Amari Cooper, a five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, is making his way to the Buffalo Bills in a midseason trade that could shift the dynamic in the AFC. Cooper has a history of thriving after in-season trades, and the Bills are hoping he can replicate the success he had with the Dallas Cowboys when he became a key factor in their 2018 NFC East title run.
Amari Cooper’s Impressive Career Stats
Cooper’s career has been nothing short of stellar. He is one of only four players in NFL history to accumulate over 2,500 receiving yards for three different franchises — the Raiders, Cowboys, and Browns. Along with players like Irving Fryar and Harold Jackson, Cooper is part of an elite group that has left an indelible mark on the league.
Key career highlights include:
- 1,000-yard receiving seasons for three different franchises
- Five-time Pro Bowl selections
- Over 62 career receiving touchdowns, surpassing the combined totals of all other Bills wide receivers
The Buffalo Bills’ High Expectations for Cooper
The Buffalo Bills acquired Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns by sending a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick, receiving Cooper and a 2025 sixth-round pick in return. The Bills are banking on Cooper to step into the WR1 role left vacant by Stefon Diggs’ offseason departure to the Houston Texans.
Buffalo is eager to see Cooper:
- Become the third player in NFL history (after Brandin Cooks and Brandon Marshall) to post a 1,000-yard season for four different teams
- Fill the WR1 void, with the Bills being the only team without a receiver commanding more than 26% of team air yards in 2024
- Immediately make an impact with Josh Allen, much like Cooper did with Dak Prescott in 2018
Cooper’s Ability to Thrive Midseason: A Proven Record
This is not Cooper’s first midseason trade. Back in 2018, after being dealt from the Oakland Raiders to the Dallas Cowboys, Cooper transformed from averaging 46.7 yards per game to 80.7 yards per game under Prescott’s leadership. His arrival coincided with Dallas’ dramatic turnaround, as they went from 3-5 to winning seven of their final eight games and securing an NFC East championship.
Amari Cooper 2018 Performance:
- With Oakland (Weeks 1-6): 22 receptions, 280 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
- With Dallas (Weeks 9-17): 53 receptions, 725 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns
Buffalo is banking on a similar midseason spark from Cooper, who joins a team that desperately needs a top-tier receiving threat.
How Cooper Fits Into the 2024 Buffalo Bills Offense
Though Cooper struggled in 2024 with Deshaun Watson and the Browns, much of his decline was due to inconsistent quarterback play rather than his own performance:
- Cooper averaged 41.7 receiving yards per game, the lowest of his career
- Despite this, Cooper’s 2.7 yards of separation per route was his highest since his debut year with Prescott in 2018
- His 473 air yards on incomplete targets also led the league, indicating his quarterback’s inability to get him the ball
In Buffalo, Cooper should thrive as the Bills have lacked a dominant receiver. His career yards per reception (15.3) are notably higher than Stefon Diggs’ (11.9), and Cooper has more touchdowns (62) than all the other Bills’ receivers combined (61).
Amari Cooper vs. Stefon Diggs: A Comparison
| Cooper | Diggs |
|---|---|
| 174 Receptions | 252 Receptions |
| 2,660 Receiving Yards | 3,003 Receiving Yards |
| 15.3 Yards/Reception | 11.9 Yards/Reception |
| 16 Receiving TDs | 22 Receiving TDs |
Since joining the Browns in 2022, Cooper has been a consistent contributor, even with a carousel of quarterbacks. In Buffalo, playing with a top-tier QB like Josh Allen, he has the potential to immediately elevate his game.
Conclusion: Can Cooper Recreate His Midseason Magic?
With a history of making an immediate impact after midseason trades, Amari Cooper has the opportunity to become a game-changing weapon for the Buffalo Bills. If he can replicate his 2018 success with Dak Prescott, pairing up with Josh Allen could help Cooper reach new heights and solidify the Bills’ playoff run in 2024.
