Week 8 - Cooper vs. Arizona
Riley Cooper caught five balls for 59 yards on seven targets back in Week 6.
If you haven't been keeping track, it's been three pretty decent fantasy games for Cooper in a row now. He had 54 yards in Week 4, and 33 yards and a TD Week 5. While that may not seem like a big deal, he's been much more visible than the first three weeks. And I'm not saying run out and grab him, but if you play in a deeper league he's a guy to continue to monitor. It's a decent matchup this week and I would expect Cooper could have his chances again with Patrick Peterson likely on Jeremy Maclin.
Week 6 - Cooper vs. NY Giants
Riley Cooper caught his first TD of the season, an impressive grab going one-on-one with a defender and stealing it away in the end zone. He finished with four catches for 33 yards and five targets.
It was the kind of catch the big-bodied Cooper has been expected to make all season, but he's dropped more than he's caught in the end zone this year. Cooper still saw less targets than Jordan Mathews (7 to 5), but may be starting to wake up a bit. Cooper had a 6-54-0 line in Week 5 so this was two somewhat productive fantasy games in a row. It's a tough matchup this week as the Giants are sixth in allowing fantasy points to WRs.
Week 5 - Cooper vs. St. Louis
Cooper had six catches for 54 yards on eight targets last week. All were season highs.
For the most part, Cooper has been invisible this season and hasn't really made big, difficult catches when the team needs them - like last week in the end zone. For now, Cooper will remain on the outside with Jordan Matthews in the slot, but Cooper is just not a safe fantasy option, even with a solid matchup this week against the Rams who are 22nd in allowing fantasy points to WRs.
Week 4 - Cooper vs. San Francisco
Riley Cooper hasn't done much to this point but did have his "best" statistical game of the year with four catches for 34 yards on seven targets. He's passed this week in our rankings (in terms of Eagle WRs) by Jordan Matthews who exploded last week for two TDs. Cooper has been pretty invisible this year to this point, and is way too risky for lineups.
Week 3 - Cooper vs. Washington
Cooper had just one catch for eight yards and was only targeted three times last week.
Cooper dropped a very catchable ball for a long TD and was wide open on another play where QB Nick Foles just didn't see him. Still, it's been a very slow start for Cooper who exploded on the scene last year. We were told DeSean Jackson wasn't responsible for opening things up for Cooper in 2013, but so far it's hard to dispute that. Cooper isn't really a safe play until we see more, despite a pretty good mathup against Washington.
Week 2 vs. Colts
Riley Cooper was pretty invisible in Week 1. He finished with four catches for 29 yards on seven targets.
This week, it's another good matchup for the Eagles as the Colts rank just 27th in allowing fantasy points to WRs. Cooper shouldn't be counted on as anything more than a WR3 right now. The hope is he shows some signs of life this week but may be hurting a little from an ankle injury that's plagued him through the preseason.
Week 1 vs Jaguars
Riley Cooper really came on last year after Nick Foles took over for Michael Vick at QB. The big question with Cooper is, was his success because the speedy DeSean Jackson (now in Washington) was on the opposite side?
The Eagles say no, that Jackson rarely drew special attention. That could be good news for owners assuming it's accurate. But the biggest thing is his rapport with Foles. Right now, like teammate Jeremy Maclin, Cooper should be considered depth on your fantasy team. He's an OK WR3 play if you need him this week in a good matchup with the Jags. But there are a lot of mouths to feed on this Eagles offense, so waiting and seeing is probably your best bet if possible.
Fantasy Upside
After Jeremy Maclin got hurt last year, Riley Cooper found himself as the Eagles WR2. While he was mostly invisible to start the season, once Nick Foles took over at QB, Riley’s numbers took off. Many say he lacks separation, but the Eagles insist Cooper can break away from defenders. Cooper now gets a full camp with Foles as the QB and is once again primed to perhaps be his favorite target in this fast-paced offense under Chip Kelly.
Fantasy Downside
Many think the loss of DeSean Jackson will affect Cooper this year. But the Eagles are insisting teams did not double Jackson, thus leaving Cooper open. While it could be accurate, it remains to be seen. The big question is can he produce over a long haul rather than about a half a season like last year.
Bottom Line
When you take in all the information between what the Eagles say and what the media says, you’re left with thinking the difference in Riley Cooper’s play was the quarterback. So, potential owners can take that with them into 2014 if they draft Cooper – that signs point to him continuing to produce with Foles throwing him the ball. Cooper is ranked just 50th on our WR list which makes him borderline draft-worthy in 10 team leagues. But like Jeremy Maclin, Cooper’s ADP is a little higher compared to those around him. So he’s getting picked earlier than his value is indicating. However like Maclin, the potential is certainly there for him to exceed expectations of his projected 48-787-6.4.
