Amari Cooper Bio
Amari Cooper is an American former professional football wide receiver who played 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver and earning unanimous All-American honors in 2014. Cooper was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2015 NFL draft.
Across his NFL career, Amari Cooper suited up for the Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and Las Vegas Raiders. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and became known for reliable route running and consistent 1,000-yard seasons.
Early Life and Background
Amari Cooper was born on June 17, 1994, in Miami, Florida. He grew up in the northwest Miami area and attended Miami Northwestern Senior High School, where he developed into one of the most sought-after high school receivers in the country. As a child, Cooper was captivated by chess, a hobby he later connected to his approach on the football field.
As a junior at Miami Northwestern, Cooper missed part of the season with an injury but still served as one of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s primary targets. He then impressed at Alabama’s summer camp, which led to an offer from head coach Nick Saban. During his senior season, Cooper recorded 33 receptions for 722 yards and six touchdowns, earning first-team FHSAA 8A All-State honors and a spot in the 2012 Under Armour All-America Game.
Cooper also starred in basketball and track at Miami Northwestern, showcasing his overall athletic ability. He was a consensus four-star recruit, ranked among the top wide receivers nationally by Rivals.com, 247Sports.com, Scout.com, and ESPNU. On September 22, 2011, Cooper announced his verbal commitment to the University of Alabama, choosing the Crimson Tide over Florida State, Miami, and Ohio State.
Path to Professional Football
Cooper arrived at Alabama as a highly regarded recruit and immediately contributed as a freshman. He led the team with 59 receptions for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, breaking a 62-year-old school touchdown record. Cooper earned consensus Freshman All-American honors and was named to the SEC All-Freshman team.
As a junior in 2014, Cooper set numerous Alabama single-season and career records, finishing with 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns. He became Alabama’s all-time leader in receptions (228), receiving yards (3,463), and receiving touchdowns (31), and he led the NCAA in receptions that season. Cooper won the Biletnikoff Award, was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting before entering the 2015 NFL draft.
Amari Cooper Career
Early Career: Oakland Raiders (2015-2018)
The Oakland Raiders selected Amari Cooper with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. After beginning the season in jersey number 19, he switched to number 89 following the release of James Jones. Cooper made an immediate impact, finishing his rookie year with 72 receptions for 1,070 yards and six touchdowns, becoming the first Raiders rookie to reach the 1,000-yard mark.
Cooper earned a spot on the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team and was selected to his first Pro Bowl as an alternate. He followed with a strong second season in 2016, recording 83 receptions for 1,153 yards and five touchdowns, earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod. After a 2017 season shortened by an ankle injury, Cooper struggled early in 2018 and was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in October of that year.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2018-2021)
Cooper joined the Cowboys in October 2018 and immediately revitalized his career, recording 75 receptions for 1,005 yards and seven touchdowns across 15 games with both teams. He earned a 217-yard performance against the Philadelphia Eagles and was voted to his third Pro Bowl as an injury replacement. Cooper signed a five-year, $100 million contract extension in March 2020 and continued to produce at a high level.
Across his Cowboys tenure, Cooper posted consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020 and finished 2021 with 68 receptions for 865 yards and a career-high-tying eight touchdowns. He was a reliable target through multiple quarterback changes and served as one of the team’s offensive leaders.
Cleveland Browns Era (2022-2024)
On March 16, 2022, Amari Cooper was traded to the Cleveland Browns, where he quickly became a focal point of the passing attack. He recorded 78 receptions for 1,160 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns in 2022, then followed with 72 receptions for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns in 2023. Cooper became the first Browns receiver to record consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in franchise history.
His 265-yard performance against the Houston Texans on December 24, 2023, broke the Browns’ single-game receiving record and earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Cooper was named to his fifth Pro Bowl following the 2023 season. Midway through the 2024 season, he was traded to the Buffalo Bills after recording 24 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns in six games with Cleveland.
Buffalo Bills and Final Season (2024-2025)
Cooper debuted for the Bills in Week 7 of the 2024 season, catching four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans. He finished the year with 44 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns, missing time with a wrist injury but contributing in the playoff push.
On August 25, 2025, Cooper signed a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting with the franchise that drafted him. Less than two weeks later, on September 4, 2025, Cooper announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 professional seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cooper’s career featured several standout moments, including a franchise-rookie-record 1,000-yard season in 2015, a 217-yard overtime win over the Eagles in 2018, and a record-breaking 265-yard performance for the Browns in 2023. He became only the second player in NFL history to record a 200-yard game for three different teams, joining Terrell Owens on that list.
Amari Cooper Career Wins and Honors
Across 10 NFL seasons, Amari Cooper earned five Pro Bowl selections (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023) and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2015. He recorded six 1,000-yard receiving seasons and consistently ranked among the league’s most productive wide receivers.
Major Honors and Accolades
Cooper won the Biletnikoff Award and Paul Warfield Trophy in 2014, was a unanimous All-American, and was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year. He was also a BCS national champion with Alabama in 2012 and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 2014.
Amari Cooper Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Amari Cooper grew up in northwest Miami, Florida, where he first learned to play chess as an elementary school student. He has credited the game with sharpening his strategic thinking and decision-making on the football field. Cooper participated in Chess.com’s BlitzChamps tournament for NFL players, finishing second behind Chidobe Awuzie.
2025 Season Outlook
Cooper’s 2025 began with a one-year, $3.5 million contract signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on August 25, 2025. The move reunited him with the organization that selected him fourth overall in the 2015 draft and was viewed as a fitting closing chapter for a 10-year veteran.
On September 4, 2025, Cooper announced his retirement from the NFL, bringing his professional career to a close after a decade in the league. His legacy includes five Pro Bowl appearances, six 1,000-yard seasons, and a reputation as one of the most consistent receivers of his era.