The Buffalo Bills made a significant move by trading for Amari Cooper ahead of the NFL trade deadline, a decision that immediately paid off when he caught a touchdown just days later. While Cooper is expected to play an increasingly important role in the offense as the Bills pursue their fifth straight division title and vie for the AFC’s top seed, his long-term future in Buffalo remains uncertain, as he will be a free agent after this season.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine suggests the Bills should prepare for the possibility of losing Cooper by targeting a promising young wide receiver who is having a career-best season.
Bills Still Need Work on WR Depth
In a recent analysis of team needs across the NFL, Ballentine recommended the Bills consider signing Dyami Brown, a 25-year-old receiver from the Washington Commanders, who will be a free agent after the season. Brown has already set career highs this year with 16 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown.
Ballentine noted, “The Bills have a solid receiving corps, but the work isn’t done yet. If they can’t re-sign Amari Cooper, they’ll need to focus on adding new talent. However, they likely won’t target the high-end of the free-agent market financially.”
While Brown’s production this season isn’t extraordinary, Ballentine believes his potential makes him an intriguing option. A fresh start in Buffalo could help Brown develop further, particularly with Josh Allen as his quarterback.
Room for Amari Cooper to Shine
Though the offseason is still a long way off, the Bills are focused on their Super Bowl aspirations for this year. Ballentine previously suggested that the team needs to expand Cooper’s role in the offense, as he has the potential to emerge as a No. 1 receiver in a spread-out offense. Cooper made important plays in the Bills’ win over the Kansas City Chiefs, but his role remains relatively small, having been targeted only three times in that game.
“Cooper made his presence felt against the Chiefs with two receptions for 55 yards, but he was only targeted three times,” Ballentine pointed out. “Cooper is one of the team’s best downfield threats, and it would be beneficial for the Bills to get him more involved as the season progresses.”
The Bills may use the bye week to adjust their strategy, and with a chance to clinch the AFC East with a win over the San Francisco 49ers on December 1, Cooper’s expanded role could be a key to their success.
Leave a Reply