Pharoh

Cooper

Cooper was one of eight wideouts released by the Jaguars today, alongside Phillip Dorsett and Collin Johnson. He was a first-team All-Pro special-teamer in 2017 for the Rams. Jacksonville will turn elsewhere for their return jobs.

Cooper, 26, spent the 2020 season with the Panthers where he again played primarily on special teams. He tallied a career-low five receptions for 73 yards on offense but returned 18 kickoffs for 430 yards and 20 punts for 117 yards. A former All-Pro and Pro Bowl nominee with the Rams, Cooper will be deployed as such with Urban Meyer and Jacksonville in 2021.

Cooper earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2017 as a returner with the Rams before getting his most work yet as a receiver with the Cardinals in 2019. Overall, Cooper caught 25-of-33 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown as a backup WR in the Cardinals’ four-WR heavy offense. He’ll likely work as the Panthers’ No. 4 WR behind D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel and probably Seth Roberts.

Cooper also had a punt return touchdown nullified by penalty. He’s regularly split snaps with Andy Isabella while working behind each of Christian Kirk, Larry Fitzgerald and Damiere Byrd. It’s unlikely Cooper enters 2020 with a much larger role on offense.

Cooper hasn’t surpassed 35 receiving yards in a game this season. He’s not on the fantasy radar ahead of the Cardinals’ Week 16 matchup against the Seahawks.

Cooper was the leading receiver for Arizona, which is a reflection of the poor passing game from Kyler Murray not a reflection of Cooper balling out. Christian Kirk should return soon, so Cooper remains off the fantasy radar.

This will be Cooper’s second 2019 tour of duty with the Cardinals. It’s an indication they are unsure of Christian Kirk’s (ankle) Week 5 availability.

Cooper wasn’t able to make any noise in coach Zac Taylor’s scheme during the two weeks he spent with the club. The former All-Pro and Pro Bowl special teamer should get another chance elsewhere.

Unable to land as depth in the Cardinals’ stacked receiver room, the former All-Pro and Pro Bowl special teams standout provides an experienced body who’s familiar with coach Zac Taylor’s scheme stemming for their two years together with the Rams. The team also claimed RB Samaje Perine off waivers from the Redskins as their fourth back behind Joe Mixon, Giovani Bernard, and Trayveon Williams.

A former All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection as a standout kick returner in ’17, Cooper’s now been waived by both the Rams and Cardinals in the past two seasons. Arizona’s receiver room is quickly rounding into shape, with ex-Panthers burner Damiere Byrd likely making the cut among those on Arizona’s bubble.