Former Alabama star playmaker projected to land $34 million when NFL free agency begins
Former Alabama star wide receiver Amari Cooper may be changing teams once again this offseason. After failing to help the Buffalo Bills get to the Super Bowl with a quiet playoff performance, Cooper is set to the NFL free agent market next month. According to Ian Valentino of The 33rd Team, Cooper could still command […]
Former Alabama star wide receiver Amari Cooper may be changing teams once again this offseason. After failing to help the Buffalo Bills get to the Super Bowl with a quiet playoff performance, Cooper is set to the NFL free agent market next month.
According to Ian Valentino of The 33rd Team, Cooper could still command a two-year, $34 million deal. He named possible Dallas, Arizona, Los Angeles Chargers, and Detroit as the best fits for the veteran.
Here's his analysis on Cooper:
The Buffalo Bills ran their offense through their slot receivers and have transitioned away from relying on outside playmakers. In three playoff games, Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel combined for 28 targets, 24 receptions, 255 yards, and two touchdowns. Amari Cooper had only eight targets for six receptions and 41 yards.
The Bills were widely praised for acquiring Cooper from the Cleveland Browns for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick. However, Cooper was a non-factor for the team, and it's hard to imagine he'll suddenly bounce back at 31 with a Pro Bowl season. It's actually unbelievable Cooper was so good in 2023 and suddenly lost so much juice one year later.
It's possible that distraction-free training where Deshaun Watson isn't present and torpedoing a team's chances to win helps Cooper. Cooper's drop issues have been intermittent, so prospective teams will hope Cooper looks more like the reliable possession threat he was in Cleveland than in half a season in Buffalo.
The door is probably closed for Cooper to return to Orchard Park, but that doesn't mean he has no value. It's probably time to adjust expectations for Cooper to be more of a No. 2 option on a healthy offense.
Cooper had a remarkable career as a wide receiver at the University of Alabama from 2012 to 2014, establishing himself as one of the top pass catchers in college football and playing a crucial role in maintaining Alabama's status as a leading program.
In his freshman year (2012), Cooper set Alabama's freshman records by making 59 receptions for 1,000 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns. He was instrumental in the Crimson Tide's national championship journey, highlighted by a memorable performance in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia, where he caught the decisive 45-yard touchdown pass.
During his sophomore season (2013), Cooper's production dipped slightly due to injuries, but he still recorded 45 receptions for 736 yards and four touchdowns. Despite the setbacks, he showcased his exceptional playmaking skills, notably in the Iron Bowl against Auburn with a pivotal 99-yard touchdown catch.
His junior year (2014) was a historic one for Cooper, as he delivered one of the greatest seasons for a college wide receiver. He set SEC records with 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns, earning unanimous All-American recognition and winning the prestigious Biletnikoff Award for being the nation’s top receiver.
Cooper had several standout performances, including a record-setting 224 receiving yards in a game against Tennessee and 12 catches for 83 yards in the SEC Championship Game versus Missouri. A highlight of his career came in the 2014 Iron Bowl against Auburn, where he dominated with 13 receptions for 224 yards and three touchdowns.
After his junior season, Cooper declared for the NFL Draft, finishing his time at Alabama as the all-time leader in receptions (228), receiving yards (3,463), and receiving touchdowns (31). His significant contributions to the team solidified his legacy as one of the greatest wide receivers in Alabama's history.
