Hey there, football fans! If you’ve ever watched a wide receiver streak down the field like a bolt of lightning, snagging passes that seem impossible, you’ve probably seen Amari Cooper Career Stats in action. Born on June 17, 1994, in Miami, Florida, Amari grew up with that classic South Florida grit—think sunny beaches mixed with the intensity of high school ball at Miami Northwestern. From there, he took the college world by storm at the University of Alabama, where he became a legend before even touching an NFL field. Drafted fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders in 2015, Cooper’s career has been a rollercoaster of trades, triumphs, and touchdown dances. Over 10 seasons with four teams—the Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and Buffalo Bills—he racked up 711 receptions for 10,033 yards and 64 touchdowns. That’s not just numbers; that’s a highlight reel that could fill a Sunday afternoon.
What makes Amari special? It’s his route-running wizardry. Nicknamed “The Route Runner,” he doesn’t just catch balls—he carves out space like an artist painting on turf. Whether it’s a quick slant or a deep post, Cooper’s got that rare blend of speed (a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the Combine) and smarts that leaves defenders guessing. And let’s not forget the Pro Bowls: five in his career, proving he’s not just a flash in the pan. But his path wasn’t always smooth—trades, quarterback carousel rides, and even a surprise retirement announcement in 2025 added some plot twists. In this article, we’ll break it all down in plain English, like we’re chatting over wings at a tailgate. We’ll dive into his early days, year-by-year highlights, a full stats table that’s easy to scan, and what his legacy means for the game. By the end, you’ll see why Amari Cooper isn’t just a stat sheet—he’s a story of resilience and pure talent.
From Miami Streets to Tuscaloosa Glory: Amari’s College Roots
Picture this: a lanky kid from Miami, dodging palm trees and dreaming big. Amari Cooper wasn’t always the polished pro we know. At Miami Northwestern High School, he was already turning heads, earning All-Dade County honors and showing off his hands like a future star. But it was at Alabama where he truly exploded. Joining the Crimson Tide in 2012 as a freshman, Cooper sat behind bigger names at first, but by his sophomore year, he was unstoppable.
In 2013, he hauled in 59 catches for 959 yards and 10 touchdowns, helping Alabama to an SEC Championship. Then came 2014—oh man, that was his masterpiece. With 124 receptions (an SEC record that still stands), 1,727 yards, and 16 scores, Cooper won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver and earned unanimous All-American status. He was the engine in Alabama’s high-powered offense under Nick Saban, catching passes from Blake Sims like it was child’s play. Those college stats? A whopping 198 catches, 2,941 yards, and 28 touchdowns over three seasons. It was no wonder the Raiders snatched him up fourth overall in the 2015 draft, trading up to get their guy. Back then, Oakland was buzzing with potential, and Cooper was the shiny new toy ready to shine.
Transitioning to the pros isn’t easy for anyone, but Amari hit the ground running—literally. His college polish translated immediately, setting the stage for a career that would span coasts and conferences. It’s that foundation of hard work and highlight-reel catches that fans still talk about today.
Rookie Fireworks: Lighting Up Oakland (2015–2016)
Ah, the rookie year. For Amari Cooper, 2015 felt like a dream scripted by Hollywood. Paired with quarterback Derek Carr in a Raiders offense hungry for excitement, he stepped in as the No. 1 receiver right away. In Week 1 against the Titans, he exploded for 9 catches, 172 yards, and a touchdown—setting an NFL rookie record for receiving yards in an opener. By season’s end, Cooper had 72 receptions for 1,070 yards and 6 scores in 16 games. That thousand-yard rookie campaign? Only the 11th wideout in history to do it. He earned Offensive Rookie of the Year buzz and his first Pro Bowl nod, proving he belonged.
The momentum carried into 2016. With more experience, Cooper refined his game, becoming Carr’s go-to on third downs and deep shots. He posted 83 catches for 1,153 yards and 5 touchdowns, hitting 1,000 yards again and snagging his second straight Pro Bowl selection. Highlights? How about that 210-yard, two-touchdown thriller against the Chiefs on Thursday Night Football? Oakland was playoff-bound for the first time in years, and Cooper was the spark. Over those first two seasons, he amassed 155 receptions, 2,223 yards, and 11 touchdowns—numbers that screamed superstar.
But football’s a team sport, and the Raiders’ defense had other ideas. Despite his brilliance, they missed the playoffs in ’16. Still, Amari was building a rep as a precise, explosive playmaker. Little did he know, bigger stages—and bigger trades—were on the horizon.
The Trade That Changed Everything: Dallas and Beyond (2017–2021)
If early career highs are the appetizer, 2017 was the awkward family dinner nobody talks about. Injuries nagged Cooper—a foot issue sidelined him for four games—and the Raiders’ offense sputtered under Derek Carr’s inconsistencies. He finished with 68 catches for 680 yards and 7 touchdowns in just 12 games. It was his first sub-1,000-yard season, and whispers started: Was the phenom fading? Nah, it was just a blip. The real turning point came midway through 2018.
Traded to the Dallas Cowboys on October 22 for a first-round pick, Cooper landed in America’s Team like a cowboy riding into town. Suddenly, he had Dak Prescott slinging it in a run-heavy attack with Ezekiel Elliott. His debut? A modest 10 catches for 133 yards. But Week 10 against Washington? Boom—10 for 217 yards and a score. He finished the year with 53 catches for 725 yards and 6 TDs in just 10 games with Dallas, but those 725 yards led the NFL post-trade. Pro Bowl No. 3 locked in.
From there, it was golden in Big D. In 2019, Cooper exploded for 83 receptions, 1,189 yards, and 8 touchdowns, helping the Cowboys to an 8-8 record. He was the steady hand Prescott needed, with clutch catches in primetime games. 2020 brought COVID hiccups and a pinky injury, but he still managed 66 catches for 825 yards and 3 scores in 14 games—solid, if not spectacular. Then 2021: A career-high 8 touchdowns on 68 grabs for 865 yards in 15 games. Dallas made the playoffs, and Cooper’s 6-catch, 64-yard, 1-TD Wild Card performance against San Francisco showed his big-moment grit.
Over four seasons in Dallas (parts of ’18–’21), he totaled 270 receptions, 3,734 yards, and 25 touchdowns. The trade wasn’t just a fresh start; it was a rebirth. Cooper thrived in Dallas’s scheme, becoming a top-20 receiver and fan favorite. But as his contract loomed, changes brewed—leading to another shake-up in 2022.
Cleveland and Buffalo: Late-Career Peaks and Twists (2022–2024)
Traded to the Cleveland Browns in March 2022 for a fifth-round pick, Cooper joined a team banking on Deshaun Watson’s return. The fit? Electric. In a run-first offense with Nick Chubb pounding the rock, Cooper stretched the field. He kicked off with 8 catches for 113 yards and 2 TDs in Week 11 against Buffalo. By season’s end: 78 receptions, 1,160 yards, and a personal-best 9 touchdowns in 17 games. That yards-per-catch average of 14.9? Chef’s kiss. Cleveland went 7-10, but Cooper was a bright spot, earning his fourth Pro Bowl.
2023 was his masterpiece in Cleveland. With Watson sidelined and Joe Flacco stepping in late, Cooper erupted. He missed time with a groin injury but returned to post 1,250 yards—his career high—on 72 catches with 5 TDs in 15 games. Those final three weeks? 451 yards and 3 scores, including a 265-yard monster against the Jets. His 17.4 yards per catch led the league among qualifiers. Pro Bowl No. 5. In the playoffs, he added 59 yards in a loss to Houston.
Then came 2024—a year of movement. Starting in Cleveland, Cooper notched 20 catches for 243 yards and 1 TD in six games before a Week 7 trade to the Buffalo Bills. There, with Josh Allen’s cannon arm, he added 24 receptions for 304 yards and 3 TDs in eight games (four starts). Total for the year: 44 catches, 547 yards, and 4 touchdowns in 14 games. Solid, but heel injuries and a crowded receiver room limited his shine. Buffalo made a deep playoff push, but Cooper’s role was rotational.
Across Cleveland and Buffalo (2022–24), he piled up 214 receptions, 2,957 yards, and 18 touchdowns. Late-career Cooper showed evolution—from deep threat to red-zone menace—proving adaptability at its finest.
The Full Picture: Amari Cooper Career Stats Table
To really appreciate Amari’s journey, nothing beats a clear snapshot. Below is a full table of his regular-season receiving stats, year by year. I’ve kept it simple: games played (GP), receptions (REC), yards (YDS), average per catch (AVG), longest reception (LG), and touchdowns (TD). Totals at the bottom. These numbers don’t include playoffs (where he added 27 catches for 318 yards and 2 TDs across six games), but they tell the story of consistency amid chaos.
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | LG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | OAK | 16 | 72 | 1070 | 14.9 | 73 | 6 |
| 2016 | OAK | 16 | 83 | 1153 | 13.9 | 54 | 5 |
| 2017 | OAK | 12 | 68 | 680 | 10.0 | 43 | 7 |
| 2018 | OAK/DAL | 16 | 80 | 1002 | 12.5 | 54 | 7 |
| 2019 | DAL | 16 | 83 | 1189 | 14.3 | 54 | 8 |
| 2020 | DAL | 14 | 66 | 825 | 12.5 | 50 | 3 |
| 2021 | DAL | 15 | 68 | 865 | 12.7 | 46 | 8 |
| 2022 | CLE | 17 | 78 | 1160 | 14.9 | 75 | 9 |
| 2023 | CLE | 15 | 72 | 1250 | 17.4 | 70 | 5 |
| 2024 | CLE/BUF | 14 | 44 | 547 | 12.4 | 39 | 4 |
| Career Totals | 4 Teams | 151 | 711 | 10033 | 14.1 | 75 | 64 |
Look at those 1,000-yard seasons—seven of ’em in 10 years! Only 17 players in NFL history have done that in their first decade. His career 14.1 yards per catch shows efficiency, and 64 TDs? That’s red-zone royalty. Easy to see why he’s a fantasy football darling and a coach’s dream.
Breaking Down the Numbers: What the Stats Really Mean
Stats aren’t just digits—they’re stories. Let’s unpack Amari’s ledger like we’re breaking down film. First, volume: 711 catches over 151 games averages about 47 receptions per 16-game season. Not Tyreek Hill gaudy, but steady—especially with three teams and multiple QBs (Carr, Prescott, Watson, Flacco, Allen). His yards? Over 10,000, putting him in elite company. That 2023 outburst (1,250 yards) was his peak, boosted by Flacco’s gunslinger vibe, but even in “down” years like 2017, he scored 7 TDs.
Touchdowns are where Cooper cooks: 64 total, with a high of 9 in 2022. He’s got that knack for the end zone, whether boxing out corners or outjumping safeties. Yards per catch dipping to 10.0 in ’17? Blame the scheme and injuries, not talent— he rebounded with 12.5+ averages most years. And longevity? At 31, he was still Pro Bowl-caliber in 2023, showing the game’s evolution favors route-savvy vets like him.
Compare him to peers: More yards than Larry Fitzgerald at the same career point, similar TD rate to Antonio Brown early on. Against the odds—trades mid-season, QB instability—his 66 Approximate Value score (per Pro Football Reference) ranks him solidly among 2010s draftees. In a pass-happy NFL, Cooper’s stats scream “underrated legend.”
Awards, Accolades, and the Hall of Fame Whisper
Amari’s trophy case isn’t empty. Beyond those five Pro Bowls (2015, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2023), he was a 2015 All-Rookie and finished top-5 in receiving yards twice. No Super Bowl ring stings, but his 2015 Biletnikoff lingers from college. Peers ranked him 53rd on the NFL Top 100 in 2017, and he’s got that rare four-team impact.
Hall of Fame? It’s early, but 10,000+ yards and 60+ TDs check boxes. If he’d stayed put longer, maybe All-Pro nods. Still, his influence—mentoring young receivers, that impeccable footwork—ripples. Fun fact: He’s one of few to hit 1,000 yards as a rookie and in his 30s.
The 2025 Curveball: Retirement and Legacy
Fast-forward to late August 2025. After a free-agent stint, Cooper signed with the Raiders—full circle, back to Oakland (now Las Vegas). Fans dreamed of nostalgia. But on September 4, just before Week 1, he dropped a bomb: retirement. Citing challenges ramping up after months unsigned, the 31-year-old chose family, peace, and reflection over another grind. It was abrupt, like a defender stripping the ball mid-stride. No farewell tour, just gratitude.
His legacy? A masterclass in adaptability. From Raiders rookie to Cowboys savior, Browns’ deep threat, Bills’ wildcard—Cooper navigated trades like a pro. Off-field, he’s quiet: family man, investor, occasional podcaster. No scandals, just class. For kids dreaming of the league, he’s proof: Talent + work ethic = doors opening, even if they swing wildly.
Wrapping It Up: Why Amari Cooper Career Stats Still Inspire
Amari Cooper Career Stats aren’t perfect—no one’s are. But 10,033 yards, 711 grabs, 64 scores? That’s a testament to precision over power, smarts over sizzle. In an era of highlight-chasing WRs, he was the surgeon—clean cuts, big gains. Whether you’re a die-hard Raiders fan reminiscing ’15 or a Bills supporter savoring those Allen dimes, Cooper’s table tells a tale of triumph.
