Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
When the Oakland Raiders spent the No. 4 overall pick on Amari Cooper this past April, they knew what they were looking for. They wanted a top-flight wide receiver capable of filling the No. 1 role that’s gone absent the past few years – and they got one.
Heading into training camp, Cooper has a secure grip on the Raiders’ No. 1 wide receiver job. He’s far and away the most talented receiver on the roster, and he hasn’t even played a down in the NFL yet. While that is a comment on Cooper’s abilities, it’s also a comment on the lack of overall talent the Raiders possess out wide.
Cooper will be battling with veterans Michael Crabtree, Rod Streater and Andre Holmes for the share of targets this season. The rookie has a firm grip as the centerpiece of the Oakland passing game, but he will face significant pressure from Crabtree – an injury-prone veteran looking to resurrect his career – and Streater and Holmes – two youngsters still trying to reach their full NFL potential.
Luckily for Cooper, he’s got natural talent on his side.
With exceptional hands and the route running skills of a seasoned pro, the Alabama product is sure to shine early during his time with the Raiders. Even as Derek Carr continues to develop as the Raiders’ quarterback of the future, Cooper should provide the young gunslinger with a reliable option to throw to.
Training camp will be crucial for Cooper not in terms of solidifying his status as the Raiders’ top receiver, but instead in terms of getting on the same page as Carr. It’ll be an excellent opportunity for him to learn how to function within an NFL offense, and build chemistry with the offense as a whole.
Either way, expect big things from Cooper this season. The Raiders finally found a star receiver to lift their passing game to new heights.
