Pharoh Cooper

Cooper was one of eight wideouts released by the Jaguars today, alongside Phillip Dorsett and Collin Johnson. He was a first-team All-Pro special-teamer in 2017 for the Rams. Jacksonville will turn elsewhere for their return jobs.

Cooper, 26, spent the 2020 season with the Panthers where he again played primarily on special teams. He tallied a career-low five receptions for 73 yards on offense but returned 18 kickoffs for 430 yards and 20 punts for 117 yards. A former All-Pro and Pro Bowl nominee with the Rams, Cooper will be deployed as such with Urban Meyer and Jacksonville in 2021.

Cooper earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2017 as a returner with the Rams before getting his most work yet as a receiver with the Cardinals in 2019. Overall, Cooper caught 25-of-33 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown as a backup WR in the Cardinals' four-WR heavy offense. He'll likely work as the Panthers' No. 4 WR behind D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel and probably Seth Roberts.

Cooper wasn't afforded much opportunity on offense behind starting inside receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk but still made his presence felt at times. In particular, Cooper fared well on special teams, churning out 22.4 yards on 25 kickoff returns and 7.6 yards on 17 punt returns. Both of those averages ranked in the top 12 for qualified returners, but it remains to be seen if the Cardinals will retain the unrestricted free agent in the offseason.