After Monday night’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, the New York Jets traded a conditional third-round pick for Davante Adams.
Barely a week after firing head coach Robert Saleh, Jets owner Woody Johnson seems to be tripling down on this roster. Sitting at 2-4, they probably thought they had the best Quarterback-Wide Receiver duo in the division, and maybe even the conference.
That was for about three hours. And then, the Bills traded for Amari Cooper.
Cooper gets a Quarterback
The 30-year-old receiver cost a 3rd round pick and a late-round pick swap, arguably upgrading from the worst quarterback in the NFL to the best.
Cooper has been productive this season despite having the fifth-worst catchable target rate among receivers. The former Raider, Cowboy, and Browns receiver has 24 receptions for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns through six games.
The Bills came into this season lacking a true WR1, and Amari Cooper slides in perfectly. Cooper has put up over 1000 receiving yards in 4 of his last 5 seasons. The 5-time pro bowler has also had over five touchdowns in all but one season in his whole career.
Although the Bills have relied heavily on their running game this year, Buffalo has been at its best when quarterback Josh Allen has options downfield. Tight Ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox have had slow starts to the season and Khalil Shakir is more of a slot receiver than a number one option. Running Back James Cook has also proved valuable in the receiving game, but there has been a clear hole missing in Stefon Diggs‘ place.
Cooper Comes Cheap
While the Bills did give up some draft capital to acquire Cooper, Buffalo will have to spend very little to have him on the roster. Cooper’s base salary for the season is only $1.2 million, meaning the Bills will only have to pay $782 thousand to have him for the rest of the year. Additionally, Cooper is a free agent at the end of the season, so there is no guarantee to pay him anymore.
Like Fine Wine
While age will be a question, the Alabama product has shown no signs of regression.
Amari Cooper once put up 265 yards. In one game. And, that was LAST SEASON!
He also posted a career-high in receiving yards last season. At 29-years-old.
Cooper’s yards-per-game is nearly half of what it was last season – no thanks to Deshaun Watson. There is no question that he was upset in his previous situation. His explosiveness is no question, but his attitude will be the difference maker.
With the Bills now sitting at 4-2, they go into next week against the Tennessee Titans with a revitalized energy. And, most importantly, Josh Allen has a shiny new receiver. And his name is Amari Coooooooooper.
The only question left is, what number will he wear? He most recently wore #2, currently held by Tyler Bass. But, Bass just missed a 47-yard field goal and an extra point in a close win over the Jets. And, with the Bills working out rising kicker Harrison Mevis, that number might be opening up real soon.
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