Amari Cooper's ability to create “separation” appealed to Bills

The Buffalo Bills' acquisition of Amari Cooper represents a real No. 1 threat to the AFC East leaders.

After the move, Bills officials made it clear that the goal was to get a wideout who could provide separation and make life easier for Josh Allen.

“These qualities are important. The ability to create separation I think just adds to our attacking style. We've done some good things. I think that will be an added bonus for us as we move forward here,” coach Sean McDermott said on the team’s official website on Tuesday.

Buffalo sent a 2025 third-round and 2026 seventh-round draft pick and a 2025 sixth-round draft pick (from Detroit) for Cooper.

Cooper got off to a slow start this season, but ranked third among all wideouts in yards per reception (17.4) and 12th with 47 receptions for 10 yards in 2023.

According to Next Gen Stats, Cooper leads the NFL with 473 air yards on incomplete targets in 2024, highlighting his ability to get open even if his relationship with Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson isn't working well.

Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady emphasized that Cooper's ability to win at the line of scrimmage adds a necessary element to the offense.

“Him and his releases, his ability to create separation,” Brady said. “He’s doing a great job.”

Familiarity with Bills wide receivers coach Adam Henry, who spent two seasons with Cooper in Dallas (2020 and 2021), helped increase comfort with the wide receiver's midseason signing.

Buffalo entered the campaign hoping to fill the gaps left by Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis with a group of receivers. After six weeks, the plan didn't work as hoped. We thank Bills for adapting on the fly to give Allen another goal.

“First and foremost, we believe in the receivers we already have in the room,” McDermott said. “We'll see when Amari gets here and how we can bring him up to speed and integrate him into what we do and how we do things. It's never about one man. We're grateful to have him, but it's never about that. It's just about one man. It’s about the team, so we’re eager to get him here and get started.”

The Bills host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, who have allowed 248.8 total yards and 137.0 passing yards per game, both the fewest in the NFL.