Should I Drop Amari Cooper? Fantasy Football Outlook For Week 13

Amari Cooper was expected to be a fantasy football difference-maker after being traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Buffalo Bills ahead of the trade deadline. The move created significant buzz in the fantasy community, as pairing Cooper’s talents with Josh Allen seemed like a recipe for consistent production.

However, the transition hasn’t been as smooth as hoped. Cooper has been dealing with a shoulder injury and hasn’t surpassed 66 receiving yards in any game since joining Buffalo. The excitement around his trade has quickly been tempered by his lackluster performances so far.

This has led to many questions on what to do with Cooper going forward. So, should you drop Amari Cooper in fantasy football?

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Should I Drop Amari Cooper in Fantasy Football?

Cooper’s fantasy managers have come to expect reliability from him over the years, but that hasn’t translated during his time with the Bills. According to Derek Brown of FantasyPros, Cooper has seen just a 54.9% route share and a mere 6.8% target share, producing an uninspiring 1.29 yards per route run (YPRR) and a 10.5% first-read share over his last two games.

These numbers reflect a player still finding his place in a new offense. While he practiced in full all week ahead of Week 13, which is encouraging, Cooper will need to see a significant uptick in his route participation and involvement in the passing game to regain fantasy relevance.

Amari Cooper is expected to be full practice today.
No restrictions.
But does still appear to be wearing a brace or protective device on the left wrist that was injured. #Bills pic.twitter.com/8uHrdeBdMF

— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) November 27, 2024

The Week 13 matchup doesn’t do Cooper any favors, either. The Bills face a stingy San Francisco 49ers defense on Sunday Night Football, a unit that has allowed the seventh-fewest receiving yards per game and the tenth-fewest fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers since Week 7.

On top of that, there’s the looming threat of a potential blizzard in Buffalo, which could further limit the passing attack. For a player who hasn’t found his groove yet with his new team, this is shaping up to be a tough spot for fantasy production.

Amari Cooper Fantasy Football Outlook for Week 13

Right now, Cooper is a questionable play for fantasy in Week 13. While there’s hope that he’s had enough time to fully digest the Bills’ playbook and that his route share will improve this week, there’s little to suggest a breakout is imminent.

For managers desperate for a starting option, Cooper’s potential connection with Josh Allen might be worth the gamble, but expectations should be kept in check. His role in the offense remains uncertain, and the matchup is anything but favorable.

Current scene in Buffalo via Jon Feliciano’s IG story 🥶 pic.twitter.com/MmkgfEyNwO

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) November 30, 2024

In the long term, Cooper could still emerge as a solid fantasy option as he becomes more integrated into Buffalo’s offense. However, for Week 13, he’s a risky play, especially given the weather and defensive matchup. Fantasy managers should approach with caution and have a backup plan ready if Cooper’s struggles continue.

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