The Los Angeles Chargers are losing wide receiver Mike Williams to an injury for the time being, as training camp will begin this week. According to the breaking news, the Chargers will need to start their mandatory workouts without the veteran after the expectation that he would compete for a starting role alongside Quentin Johnston and 2024 draft pick Ladd McConkey. The team also drafted Tre Harris, who is holding out for a rookie deal, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, but they probably won’t be ready for full-time duties, so the Chargers are lacking depth at the receiver position.
After failing to get DK Metcalf in a trade this offseason, the Chargers shouldn’t give up on at least investing the enormous amount of money that they have. Perhaps, they might be better off signing a top veteran wideout like former Buffalo Bill, Amari Cooper, who is still surprisingly available in the market. Originally selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the former Alabama product began his career with the Las Vegas Raiders before having a stellar career in Dallas. Cooper hasn’t been able to return to his five-time Pro Bowl form like he’s been for both Cleveland and Dallas, but he’s better than what the Chargers have in their receiving corps and could boost Justin Herbert’s offense ferociously.
Of course, the Chargers won’t be the only team that might target Cooper, so here are four other rosters that could keep tabs on the top available wideout.
Breaking: Chargers Could Target Top Free Agent Amari Cooper After Mike Williams Injury
Other Potential Destinations
Dallas Cowboys
This would complete the true big three among the other wideouts like George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. Quarterback Dak Prescott finds himself on the hot seat this upcoming season with a new head coach and Joe Milton, who looks like a real difference-maker as the next signal-caller. Even though the Cowboys have enough weapons to make noise on the field, it wouldn’t hurt to sign Cooper.
New Orleans Saints
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints need all of the weapons if they want either Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler to shine. Despite having Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed as two reliable weapons, Cooper could add some veteran experience as another true veteran alongside Brandin Cooks, since Mickey Loomis refuses to rebuild. Cooper might be past his prime and won’t win a ring with the Saints, but he could find his shine again and pick up where he left off in Cleveland.
Baltimore Ravens
However, the Baltimore Ravens don’t need another receiver, but since DeAndre Hopkins will probably just stick around for one season, the team is better off adding Cooper as their next deep threat. He won’t take snaps away from Zay Flowers or Rashod Bateman, but it might recalibrate the outlook of this offense for Lamar Jackson. Bateman could continue his duties as a true WR3 in the slot while Flowers and Cooper contain the deep threat.
Washington Commanders
Cooper wouldn’t be the first Cowboy to head to the Commanders. Since Deebo Samuel has been looking slow at practice, and Terry McLaurin is still in a contract standoff, Cooper could be a safe option as a consistent weapon to help Luke McCaffrey and Michael Gallup. The Commanders might look like a complete team if they sign Cooper to a one-year deal at a minimum.
