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Amari Cooper is Overrated – Fantasy Football Preview

By Perry Lowe

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Amari Cooper is currently being viewed as an elite wide receiver for fantasy football drafts and is being selected in the late second round (28th Overall on ESPN). Is a second year player on an emerging offense worth a pick this early? In my opinion the answer is no, selecting Cooper this early in any fantasy draft is a huge mistake in my opinion. The players being drafted around Cooper are all much better in my opinion and the tough division that Cooper plays in becomes an added hindrance to his value.

Amari Cooper – Better Value Elsewhere?

ESPN Draft Results:

  1. Alshon Jeffery
  2. Mike Evans
  3. Sammy Watkins
  4. Amari Cooper
  5. Brandin Cooks
  6. Keenan Allen
  7. Demaryius Thomas

In my opinion every single player on this list is a much better option than Amari Cooper. Alshon Jeffery is certainly a much more valuable asset due to his dominant seasons in the past. Mike Evans has had two great seasons and will probably find the end zone more this season. Sammy Watkins has struggled with injuries recently but certainly can dominate when he is healthy. 

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Brandin Cooks is one of my breakout candidates this season due to his dominant second half last season. Keenan Allen is a large risk but can pay off in the long run. Demaryius Thomas has one of the best track records on this list and has been a top receiver in the NFL. All of these wide receivers being selected around Cooper are far better options in my opinion. 

Divisional Woes

Last season against the AFC West, Cooper consistently struggled to produce fantasy results averaging only 5.3 points per game. 19 of Cooper’s 36 points against the AFC West came in Week Seven against San Diego. Oakland will play six games against the AFC West again this year which further deteriorates Cooper’s value in the large majority of his games.

Denver won the Super Bowl last season with one of the strongest defenses in history. Kansas City ranked inside the top 10 in many defensive categories. San Diego is the lone exception for defense in this division. Despite being one of the weaker defenses in the NFL, San Diego held Cooper to just 1 fantasy point in Week 16. All of these defenses have given Cooper trouble in the past and can certainly shut him down again this year. 

Next: Is Gronk worth the Investment?

Verdict

Amari Cooper is simply being over drafted this season. Last year as a rookie he was a fine value pick but the masses are over-valuing the jump in Year Two. The players being selected around Cooper are all considerably more talented and are much better picks at their respective points in the draft! Cooper is not a consistent weekly starter whereas many of the players being drafted near him can be started every week. Look elsewhere this year and let someone else take the risk on Cooper!

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