Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Amari Cooper vs Diontae JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.2 PPG to Diontae Johnson's 9.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy play this season.

Amari Cooper is the better play on a neutral week. 11.2 PPG with 782 yards gives a reliable baseline. Diontae Johnson at 9.3 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Amari Cooper higher, but do not fade Diontae Johnson entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRBuffalo Bills#99PPG LEADER

Amari Cooper

PPG

11.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

782

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

WRBaltimore Ravens#99

Diontae Johnson

PPG

9.3

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

712

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Amari Cooper

Diontae Johnson

Head to Head

11.2 PPG9.3 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Amari Cooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Diontae Johnson: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Amari Cooper is producing at 51% of elite pace and Diontae Johnson at 42%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Amari Cooper vs Diontae Johnson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Amari Cooper and Diontae Johnson for your lineup, you are not alone. Amari Cooper finished the 2025 season at 11.2 PPG for the Buffalo Bills (16 games), and Diontae Johnson averaged 9.3 for the Baltimore Ravens (15 games).

That 1.9-point weekly advantage for Amari Cooper is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Amari Cooper turned 95 targets into 782 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Diontae Johnson converted 95 looks into 712 yards and 3 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Amari Cooper sits Week 12 while Diontae Johnson is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Amari Cooper (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Diontae Johnson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Amari Cooper outscored Diontae Johnson by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Amari Cooper played 16 games in 2025 compared to Diontae Johnson's 15. That durability gap means Amari Cooper contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Amari Cooper scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Diontae Johnson saw 95 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Amari Cooper vs Diontae Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Amari Cooper	Diontae Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.2	9.3
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	179	140
Receptions	65	60
Rec/Game	4.1	4.0
Receiving Yards	782	712
Rec Yds/Game	48.9	47.5
Receiving TDs	4	3
Targets	95	95
Target Share/Game	5.9	6.3
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Amari Cooper at 11.2 PPG, 1.9 points per game above Diontae Johnson's 9.3. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Amari Cooper or Diontae Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Amari Cooper has the edge at 11.2 PPG compared to Diontae Johnson's 9.3 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Amari Cooper and Diontae Johnson average in 2025?▾

Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Diontae Johnson averaged 9.3 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are Amari Cooper and Diontae Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper (BUF) has a bye in Week 12, and Diontae Johnson (BAL) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Amari Cooper or Diontae Johnson a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper outscored Diontae Johnson by 1.9 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.