Week 3 at Washington
The Raiders go cross-country, but it's on Sunday Night Football and the west to east trip issues should not be a factor due to the late kickoff. That's evidenced by Vegas assigning an implied team total second to only the Patriots this week for the silver and black. Cooper had a frustrating week in Week 2 with Crabtree getting three scores, but Cooper was the one with the red zone targets in Week 1. In what should be a high-scoring game, Cooper is still a solid WR1 option this week, as long as Josh Norman doesn't shadow him.
Week 2 vs. New York Jets
The Raiders could not have hand-picked an easier home opener against the NFL's version of 'Trust the Process'. The Raiders have the second-highest implied team total in Vegas at 28.5 points. Oakland is going to be hangin' some points on the Jets with Mr. Cooper. Consider him a borderline WR1 in Week 2 in all formats. Even more promising were Cooper's 4 red zone targets last week, after only having 13 all of last season.
Week 1 at Tennessee Titans
Amari Cooper only registered 4 receptions for 62 yards against the Titans last season, but this matchup is too juicy to toy with Cooper in your lineups. Tennessee is last in our aFPA vs. WRs. Overall, they allowed the most PPR fantasy points to wide receivers last year. Fire up Cooper as a WR1 option this week.
Fantasy Upside
Amari Cooper progressed from WR21 his rookie season to WR15 last year, and Derek Carr has warned the "dog in him is coming out." Cooper just turned 23, and his arrow is most certainly pointing up after four 20+ point performances in 2016.
Fantasy Downside
Week-to-week consistency and red zone involvement are still huge question marks for Cooper. Cooper had zero red zone touchdowns last year on only five red zone targets, after only eight red zone targets and two red zone touchdowns as a rookie. He also failed to crack 60 yards in nine of his games.
2017 Bottom Line
Cooper must continue to develop to be worth the price of fantasy admission. His ADP sits near the top of the third round. It's a high-risk situation, given Cooper didn't even lead Oakland in targets last year. There are other receivers we like more that are being drafted a round later, including his teammate Michael Crabtree.
Wild Card Round at Houston
Amari Cooper finally got back in the end zone and dropped a 4-39-1 line on eight targets in a 24-6 loss against the Broncos in Week 17. For such an “elite” talent, Cooper broke 100 yards just three times this past season and this will run the majority of his routes against A.J. Bouye. It’s a very poor matchup against the Texans in regards WR aFPA.
Week 17 at Denver
Amari Cooper dropped an average 4-72-0 line on six targets in a 33-25 win against the Colts in Week 16. Michael Crabtree’s target share of 26.09 percent has dwarfed Cooper’s 16.67 percent over the past four games. It’s a poor matchup against the Broncos in regards to WR aFPA, and Cooper will be a high-end WR3 in Week 17.
Week 16 vs. Indianapolis
Amari Cooper struggled again with one catch for 28 yards on three targets in a 19-16 win against the Chargers in Week 15. Cooper is dealing with a shoulder injury and has struggled to get going lately, but he has a fantastic matchup this week against Vontae Davis to get back on track. The team has said they they plan to get him more involved. Michael Crabtree’s target share of 27.08 percent has dwarfed Cooper’s 16.67 percent over the past four games. It’s a slightly above average matchup against the Colts in regards WR aFPA, but Cooper will be a mid-ranged WR2 in Week 16.
Week 15 at San Diego
Amari Cooper struggled again with five catches for 29 yards on 10 targets in a 21-13 loss against the Chiefs in Week 14. Cooper is dealing with a shoulder injury, but has struggled to get going lately, as he's failed to surpass 60 receiving yards in a game since Week 8. Cooper will look to break out of his slump against a Chargers defense that has allowed the eighth-most passing yards per game this season. Cooper is a low-end WR1 against the Chargers, who grade out as a below-average matchup in regards to WR aFPA.
Week 14 at Kansas City
Amari Cooper struggled for the second straight week with a 2-59-0 line on four targets in a 38-24 win over the Bills in Week 13. He’s been one of the best receivers in the league this year, but Michael Crabtree has been seeing more targets as of late. Cooper is still second in the league in yards after catch ( 3.8 p/tgt) and fifth in contested catch rate (76.9%). In a high-end matchup against the Chiefs in regards to WR aFPA, expect Cooper to get back on track as a mid-range WR1 in Week 14.
Week 13 vs. Buffalo
Amari Cooper flopped in a cupcake matchup for a 4-2-0 line on seven targets in a 35-32 win over the Panthers in Week 12. He’s been one of the best receivers in the league this year and currently ranks second in yards after catch (3.7 yards per target). He also ranks first in contested catch rate, while boasting a 22.44 percent target share over his past four games. In an above-average matchup against the Rams in regards to WR aFPA, Cooper is a mid-range WR1 in Week 13.
