Fantasy Football Player Notes

Cooper didn't show any signs of slowing down last year. Last year, he finished as the WR17 in fantasy points per game while ranking 23rd in target share (22.1%), 13th in air-yard share (39%), and 12th in YPRR. Watson, looking like a hollowed-out version of his former self, didn't stop Cooper either, as he averaged 96 receiving yards per game with 2.96 YPRR and 0.123 FD/RR. Cooper faces a secondary that allowed the 11th-fewest receiving yards and the ninth-lowest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers last year. Those numbers don't instill a lot of confidence, but with DaRon Bland out for a while, Cooper will face Trevon Diggs (recovering from a torn ACL) and rookie Caelen Carson for most of the game. The corner matchup isn't the limiting factor here. It's the quarterback play of Watson. The hope is that Cooper remains quarterback-proof in 2024.

After Week 7 last year, Shakir logged nine games in which he played at least 50% of the snaps. In those contests, he posted a strong 2.18 yards per route run with 0.085 first downs per route run, but he only managed to cultivate an 11% target share and 12% air-yard share. In that stretch among 84 qualifying receivers, he was 42nd in fantasy points per game. Last year, Arizona utilized two high at the second-highest rate (64.9%). In Weeks 8-18 last year, against two-high, Shakir saw similar production, with his target share only bumping to 11.8% and his YPRR sitting at 2.11. The matchup is in his favor against a pass defense that allowed the ninth-highest PPR points per target to slot wide receivers. Shakir will match up with Garrett Williams (72.4% catch rate and 85.7 passer rating) for most of the day. The floor isn't great for Shakir in Week 1, but he has some upside to consider as a flex play.

Samuel has been practicing on a limited basis. Currently, he is likely to suit up for Week 1. The last time he was in a Joe Brady offense, he finished as the WR27 in fantasy points per game. Last year, sadly, he was the WR48 in fantasy points per game with a 14.7% target share and 1.60 YPRR. I wouldn't be shocked if Samuel was utilized more on the perimeter this season, considering his performance out wide over the last two seasons. Last year, from the perimeter, among 109 qualifying receivers, he ranked 30th in yards per route run (2.12). The year prior, he posted a 1.84 yards per route run mark from the outside. Last year, Arizona utilized two high at the second-highest rate (64.9%). Against two high last year, Samuel had a 22% TPRR, 1.62 YPRR, and 0.062 FD/RR. These numbers are not amazing, but his overall profile last year was depressed by the struggling quarterback play of Sam Howell. Samuel is a solid flex for Week 1.