to grab him for your fantasy teams and if it works out, slide back on Twitter and dap me up.
