The Buffalo Bills wide receiver room has not met expectations, and head coach Sean McDermott hinted that the team could trade for a big-name playmaker like Amari Cooper or Davante Adams. After losing Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis to the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively, Buffalo had to rebuild their pass-catching weapons overnight. With Khalil Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid set to lead the team, the Bills brought in a complementary depth option in Curtis Samuel and used a second-round pick on Keon Coleman.
Shakir has played well and Coleman’s had a few flashes, but the rest of the unit has not met expectations. Curtis Samuel has recorded just nine receptions for 48 yards through five games, while Kincaid has just 15 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown. With the team now at 3-2, McDermott admitted he was concerned about the receiver room, and that the team could add talent in the coming days. Based on the names likely to be available, Amari Cooper probably makes the most sense in a trade. Of course, they aren’t the only teams interested in the wide receiver, as Kansas City and Baltimore could make a play for the wideout.
Sean McDermott Hints At Amari Cooper Trade, Could Outbid Chiefs, Ravens
Davante Adams is the prize jewel on the wide receiver trade market, but Amari Cooper is not a bad consolation prize. A first-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Cooper has just 20 receptions for 208 yards through the first five games of the season. However, the blame for this underwhelming production rests with Deshaun Watson, as Cleveland’s controversial quarterback has been nothing short of terrible this year. According to ESPN’s Mike Clay, a staggering 45% of Cooper’s targets have been deemed uncatchable, the highest off-target rate in at least a decade. Cooper would do better with literally any other quarterback, but Josh Allen and his elite arm should have him looking like his old self.
An absurd 45% of passes directed at Amari Cooper have qualified as "off target" this season.
We haven't seen an off-target rate that high for a player with 40+ targets since at least prior to 2011.
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) October 8, 2024
The Buffalo Bills probably want to trade for Amari Cooper, but they won’t be alone. Several contenders could use another set of hands, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens among the most likely bidders.
Other Landing Spots
The Kansas City Chiefs are monitoring the wide receiver trade market and should lock in on Amari Cooper. Seeing as the Las Vegas Raiders would never want to give Davante Adams to their most hated division rival, Cooper is probably the best receiver they can get without sending away a king’s ransom. The Chiefs are 5-0, but Patrick Mahomes isn’t playing up to his usual ridiculous standards. Through five games, the quarterback ranks 13th in EPA/play, 11th in PFF grade, and 16th in ESPN’s QBR. With Rashee Rice injured and Marquise Brown also done for the season, the Chiefs must find someone who can help Mahomes reach his elite ceiling.
The Ravens are in the discussion for the best team in football. Now 3-2 after a disastrous 0-2 start, Lamar Jackson and company have perhaps the league’s most dangerous rushing attack. However, if they want to improve their aerial attack, they’ll try and trade for Amari Cooper. Zay Flowers is the only consistent receiver on the roster, and they’ll need more weapons to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. However, getting Amari Cooper won’t be easy, as the Browns won’t want to trade with a division rival. While he’s a great fit for the offense, they might have to settle for someone like Diontae Johnson.
Main Photo: Peter Casey – USA Today Sports
