Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Amari Cooper vs Deebo Samuel Sr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.2 PPG to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy play this season.

Amari Cooper is the better play on a neutral week. 11.2 PPG with 782 yards gives a reliable baseline. Deebo Samuel Sr. at 9.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Amari Cooper higher, but do not fade Deebo Samuel Sr. entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRBuffalo Bills#99PPG LEADER

Amari Cooper

PPG

11.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

782

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

WRWashington Commanders#36

Deebo Samuel Sr.

PPG

9.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

727

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Amari Cooper

Deebo Samuel Sr.

Head to Head

11.2 PPG9.5 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Amari Cooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Deebo Samuel Sr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #36 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Amari Cooper is producing at 51% of elite pace and Deebo Samuel Sr. at 43%. That ranking gap means Deebo Samuel Sr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Amari Cooper vs Deebo Samuel Sr.: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Amari Cooper and Deebo Samuel Sr. for your lineup, you are not alone. Amari Cooper finished the 2025 season at 11.2 PPG for the Buffalo Bills (16 games), and Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 for the Washington Commanders (16 games).

That 1.7-point weekly advantage for Amari Cooper is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Amari Cooper turned 95 targets into 782 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Deebo Samuel Sr. converted 99 looks into 727 yards and 5 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Amari Cooper sits Week 12 while Deebo Samuel Sr. is off Week 7. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Amari Cooper (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Deebo Samuel Sr. (age 30) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Amari Cooper outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Deebo Samuel Sr. scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Deebo Samuel Sr. saw 99 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Amari Cooper vs Deebo Samuel Sr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Amari Cooper	Deebo Samuel Sr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.2	9.5
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	179	152
Receptions	65	72
Rec/Game	4.1	4.5
Receiving Yards	782	727
Rec Yds/Game	48.9	45.4
Receiving TDs	4	5
Targets	95	99
Target Share/Game	5.9	6.2
Age	-	30
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Amari Cooper at 11.2 PPG, 1.7 points per game above Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Amari Cooper or Deebo Samuel Sr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Amari Cooper has the edge at 11.2 PPG compared to Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 9.5 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Amari Cooper and Deebo Samuel Sr. average in 2025?▾

Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Deebo Samuel Sr. averaged 9.5 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

When are Amari Cooper and Deebo Samuel Sr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper (BUF) has a bye in Week 12, and Deebo Samuel Sr. (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Amari Cooper or Deebo Samuel Sr. a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper outscored Deebo Samuel Sr. by 1.7 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.