Why fantasy players who started Browns' Cooper can celebrate

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) runs for a touchdown after a catch against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Why fantasy players who started Browns WR Amari Cooper have something to celebrate

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 12/24/23

Fantasy football players who started Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper Sunday are probably rejoicing.

In a 36-22 victory against the Houston Texans (8-7), the 29-year-old wideout broke the franchise record for receiving yards in a game — previously held by Josh Gordon — with 265 yards on 11 receptions.

He also had two receiving TDs and finished with 51 fantasy points in PPR leagues, per ESPN Fantasy.

Amari Cooper put your fantasy team on his back

FIFTY-ONE FANTASY POINTS pic.twitter.com/wx4uKxKBZ5
— ESPN Fantasy Sports (@ESPNFantasy) December 24, 2023

"He was pretty special," Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said of the star pass-catcher's performance, via WKRK-FM in Cleveland. "He's one of the best I've ever been around. He's a savant."

The Dallas Cowboys dealt Cooper to Cleveland for a fifth-round draft pick in 2022. Clearly, it was one of the smartest moves the Browns have made in recent memory.

Per Jake Trotter of ESPN, he's the first Browns WR to have two straight seasons with 1,000 receiving yards and joins Pro Hall of Famer Terrell Owens as the only other player to have 200-receiving-yard games with three different franchises.

Amari Cooper:

265-YD game with Browns
226-YD game with Cowboys
210-YD game with Raiders

Joins Terrell Owens as the only players with 200-YD games with 3 different franchises. pic.twitter.com/j1H4RHmaXy
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 24, 2023

Meanwhile, the Browns (10-5) have won three straight games and are closer to securing a playoff berth. The New York Times simulator notes Cleveland has more than a 99% chance to make the postseason. Per Tankathon, the Browns have the league's 20th-most difficult remaining schedule.

It's likely that Cleveland will clinch its third playoff berth since it returned the NFL in 1999, and Cooper will keep having exceptional performances, helping the Browns win more games.

In nine seasons, Cooper has never earned an All-Pro nod. This season, he certainly has a strong case. Cleveland has started four different QBs, but his production hasn't tapered off, which proves he's an elite player.

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