Oakland Raiders: Options for 4th Pick in 2015 NFL Draft
By Jamie Faue
Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) runs the ball during the second quarter of the 2014 SEC Championship Game against the Missouri Tigers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
Amari Cooper: Wide Receiver, Alabama
According to scouts INC. top 32, Alabama’s third-year wide receiver Amari Cooper is projected to be the fourth pick in the upcoming Draft. Cooper, in 2014, had 115 receptions for 1,656 yards and posted 14 touchdown catches. Cooper was one of the runner-ups in the 2014 Heisman Trophy Award voting and is a candidate for the Bilenikoff Award, which is an award given to the top wide receiver in college football every year.
In his sophomore year, Cooper had some trouble with injuries, but he still was able to obtain 45 catches for 736 yards. 15 of those 45 catches were for 15 or more yards, resulting in four touchdowns and averaged about 16.4 yards per catch.
Nov 15, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) catches a touchdown pass defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Jay Hughes (3) in the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Finally in his freshman year, Cooper broke Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones‘ freshman record for receptions and yards, with 59 receptions for 1000 yards. He also broke Al Lary’s record of 10 touchdowns in a freshman season, with 11 touchdowns. This performance rewarded him Freshman All-American honors from the FWAA, Sporting News, CBSSports.com, CollegeFootbalNews.com and Scout.com. Cooper was also named the SEC All-Freshman team by league coaches.
While the Raiders could really use an explosive wide receiver, it does not matter who the receivers are if Carr can’t throw them a good pass, because he is poorly protected by his offensive line.