Oakland Raiders: Which Receiver Steps Up Behind Amari Cooper?

May 26, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Amari Cooper (89) at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Much of the talk around Oakland Raiders Organized Team Activities has been the strong play of Amari Cooper. He has taken the team by storm and looks to be everything the Raiders had hoped he’d be after investing the fourth overall pick in him — and then some.

"“Real Deal. Almost no mental errors. Runs great routes, consistent route runner.”- Raiders team source discussing Cooper’s play during OTAs"

Having Cooper perform as well as he is has to be a sigh of relief for the Raiders. After missing out on the playoffs for 12 straight years, the Raiders are trying to right the ship and turn the franchise around. Hitting a home run with your new number one receiver is one way to strengthen your team.

The only concern for the Raiders’ receiving corps becomes — who will perform behind Cooper?

The Raiders receivers finished 28th in the NFL in the 2014-2015 season totaling only 3,456 yards through the air. The Raiders also finished 28th in averaging 216.0 receiving yards per game. The team tied for 17th in the NFL with 22 TDs by receivers. To make matters worse, the Raiders’ receiving corps tied for fourth most in the league with seven fumbles.

Live Feed

Dawg Pound Daily

It is apparent that the Raiders receiving core had an abysmal 2014-2015 season. The team must improve its passing game strategy going into the 2015-16 reason for two main reasons.

For starters, no team can consider themselves a true contender with that kind of performance from their receivers. The Raiders can have all the young, potential stars in the world, but if their receivers can’t catch the ball and make plays, the offense will come to a halt.

Secondly, if Cooper’s receiving prowess holds into the regular season, he will be seen as a clear number one receiver by opposing defenses. If Cooper is the only one producing amongst Raider’s wide receivers, then defenses will either double team cooper or put one of their best cornerbacks on the young stud. If the rest of the Raider’s receiving core fail to adjust, then the team will be right back to having the same difficulties they did last season.

The Raiders are improving, there is no question about that; but if these receivers don’t step up, rookie wideout Cooper will be left high and dry and the team’s receiving numbers will look very similar to their terrible 2014-15 numbers. 

Next: Michael Crabtree