Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Amari Cooper vs Tetairoa McMillanWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.2 PPG to Tetairoa McMillan's 10.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Amari Cooper is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Amari Cooper edges Tetairoa McMillan by 0.7 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Amari Cooper goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

WRCarolina Panthers#26

Tetairoa McMillan

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,014

Rec TDs

Targets

122

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Amari Cooper

Tetairoa McMillan

Head to Head

11.2 PPG10.5 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Amari Cooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Tetairoa McMillan: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #26 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Amari Cooper is producing at 51% of elite pace and Tetairoa McMillan at 48%. That ranking gap means Tetairoa McMillan carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Amari Cooper vs Tetairoa McMillan: 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 Tetairoa McMillan clocked in at 10.5 across 17 appearances for the Carolina Panthers. A 0.7-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. Tetairoa McMillan saw 122 targets in 2025, while Amari Cooper drew 95. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Tetairoa McMillan, 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 Tetairoa McMillan Week 5. 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. Tetairoa McMillan (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Amari Cooper outscored Tetairoa McMillan by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tetairoa McMillan played 17 games in 2025 compared to Amari Cooper's 16. That durability gap means Tetairoa McMillan contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tetairoa McMillan scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Tetairoa McMillan saw 122 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 Tetairoa McMillan: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Amari Cooper	Tetairoa McMillan
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.2	10.5
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	179	179
Receptions	65	70
Rec/Game	4.1	4.1
Receiving Yards	782	1,014
Rec Yds/Game	48.9	59.6
Receiving TDs	4	7
Targets	95	122
Target Share/Game	5.9	7.2
Age	-	23
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 5

Summary

Amari Cooper outscored Tetairoa McMillan by 0.7 PPG in 2025 (11.2 to 10.5). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Amari Cooper or Tetairoa McMillan in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Amari Cooper has the edge at 11.2 PPG compared to Tetairoa McMillan's 10.5 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 Tetairoa McMillan average in 2025?▾

Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Tetairoa McMillan averaged 10.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Amari Cooper and Tetairoa McMillan's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper (BUF) has a bye in Week 12, and Tetairoa McMillan (CAR) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Amari Cooper or Tetairoa McMillan a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Amari Cooper outscored Tetairoa McMillan by 0.7 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.