Who Should I Start? Amari Cooper or David Montgomery

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.

Monday, September 15, 11:17 PM

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in his team's 52-21 Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears. Since joining the Lions, Montgomery has been one of the NFL's most consistent red-zone backs. The 28-year-old has not gone consecutive games within a season without scoring a touchdown since December 2023. On a less positive note for fantasy managers, Montgomery appears set for a secondary role behind Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit this season. Although Gibbs only earned one more carry than Montgomery in Week 2, Montgomery was on the field for 10 fewer snaps. The veteran has also recorded seven fewer touches than his backfield mate through the first two games of the season. Montgomery remains a consistent flex option in fantasy, but he'll likely be reliant on finding the end zone again to produce in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens.