Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Amari Cooper vs Khalil ShakirWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.2 PPG to Khalil Shakir's 8.1 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. Khalil Shakir at 8.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Amari Cooper higher, but do not fade Khalil Shakir entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRBuffalo Bills#99PPG LEADER

Amari Cooper

PPG

11.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

782

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

WRBuffalo Bills#48

Khalil Shakir

PPG

8.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

719

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Amari Cooper

Khalil Shakir

Head to Head

11.2 PPG8.1 PPG

16 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Amari Cooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Khalil Shakir: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #48 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Amari Cooper is producing at 51% of elite pace and Khalil Shakir at 37%. That ranking gap means Khalil Shakir carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Amari Cooper vs Khalil Shakir: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Amari Cooper and Khalil Shakir for your lineup, you are not alone. Amari Cooper finished the 2025 season at 11.2 PPG for the Buffalo Bills (16 games), and Khalil Shakir averaged 8.1 for the Buffalo Bills (16 games).

That 3.1-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 Khalil Shakir converted 95 looks into 719 yards and 4 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Amari Cooper is off Week 12 and Khalil Shakir Week 7. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Amari Cooper is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Khalil Shakir is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Amari Cooper (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Khalil Shakir (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Amari Cooper outscored Khalil Shakir by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Amari Cooper scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Khalil Shakir 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 Khalil Shakir: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Amari Cooper	Khalil Shakir
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.2	8.1
Games Played	16	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	179	130
Receptions	65	72
Rec/Game	4.1	4.5
Receiving Yards	782	719
Rec Yds/Game	48.9	44.9
Receiving TDs	4	4
Targets	95	95
Target Share/Game	5.9	5.9
Age	-	26
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Amari Cooper at 11.2 PPG, 3.1 points per game above Khalil Shakir's 8.1. 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 Khalil Shakir in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Amari Cooper has the edge at 11.2 PPG compared to Khalil Shakir's 8.1 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 Khalil Shakir average in 2025?▾

Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Khalil Shakir averaged 8.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

When are Amari Cooper and Khalil Shakir's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper (BUF) has a bye in Week 12, and Khalil Shakir (BUF) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Amari Cooper or Khalil Shakir a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper outscored Khalil Shakir by 3.1 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.