Riley Cooper

Somehow Cooper went from a marginal fourth-year receiver caught on tape using a racial slur and in danger of being cut to an established starter in one of the best offenses in the league, and as a result he signed a five-year $22.5 million deal in February with $10 million guaranteed. Cooper’s unlikely ascent was due in part to a lack of depth after injuries struck the receiving corps, but he also acquitted himself well on the field with 9.9 YPT (6th among the league’s 56 80-target WR), 17.8 YPC (2nd) and six catches of 40 yards or more (T. 6th). Put differently, Cooper had more catches of 40-plus yards than Calvin Johnson or Dez Bryant on roughly half the targets. At 6-4, 230 and with 4.53 speed, Cooper meets the size/speed threshold for the typical No. 1 wideout. While he saw only 11 red-zone targets last year, his involvement in that area could pick up now that he’s a more established target for Nick Foles. That said, Jeremy Maclin will take the departed DeSean Jackson’s targets, second-year tight end Zach Ertz should see a bigger role in the offense and this year’s second round pick, Jordan Matthews could also make an impact.

Cooper would have likely served as Philadelphia's fourth receiver in 2013, but a season-ending ACL tear to Jeremy Maclin in July gave Cooper a chance to earn a starting role. Big and fast, Cooper could have some deep league appeal if he establishes himself as the team's top red-zone target at receiver.

While Jason Avant is the team’s No. 3 receiver, Cooper’s the team’s reserve wideout with big-play skills. At 6-3, 215, and with good speed for his size, Cooper averaged 19.7 YPC and 9.0 YPT last year on 35 targets. Cooper runs decent routes and isn’t afraid to take contact over the middle, but he was inconsistent last year, dropping four passes despite limited action. Cooper is by no means assured a role in the offense – or even a roster spot – but in the Eagles pass-heavy system that stars two slightly built speedsters in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, Cooper has some upside if things break his way.

Cooper has the size and athleticism to make an impact some day in the Philadelphia offense, but Jason Avant and Steven Smith (when healthy) are a significant obstacles in the meantime. It's doubtful that he's worth drafting in any redraft leagues.

Cooper has upside and should make the team as long as he can beat out inferior Hank Baskett for the team's No. 5 receiver role.