Who Should I Start? Darius Cooper or Malik Benson


Week 7 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
8.6 0.0 0.0 2.8 36.6 0.3

Darius Cooper News

Darius Cooper Has Big Opportunity on Monday Night Football Vs. Cowboys

Saturday, October 24, 1:21 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper is poised for a larger role in a Week 7 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys due to injuries in Philly's wide receiver corps. Starters DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) are both out for Monday's rivalry game against Dallas. Additionally, the Eagles will start quarterback Tanner McKee for the second consecutive week, with Jalen Hurts (blood clots) expected to miss the rest of the 2026 season due to multiple blood clots found in his lungs. Cooper will likely step into a starting role next to rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon, while Elijah Moore, Britain Covey and Hollywood Brown are other options at wideout for the Eagles. Meanwhile tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) is expected to play versus Dallas. Cooper has been a big-play wide receiver for the Eagles on low volume this season. He has only recorded eight receptions (on 15 targets) for 139 yards (17.4 yards per catch), but eight of those catches have gone for a touchdown. Cooper has been impressive with 50% of his targets going for scores, and according to Pro Football Focus, his 5.24 fantasy points per touch (half-PPR) ranks second in the NFL behind only Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (6.42). According to RotoBaller, Cooper has accumulated 41.9 fantasy points in half-PPR scoring formats. However, fantasy managers will need to see higher volume and more consistency before considering putting him in starting lineups. He could certainly see more opportunities with an increased role against a Dallas defense that allows 232.7 yards per game (23rd in the NFL) and, according to Pro Football Reference, 24.4 fantasy points per game to wide receivers (27th in the NFL). However, Cooper's exact role on Monday remains to be seen. Cooper ranks as RotoBaller's No. 87 wide receiver for Week 7. He is currently rostered in just 5% of Yahoo leagues, and there is no need to start him until he proves he can have more consistent production.


Week 7 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.2 0.1 0.0 0.5 6.2 0.0

Malik Benson News

Malik Benson Earning Reps With First-Team Offense

Sunday, August 16, 10:11 AM

Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Malik Benson has earned reps with the first-team offense in training camp, according to head coach Klint Kubiak, per Levi Edwards of the team's official website. "He's earned those reps, but he's got to stay humble and stay hungry," Kubiak said. Benson has looked like the front-runner for the team's WR3 role this summer behind Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor, although Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. could still have something to say about that before the Week 1 regular-season opener rolls around in early September. The 23-year-old was taken in the sixth round in April from the University of Oregon after he caught 43 passes for 719 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games with the Ducks last year. Benson caught two of his four targets for 26 yards on 20 offensive snaps in the team's preseason opener on Thursday against the Arizona Cardinals, also returning a kickoff for 21 yards. For now, Benson is a name to monitor in single-year redraft leagues.


Darius Cooper vs. Malik Benson

Still trying to decide between Cooper and Benson? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Darius Cooper is projected to score 8.6 points this week while Malik Benson is projected to score 1.2 points.