NFL Trade Rumors: Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver Amari Cooper Expected to Debut in Week 7

The Buffalo Bills won't wait long to show off their shiny new toy. According to Fox Sports' Jordan Schulz, newly acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper will debut for the Bills on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

Sources: #Bills WR Amari Cooper is expected to play Sunday vs the #Titans.

HC Sean McDermott previously said no decision had been made, but I’m told Cooper plans to make his Buffalo debut at home — in front of Bills’ Mafia. https://t.co/IRG8Mdxl3u pic.twitter.com/jocIg8P0QQ
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 18, 2024

The Bills traded a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Cooper and a 2025 fifth-round pick earlier this week. Cooper has practiced in full so far, but head coach Sean McDermott has previously declined to mention whether or not Cooper would be deemed ready to go for Week 7.

Cooper has been ineffective through six games this season, averaging a miserable 4.7 yards per target over his 41.7 receiving yards per game. A lot of that can be attributed to the overall struggles of the Browns offense under quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Browns are dead last in net yards per passing attempt (3.7), third down conversion rate (19.2%), and yards per game (240.2).

Cooper is still only 30 years old, so it's unlikely he's completely past his prime. Even with the Browns splitting starts across five quarterbacks, 2023 was a career season. Cooper set a personal best with 83.3 receiving yards per game, and his 9.8 yards per target were his best since 2019.

Cooper's arrival comes at a great time for the Bills. Their offense has yet to find its groove after trading long-time leading receiver Stefon Diggs over the offseason. They ranked sixth or better in points scored in all four of Diggs' seasons with the team, and his absence has been noticeable. Quarterback Josh Allen's 193.3 passing yards per game have been his fewest since 2019, and the Bills' 309.7 yards per game currently rank 21st in the league.

Once he's up to speed, Cooper should lift the Bills offense nearer to the heights it's been accustomed to. If he can eventually provide a facsimile to what Diggs once brought to the table, the Bills will be a Super Bowl contender yet again.