Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
When the Oakland Raiders selected Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, they knew they were getting a true star who could take their passing game to new heights. They might also know this, but I’m convinced they got a future All-Pro as well.
Cooper is the definition of a No. 1 wide receiver. With a big body, excellent speed, reliable hands and the route running to create space in coverage, there really isn’t anything the former Crimson Tide star can’t do – except jump really high.
Still, despite his leaping deficiencies, he’s the ultimate package. Turning on a few minutes of his college tape is more than enough to prove that. Seriously, the route running is light-years ahead of where most rookies are at this point in their football careers.
That’s why, when all is said and done, the Raiders will have found themselves an All-Pro wide receiver in Cooper. He’s the dominant force they’ve been wishing upon their lucky stars for, and the one who’s going to help return this Oakland team to relevance – somewhere they haven’t been in over a decade.
It also helps that the Raiders have an outstanding young quarterback in Derek Carr who’s going to enjoy tossing the pigskin Cooper’s way for the next 10-15 years. Carr might still be a work in progress, but his potential to develop into a franchise quarterback makes him and Cooper a lethal combination for the Oakland offense. The upside of this duo might even be enough to save GM Reggie McKenzie‘s job for the short term.
The road will certainly have its fair share of bumps, just as most NFL rookies must endure at some point. However, between his natural abilities and relentless drive to be the best, Cooper should have no problem emerging as a legitimate All-Pro wide receiver before his career in Oakland is over.
Get excited, Raiders fans; the future looks very bright for Cooper and Co.
