With questions still lingering at wide receiver after the draft, Philadelphia Eagles could turn to a familiar NFC East face to bolster its offense.
NFL teams are looking to fill roster needs before the 2025 season begins, and for the Philadelphia Eagles, the search continues at the wide receiver position. Despite a strong 2025 NFL Draft haul, the Eagles still have a glaring weakness at WR3 behind Pro Bowlers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Jahan Dotson was expected to step into that role after being acquired from Washington last offseason, but an underwhelming year led to Philadelphia declining his fifth-year option. While the Eagles added Terrace Marshall Jr. in free agency and selected both Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith, none of the trio has secured the third receiver job.
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra recently floated the idea of Philadelphia as a top landing spot for veteran free agent wideout Amari Cooper. Patra wrote that Eagles GM Howie Roseman “deserves the ‘Dynasty Patriots Treatment,’ wherein every available free agent or trade target is linked to his Eagles,” citing the team’s Super Bowl window and current depth chart as reasons why Cooper makes sense. He also pointed to Dotson’s disappointing 216-yard season as evidence that help is needed.
Cooper, 30, is coming off his worst statistical year, totaling 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns while splitting time between the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. But the five-time Pro Bowler still carries value, particularly as a reliable route-runner and possession target in key situations.
Eagles fans remember Cooper well from his Dallas Cowboys days (2018–2021), where he routinely torched Philadelphia defenses. In six games against the Eagles, Cooper averaged 81.6 receiving yards and scored three touchdowns—including all three in a 2018 game that ended in a walk-off deflection touchdown over Rasul Douglas in overtime.
While Cooper is no longer a true WR1, he could thrive in a secondary role behind Brown and Smith. His experience, football IQ, and knack for finding soft spots in coverage would be an ideal fit in head coach Nick Sirianni’s offense, especially in three-receiver sets.
Philadelphia’s front office, led by Roseman, has made a habit of finding key veteran contributors in the post-draft market. In 2022, James Bradberry signed after the draft and turned into an All-Pro corner. A low-risk, one-year deal with Cooper could offer similar upside in the passing game.
The Eagles are clearly in win-now mode as they gear up to defend their Super Bowl title. And while the coaching staff may hope that Marshall, Wilson, or Smith develops into a capable WR3, adding a proven option like Cooper could solidify the offense heading into training camp.
With little downside and potentially high impact, Amari Cooper may be the next savvy addition in Philadelphia’s pursuit of sustained dominance.