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Dynasty League Rookie Prospect: Alabama Wide Receiver Amari Cooper

By Bruce Matson

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Nov 29, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) catches a first quarter touchdown past Auburn Tigers defensive back Jonathan Jones (3) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper is one of the top wide receivers in this class. It is highly likely that he is going to be the first wide receiver drafted this year, and he’s more than likely going to be drafted in the top 10. Cooper isn’t along the lines of a Calvin Johnson or a Julio Jones, but he is a highly talented prospect who is worth the investment of a top rookie pick.

College Production

Amari Cooper broke out during his freshman season (age 18) by catching 59 passes for 1,000 yards and 11 TDs. Cooper had another good season during his sophomore year (age 19) by catching 45 passes for 736 yards and 4 TDs during 12 games . Cooper suffered through foot and toe injuries during his sophomore season, which caused him to miss two games and a decrease in production. Foot injuries are very concerning for wide receivers, but Cooper abolished all doubt by having a highly productive junior season. During his junior year (age 20) Cooper raked in an outstanding 124 passes for 1,727 yards and 16 TDs. Cooper had 7 games with over 100 yards receiving and 3 games with over 200 yards receiving. Cooper had an outstanding market share of Alabama’s production. During his junior year, Cooper accounted for 25.4% of Alabama’s total offense, 44.40 % of Alabama’s receiving production, and 50% of Alabama’s receiving touchdowns. The 25.4% market share of Alabama’s total offense is very impressive because had to compete against talented running backs (TJ Yeldon and Derrick Henry) to obtain that large of a market share. Cooper broke out at the age of 18 against SEC competition, which means he was facing some of the best defensive backs in the country. A good indicator of an elite prospect is when the player produces at age 19 or younger.

Player Metrics

Cooper checks the boxes with his metrics. He runs a 4.42 40 yard dash, and he has the size to play in the NFL at 6’0 211 LBS. What is really outstanding is his 6.71 3-cone time, which suggests that he’s capable of being an efficient route runner. Cooper is currently 20 years old and won’t be 21 years old until June. Cooper is a young prospect who is going to have longevity in the NFL. Cooper is very comparable to Sammy Watkins athletically, who was the top rookie drafted in most rookie drafts last year. Cooper is very under-rated when it comes to his athletic ability, and is dubbed to being a player with very low upside because of it. Sammy Watkins however, was deemed a can’t miss explosive athlete last year. I’m not saying Cooper is Watkins or Watkins is Cooper, but his athleticism is being discounted currently when it shouldn’t be.

Film Review

Cooper checks even more boxes when you watch him on tape. He is an immaculate route runner who is very fluid and can get in and out of his breaks quickly and smoothly. He is the best route runner in this draft. He has very good hands. He’s very good at coming down with tough contested catches. There are not many negatives you could say about his game. He doesn’t have elite speed, but he’s fast enough to beat the defense. He’s not the sexy receiver who makes circus-like catches while winning the jump ball by jumping out of the building in the back of the end zone, but that’s not his game. Cooper is a polished route runner who is going to beat defensive backs with his short area quickness.

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Player Value

Cooper is the safest player in this draft. There’s a chance that he could still bust, but that’s with any player. Cooper is almost bullet proof as a prospect. He checks every box. Cooper is worth the 1.1 in rookie drafts. He’s a very smart pick, because the other top players (Todd Gurley, Kevin White, DeVante Parker) all have their red flags, and Cooper doesn’t have any. The odds of him busting is lower than all the players in your rookie draft. There are some sexier options at the wide receiver position this year, but you don’t want to pay a top 3 pick to find out if they are going to hit that upside that you were chasing when you have a player like Cooper who is super safe. When I say safe, I mean that even if Cooper doesn’t turn into a top 10 wide receiver, he should still be a startable option in fantasy as a WR2 or WR3 for at least 8 years. That’s his floor, as in more than likely the worst thing that could happen. That holds a lot of value when you’re investing a high pick in a player. If you pick a player that’s a complete bust then you are netting a goose egg for the return on your investment, and there’s a higher chance of that happening if you invest in some of the other wide receivers and running backs. I’m one of the biggest advocates of Cooper, and if you’re in need of a receiver and he falls to you in the rookie draft then I recommend that you pull the trigger and draft him.

Need Help with your dynasty team? Contact me on Twitter @bmatz08 and I will give you the guidance you need to make the best decisions on trades, drafts, and the waiver wire.

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