The Cleveland Browns’ trade of Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills for a third-round pick ahead of the deadline is proving to be a timely and advantageous decision. Despite his reputation as a dynamic offensive weapon, Cooper’s performance since joining Buffalo has yet to meet expectations.
After a solid debut, Cooper’s production dipped in his second game, and he was sidelined in the third matchup with a wrist injury, limiting his ability to contribute meaningfully to Buffalo’s offense.
To date, Cooper has logged only two games with five receptions on seven targets for 69 yards and a single touchdown, even inadvertently contributing to Josh Allen’s first interception of the season against the Seattle Seahawks.
For Cleveland, the timing of this deal shines in comparison to other wide receiver trades around the deadline. The Browns’ third-round compensation for Cooper outpaces returns from similar transactions involving other veteran receivers, like Mike Williams, Diontae Johnson, and DeAndre Hopkins, all of whom were traded for fifth-round picks.
Only Davante Adams dealt to the New York Jets for a conditional third-rounder, matched Cooper’s trade value.
While Cooper’s arrival was intended to bolster the Bills’ receiving corps, his limited contributions highlight Cleveland’s early decision as especially shrewd. Moving quickly allowed the Browns to capitalize on Cooper’s remaining value, securing a substantial draft pick while offloading a player who struggled to perform in Cleveland’s system with Deshaun Watson. By setting a strong market for Cooper before demand shifted, Cleveland maximized its return before the late-season rush saw veteran receivers valued at lower rounds. This isn’t to say that Cooper won’t find success in Buffalo, but since the trade, he hasn’t found much.
As the Browns head into the second half of the season, they’re armed with additional draft capital, positioning themselves well for future roster building.
In a year where trades for veteran receivers saw varying levels of return, Cleveland appears to have navigated the market effectively, securing valuable assets while parting with a player who has yet to make a consistent impact for Buffalo.
