Darius Slay labels Amari Cooper 'most under-appreciated' WR in NFL

Browns standout Amari Cooper wants more money. And why not? It seems like every other big-name receiver is getting paid more money or is about to be. Cooper skipped OTAs and mandatory minicamp to make his point with Cleveland management.

And one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL is throwing support Cooper’s way. Eagles star Darius Slay said this week that Cooper is one of the most “under-appreciated” receivers in the NFL. Surely Slay’s opinion carries some financial heft.

“I’m seeing right now that Cleveland don’t want to pay him, they need to pay that man that money,” Slay said on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast.

He added: “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.”

Now Cooper isn’t an unknown. The Raiders selected Cooper, a unanimous All-American at Alabama, with the fourth pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. He’s made five Pro Bowls since then, having played for the Raiders, Cowboys and Browns. But it probably is true that most NFL fans don’t immediately think of Cooper when asked about the top receivers in the league.

Browns know this is season to pay receivers

And this is the spring and summer when receivers are getting their checks. Just ask Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St Brown, Jaylen Waddle or A.J. Brown. Jefferson now is the highest-paid receiver, earning $35 million a year. Earlier in the spring, Brown signed for an average of $32 million per season, with St. Brown getting $30.002 million. Before the negotiating season started, Tyreek Hill was the highest paid at $30 million.

Other receivers are in line for big money. Like Cooper did with the Browns, Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb also skipped OTAs and minicamp as he tries to negotiate a better deal. Brandon Aiyuk also wants more money with the 49ers. And after paying Waddle, the Dolphins might be feeling pressure to add to Hill’s check.

Cooper turned 30 earlier this month. But he showed last season, under extraordinary circumstances, that he still is ageless on the field. The Browns went through a series of quarterbacks, using five different starters because of all the injuries.

Still, Cooper caught 72 passes for a career-high 1,250 yards. That’s 17.4 yards per reception. In 2022, his first season with the Browns, Cooper caught 78 passes for 1,160 yards.

On the podcast, Slay and Long brought up Cooper’s outing against the Texans last December. With Joe Flacco throwing him passes, Cooper caught 11 for 265 yards. Slay described Cooper’s game as “getting groovy”

And maybe he’ll be getting paid. Browns, are you listening?

“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 (Randy) 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.