The Cleveland Browns passing game just got dealt a huge blow with the news that QB Deshaun Watson will undergo shoulder surgery and miss the rest of the year. What does this now mean for WR Amari Cooper’s fantasy football value for the final eight games of the 2023 NFL season?
Amari Cooper’s Rest-of-Season Outlook
Fantasy managers are about to be forced to manage their weekly expectations significantly for Cooper without Watson under center as we head into the fantasy playoffs. The production splits for Cooper when Watson is in or out of the lineup this season are concerning for his rest-of-season outlook.
Cooper’s production when Watson plays more than 90% of the offensive snaps:
- Averages five receptions, 96 yards, and has two TDs through five games
Cooper’s production when Watson plays less than 90% of the offensive snaps:
- Averages three receptions, 58 yards, and has no scores through four games
At this moment, it isn’t even clear whether it will be P.J. Walker or Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center for the Browns moving forward. The basic point is the quality of quarterback play is about to drop significantly for Cooper, which takes him from a top-15 option at the WR position to more of a WR3 on a weekly basis, depending on the matchup.
MORE: Deshaun Watson Injury — Fantasy Fallout for Amari Cooper, David Njoku, Jerome Ford, and Others
I won’t go as far as saying Cooper isn’t worth starting on a weekly basis as a Flex option, but his days as a viable low-end WR1 are gone for the rest of this season.
The chemistry between Cooper and Watson this season gives fantasy managers plenty of room for optimism next season, but it makes Cooper a much more boom-or-bust option at WR moving forward in the 2023 fantasy playoffs.
Should You Trade Cooper?
Are you considering trading Cooper? Our PFN Trade Analyzer allows you to find the best trades to make in seconds! It also allows us to see trending searches, which we’ve compiled a few of the most popular below.
Should You Trade Amari Cooper for Jakobi Meyers?
While I just spent the better part of the previous two paragraphs casting a large cloud of doubt over Cooper’s fantasy outlook over the final eight games of the season, he has still managed to top 89 yards receiving in half of the four games where Watson missed significant time on the field this season.
Las Vegas Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers, meanwhile, hasn’t topped more than two receptions in any game when rookie QB Aidan O’Connell has been the starter. I would not trade Cooper for Meyers in fantasy football.
Should You Trade Cooper for Demario Douglas?
This trade scenario becomes the old ceiling versus floor debate where New England Patriots WR Demario Douglas feels like he has a very reliable fantasy floor in PPR formats in recent weeks with 5+ receptions in three straight games. However, his QB situation isn’t exactly secure at the moment either, with Mac Jones getting benched for Bailey Zappe in Week 10.
While I do like Douglas’ recent usage, Cooper offers a similar target volume floor even without Watson in the lineup but possesses a higher ceiling on a weekly basis. I would not trade Cooper for Douglas.
Should You Trade Cooper for Adam Thielen?
Carolina Panthers WR Adam Thielen has cooled off considerably after going through a six-game stretch with a minimum of 7+ receptions for 54+ yards, but he’s still going to see plenty of work on a bad football team with some stability under center with rookie quarterback Bryce Young.
Cooper may be the better actual wide receiver at the moment, but Thielen gives you similar upside with a more reliable weekly floor. I would trade Cooper for Thielen.
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