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
Round 1: (4) WRAmari Cooper
In terms of sheer impact on one organization, Amari Cooper could wind up being the best pick in the entire draft. Widely considered the best receiver in this year’s draft, Cooper will be able to match his skills with those of second year quarterbackDerek Carr. That the two budding stars will be able to work, grow, and refine their games together is a real plus for this organization.
Cooper immediately upgrades the offense, and gives them a legitimate home run threat – something the team has been sorely lacking for some time. Oakland hasn’t had a receiver top the 1,000 yard mark sinceRandy Mosstopped the mark all the way back in 2005. It’s a streak that very well could end this season.
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The Raiders’ offense is immediately better with the addition of Cooper. Teamed withRod Streater,James Jones,Michael Crabtree, andAndre Holmes, Oakland now has a very deep, very explosive receiving corps. Cooper is going to make the other guys in the receiving room better, and he will assist with Carr’s development very nicely.
As tempting as it must have been to takeLeonard Williamswho was still sitting there, McKenzie and Del Rio made the right call in selecting Cooper. This is a scoring and passing league, and the Raiders must be able to keep up with the Joneses – as well as vastly improve an offense that was only able to muster 15.8 points per game last season. They accomplished both things by selecting Cooper.
Grade: A+
Next: Round Two: Mario Edwards Jr.
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