The Arizona Cardinals will likely address the wide receiver position in free agency this offseason. Greg Dortch, Zay Jones and Zach Pascal are all set to hit the open market.
Could the Cardinals go with a productive, longtime veteran?
ESPN’s Matt Bowen matched the top 50 free agents with their ideal team fits. The Cardinals are that ideal fit for Buffalo Bills wideout Amari Cooper.
Cooper is showing signs of decline, and he lost reps to Mack Hollins in the playoffs, but he still has solid route traits. The Cardinals would love a veteran like him alongside Marvin Harrison Jr., while also giving Kyler Murray another target in the route tree. In nine full seasons, Cooper has topped the 1,000-yard-receiving mark seven times and has 64 career touchdown catches.
Cooper is now 30 years old and had his least productive NFL season last year between Cleveland and Buffalo. He had 44 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns.
Comparatively, Michael Wilson had 47 catches for 548 yards and four scores.
So a down year for Cooper essentially matched an okay year for Wilson.
Now, one might say that signing Cooper would be a classic Cardinals move, signing a one-time star when his best days are behind him.
That is a fair criticism.
But he can play both outside and in the slot, something the Cardinals liked about Zay Jones. He has speed and is a great route runner.
And if tight end Trey McBride maintains his pace of being a 100-catch player and Marvin Harrison Jr. progresses into a 1,000-yard player in his second season, Cooper won’t have to be great. He would have the ability to be that but not have to.
Is he at the point in his career where he is okay with being a No. 3 or No. 4 option in an offense?
Depending on the price, Cooper wouldn’t be the worst decision general manager Monti Ossenfort could make.
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