Who Should I Start? Amari Cooper or Darnell Mooney

Thursday, September 4, 2:14 PM

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper has informed the team that he intends to retire ahead of Week 1, citing a lack of desire to continue playing. Cooper, who joined the Raiders this offseason in hopes of competing for a starting role, was listed behind rookie Dont'e Thornton Jr. on the initial depth chart. The five-time Pro Bowler spent last season with the Browns and Bills, starting 10 of 14 games while recording 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns. Cooper leaves the NFL after a decorated career, finishing with over 10,000 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns across stops with the Raiders, Cowboys, Browns, and Bills. His departure opens additional opportunities for Thornton and fellow rookie Jack Bech to carve out meaningful roles in the Raiders' passing game this season.

Saturday, December 6, 10:31 AM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney underwhelmed last week with his opportunity to produce while the team's top receiver, Drake London (knee), was out with an injury, catching just two of his five targets for 25 scoreless yards. It would be misguided to expect the same production as London out of Mooney, though, as the latter is more of a downfield threat and is five inches shorter, which tends to limit his effectiveness in the red zone. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old will have another opportunity to produce in Week 14 at home against the Seahawks, with London once again ruled out. Seattle has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers for the season and is yielding just 152.7 yards per game through the air over their last three games. Combined with Kirk Cousins' propensity to spread the ball around, Mooney sets up as a low-end WR3 in Week 14.