The sun beats down on the practice field, and Matthew Stafford’s arm is still sharp. The ball comes out quick and clean, like a knife cutting through air. The number of men who can catch it consistently is decreasing these days.
Amari Cooper can be one of them. He runs his routes precisely and cleanly, doing the job he’s done a thousand times before. He can do a thousand more if his legs hold up and the pay is right.
The Los Angeles Rams have room for a man like that: someone who knows how to get open, puts in the work, and finishes catches when it matters most.
Why Would the Rams Sign Amari Cooper?
Moe Molton of Bleacher Report predicts the Rams would be wise to pull the trigger on bringing Cooper into the fold.
It makes sense. Davante Adams and Puka Nacua are the precise numbers one and two. They can play in the slot or outside and do different things.
Nacua takes over the Cooper Kupp role of playing out of motion and mixing up looks for the defensive coverage. He has excellent body control, can work seams in the zone, and is physical after the catch.
Meanwhile, Adams is still a top-flight threat who can work in space, take the top off the defense when asked, and make elite plays at the catch point.
The Rams signed Tutu Atwell to a one-year $10 million deal, but he’s still perceived as a valuable gadget player more than a reliable number-three threat. He’s almost a luxury as a WR 3/4.
How Does Cooper Fit the Rams’ Profile?
Cooper fits the profile of the veteran the Rams would go after. He had a down year in 2024 and isn’t considered an “elite” option at age 31. He put up 44 receptions and 547 yards with the Browns and Bills, but he had a catch rate of 56.5% on 92 targets and an elite level of 16.0 yards per catch.
The Rams have gone this route before. They signed Odell Beckham Jr. in 2021, and had he not blown out his knee in the Super Bowl, he was likely on his way to being the game’s MVP.
The Rams have around $20 million in cap space, and Cooper would cost around $6-10 million with incentives.
His route tree aligns with Rams head coach Sean McVay’s offense that rewards precise and savvy receivers. Cooper’s footwork and field awareness are almost a perfect match for an offense trying to squeeze the last ounces of football out of quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Cooper fits the mold of a receiver who could be on a revenge tour and just might want to link up with a team pushing for a Super Bowl appearance.
