Who Should I Start? Amari Cooper or DJ Moore

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, September 6, 3:39 PM

Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore opens his eighth NFL season on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. Moore is coming off a down 2024 campaign, averaging 11.1 half-PPR fantasy points per game, ranking 32nd on the year. His efficiency dipped notably, with his yards per target falling from 10.0 to 6.9 and touchdowns dropping from eight to six, as rookie quarterback Caleb Williams went through growing pains. The outlook for 2025 is more promising. With Keenan Allen no longer in Chicago, over 120 vacated targets create an opportunity for Moore to re-establish himself as the clear WR1 in Ben Johnson's new offense. He also draws a dream Week 1 matchup against a Vikings secondary that surrendered the most fantasy points to wide receivers last season. The favorable matchup boosts Moore's floor, but his ceiling still depends on Williams taking a second-year leap. Moore enters Week 1 as a low-end WR2 with upside.