If Amari Cooper believes an endorsement will help him secure the contract extension he's aiming for, he received one from a perennial Pro Bowl cornerback.
Philadelphia Eagles corner Darius Slay lauded the Cleveland Browns veteran as the most unsung wide receiver in the NFL.
"I really be thinking he's the most underappreciated receiver in the league," Slay Green Light with Chris Long podcast.
Slay, a six-time Pro Bowler across 11 seasons with the Detroit Lions and Eagles, was asked initially by Long who he believed to be the league's most underrated receiver. Slay wouldn't characterize Cooper as underrated exactly, but was emphatic that he doesn't feel Cooper gets the recognition he's earned over 10 league seasons – or that he's getting treated as he should by the Browns.
"I'm seeing right now that Cleveland don't want to pay him, they need to pay that man that money," Slay said.
Headed into the final season of a five-year, $100 million pact, Cooper held out of mandatory minicamp as he's vying for a new deal.
Slay listed off plenty of reasons as to why the seven-time 1000-yard receiver is worthy of another pay bump.
"A guy that has been a consistent thousand-yard receiver and has been doing his thing and people still don't give him credit is really Amari Cooper," Slay said after thinking about Long's question.
Cooper is a five-time Pro Bowler, having earned all-star honors with the Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and Browns. The 30-year-old is also coming off arguably his most impressive season.
In 2023, Cooper tallied a career-high 1,250 yards and 17.4 yards per reception, hauling in 72 catches in total and five touchdowns. His production in two years in Cleveland has been a constant despite a revolving door under center as quarterback Deshaun Watson has struggled to stay on the field due to a suspension and injuries. Nevertheless, Cooper has produced.
Long pointed out Cooper's monster Week 16 showing last season against the Houston Texans in which he gobbled up 265 yards off 11 catches with a pair of touchdowns, having formed an instant connection with Joe Flacco.
"They were just playing catch out there," Long said.
"And getting groovy," Slay said.
Whether Cooper garners the fanfare or attention he should, he's certainly getting the respect of his piers.
"He really the one that's really being slept on," Slay said. "He been a consistent receiver for, since he been in the league and been dominating. He's really the only receiver that really, I truly think that has a true route tree as can run all the routes. Lot of guys got special abilities, can be running faster or somebody that's 6-6, 6-5, can just Moss you cause he's bigger than you. But Amari Cooper, off the line of scrimmage, he's amazing; after the catch, he's amazing; he can attack the ball."
And whether Cooper is getting the monetary support from the Browns that he should, he's most definitely got a rousing endorsement from one of the game's top defenders to add to his resume.
