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Are Ravens Eyeing Bills Impending Free Agent?
The Baltimore Ravens are looking for another wide receiver, and Bleacher Report believes they could target free agent Amari Cooper.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper will become a free agent following a messy 2024. While his final number (44 receptions, 547 yards, four touchdowns) aren’t all that impressive, it’s worth noting he started the season catching passes from a washed-up Deshaun Watson before injuring his wrist with Josh Allen an the Buffalo Bills. Now entering his age-31 season, Cooper should land another job, but his days of being a 1,000-yard receiver could be in the past.
Because of this, Bleacher Report believes Amari Cooper could sign with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent. Baltimore tried to find a wide receiver at the trade deadline last year, and while that didn’t work out for them, Cooper could be a more natural fit for the projected role.
“Before the 2024 trade deadline, the Baltimore Ravens tried to add a spark to their wide receiver room, acquiring Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers, but the move didn’t work out…Cooper can still win one-on-one matchups and make big plays. In eight games with the Bills, he averaged 14.9 yards per catch.”
Ravens Could Steal Free Agent Amari Cooper From Buffalo Bills
Ironically, Cooper’s relatively slow season with the Bills could be a major selling point for the Ravens. Johnson didn’t work out in Baltimore largely because he wanted more targets than the Ravens were willing to give. After spending the majority of his career as the top option in his offenses respective passing attacks, Cooper played a smaller role in 2024 and handled the change with dignity.
Baltimore already has two good wide receivers in Pro Bowler Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, along with reliable tight ends in Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Cooper could be the perfect complementary player to bring out the best in this offense, but he won’t be a featured player. He could be fine with this arrangement, but if he wants a larger role, he could sign with the following three teams.
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Other Fits
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have three promising young playmakers in tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders and wide receivers Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. While these three could turn into cost-effective, dependable receiver, the jury is still out on whether or not they can last in this league. With Adam Thielen slowing down, the Panthers could use another veteran wide receiver to help add some stability to the depth chart. Amari Cooper is the perfect free agent for the job, as he shouldn’t cost too much and won’t prevent the team from using most of their resources on fixing the defense.
The Los Angeles Rams will trade or release Cooper Kupp, which means they’ll need another wide receiver. Puka Nacua is a star and will remain the top option in this passing attack, but he can’t do it all by himself. Amari Cooper could be the WR2 in this offense, and Stafford’s historical ability to bring out the best in his receivers could lead to a bounceback season for the former first-round pick.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs used the franchise tag on Trey Smith, which effectively limits their ability to spend big on outside free agents. With Smith retained, Kansas City is now $17.6 million over the 2025 salary cap and probably cannot retain DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown. If they lose both players, they could pivot and buy low on Amari Cooper as a free agent. Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice are fine receivers, but they’re both young and could benefit from playing alongside a veteran like Cooper.
Main Photo: Tina MacIntyre – Imagn Images
