Oakland Raiders Only Have One Choice With the Draft’s Fourth Pick
By Kevin Saito
Ordinarily, when ESPN’s Mel Kiper says you should do something, you generally want to do the opposite of whatever that something is. In this case though, Reggie McKenzie and the Oakland Raiders are going to have to bite the bullet and agree with Kiper about who the best receiver in the draft is. And in this case, he really is the only choice for Oakland with the fourth pick in this year’s draft — Alabama’s Amari Cooper.
The Raiders have spent considerable time and money retooling and beefing up their defense this offseason. They’ve brought in Dan Williams, Curtis Lofton, Nate Allen, Malcolm Smith, and James Dockery to plug holes and add depth to a defensive unit that sorely needed it.
There is no question that Oakland, with returning players like Justin Ellis, Justin Tuck, Khalil Mack, Sio Moore, and Benson Mayowa, among others, the Raiders will be much stouter against the run – and better defensively overall. Oakland’s free agent signings weren’t splashy nor flashy, but they were solid additions and filled some much needed holes.
On the other side of the ball, McKenzie missed on free agent receivers like Jeremy Maclin and Randall Cobb, but he did upgrade the center position, and added some very intriguing pieces like Roy Helu and Trent Richardson, who can potentially add another dimension to Oakland’s offense – something else the team desperately needed.
New center Rodney Hudson and new blocking TE Lee Smith will help solidify an offensive line that wasn’t too shabby last year, but now looks to be better. They will be charged with blowing open holes for the running backs, as well as keeping second year quarterback Derek Carr upright and healthy.
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Having addressed some major areas of need during the free agency period, Oakland is now left one big, gaping hole that still needs to be filled. And that’s for a playmaking wide receiver.
Oakland’s receiving corps will no doubt be bolstered by the return of Rod Streater, who had his 2014 season cut very short after an injury limited him to just three games. Streater, James Jones, Brice Butler, Kenbrell Thompkins, and Andre Holmes likely make up Carr’s pass catchers. It’s a group that is perhaps a touch underrated, but certainly not one that strikes fear into opposing defenses.
HC Jack Del Rio believes that his receiving corps isn’t the nightmare most people think it is, and that there is some real potential for solid production from that group. However, he also said that they will be looking to add some receivers in the draft as well.
Which brings us to the decision the Raiders must make with that fourth overall pick.
Some are clamoring for Oakland to take a pass rusher at four. With names like Randy Gregory, Dante Fowler, Shane Ray, and Vic Beasley at the top of some boards, they could do very well in that department if they chose to go defense with the pick.
Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers safety Braylon Webb (9) forces Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) out of bounds in the first quarter of the 2014 SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome. Alabama beat Missouri 42-13. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
But given the fact that they could theoretically move Mack to defensive end and turn him loose on opposing QB’s, it makes much more sense to address a glaring area of need for the Raiders – offense. Or more specifically, the lack of offense.
Last season, Oakland was dead last in total offense in the NFL, averaging a tick over 282 yards per game. The running game was beyond abysmal – and also dead last in the league in most every relevant category.
The only bright spot – and we use that term somewhat loosely – in Oakland’s offensive game last year was the passing game. With quite literally no running game, some highly questionable – again, using that phrase very loosely – game plans and play calls, as well as some consistency issues in the receiving group, Carr still managed to help the Raiders to the 26th best passing attack.
No, it’s not parade worthy, but at least they weren’t dead last in that category as well. Given all of what Carr had to work with last season, he should be praised for getting the passing attack that high.
Imagine what Carr could do with a game changing type of receiver. Which is where Cooper fits in.
The debate between Cooper and West Virginia’s Kevin White has been raging among the Raider faithful for a while. And it’s a tough call. Both are coming off incredible seasons, incredible combine performances, and have amazing measurables. White is a little bit bigger and faster, but Cooper is a better route runner and is more elusive after the catch.
You really couldn’t go wrong with either Cooper or White. Either will upgrade and add a dynamic element to your offense. The edge for Cooper though, is that he’s a bit more of a known quantity. With three years of terrific productivity – capped off by a n almost video game-like junior season – Cooper has shown that he is as smooth and polished as they come, and that he is a lock to be incredible at the next level.
White came on strong at the combine after posting a stellar senior season that saw him haul in 109 balls for 1,447 yards, and ten scores. The trouble with White though, is that his junior season was relatively unremarkable – 35 catches for 507 yards, and 5 scores. Not bad, but certainly not great.
White is very likely going to have a very productive NFL career. And if for some reason, Cooper was not available at four, the Raiders would do well to snatch him up the moment they’re on the clock. But if Cooper is available, the Raiders would be much better off taking him, thus giving Carr an elite weapon to work with, and making the Oakland offense more dynamic as a whole.
The Raiders have done well this offseason in retooling and upgrading their defense. But their offense needs some attention too. Giving Carr a weapon like Cooper to go along with Streater, Jones, and pass catching TE Mychal Rivera, would add an explosive dimension to the Raider offense.
There is no question about it. It’s as much of a no-brainer as taking Mack at five last year. If Cooper is available at four, McKenzie absolutely, positively must pull the trigger and bring the elite young talent to the Bay Area.
It’s shocking, but Kiper has it right for a change.