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Head to Head

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Amari Cooper vs Michael WilsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.2 PPG to Michael Wilson's 10.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Amari Cooper and Michael Wilson are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.5-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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
16
Rec
65
Rec Yds
782
Rec TDs
4
Targets
95
Bye
Week 12
WRArizona Cardinals#24
Michael Wilson
PPG
10.7
Games
17
Rec
78
Rec Yds
1,006
Rec TDs
7
Targets
126
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Amari Cooper
Michael Wilson

Head to Head

11.2 PPG10.7 PPG
16 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Amari Cooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Michael Wilson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #24 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Amari Cooper is producing at 51% of elite pace and Michael Wilson at 49%. That ranking gap means Michael Wilson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Amari Cooper vs Michael Wilson: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Amari Cooper finished the 2025 season at 11.2 PPG over 16 games with the Buffalo Bills, while Michael Wilson clocked in at 10.7 across 17 appearances for the Arizona Cardinals. A 0.5-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Target volume is the story here. Michael Wilson saw 126 targets in 2025, while Amari Cooper drew 95. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Michael Wilson, even in weeks where Amari Cooper posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Amari Cooper is off Week 12 and Michael Wilson Week 14. 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

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. Michael Wilson (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Amari Cooper outscored Michael Wilson by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Michael Wilson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Amari Cooper's 16. That durability gap means Michael Wilson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Michael Wilson scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Michael Wilson saw 126 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 Michael Wilson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAmari CooperMichael Wilson
PPG (Half-PPR)11.210.7
Games Played1617
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)179182
Receptions6578
Rec/Game4.14.6
Receiving Yards7821,006
Rec Yds/Game48.959.2
Receiving TDs47
Targets95126
Target Share/Game5.97.4
Age-26
Experience-2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 12Week 14

Summary

11.2 PPG for Amari Cooper versus 10.7 for Michael Wilson in 2025. The baseline favors Amari Cooper, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Amari Cooper or Michael Wilson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Amari Cooper has the edge at 11.2 PPG compared to Michael Wilson's 10.7 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 Michael Wilson average in 2025?

Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Michael Wilson averaged 10.7 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Amari Cooper and Michael Wilson's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is Amari Cooper or Michael Wilson a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Amari Cooper outscored Michael Wilson by 0.5 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.

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