Rookie Player Profile: Amari Cooper

Paul Perdichizzi Posted On June 25, 2015

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Combine Review

Arm Length: 31½”
Hand Size: 10″
10 Yard Dash: 1.62
40 Yard Dash: 4.42
Vertical Jump: 33″
Broad Jump: 120″
3 Cone Drill: 6.71
20 Yard Shuttle: 3.98

Video Clip

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Strengths

Cooper has excellent quickness, balance and hand/eye coordination. He was the most advanced route runner in the wide receiver class this year. He can quickly accelerate to top speed in his routes and can maintain that speed even throughout his breaks. Cooper looks smooth and fluid in everything he does on the field. His precision, intelligence and ability to change directions so quickly allows him to easily create the separation he needs from his defenders. His ability to play inside in the slot, or on the outside, makes him a versatile weapon who can be used in a variety of formations and schemes. While he is not a big receiver in terms of size or stature, he displays toughness in his willingness to take a hit in the middle of the field. When the ball is in the air, he tracks the ball well and has good enough speed to be a vertical threat as well.

Weaknesses

While Cooper is athletic and very smooth in his route running, he does not have elite speed to take the top off defenses regularly at the NFL level. Based on his size, Cooper is also not the type of receiver where the quarterback can just throw the ball up and expect him to go up and get it. He lacks the physicality to fight off a defender in contested situations. His lack of elite size or physicality may have an effect as well on how productive he will be in the red zone, where everything is more compact.

Opportunities

One of the reasons Oakland may have chosen Cooper over the other receiver prospects in the draft is because he was considered the most pro ready in the draft class. With his defined route running skills and experience from college, Cooper is ready to take on the responsibilities of being the lead receiver from day one. I expect Cooper to immediately be the heavy favorite to lead the team in targets, receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns this season. He will be a high volume receiver from day one and will be the security blanket for David Carr. With Oakland’s defense still below average, Oakland will find themselves in catch up mode most games in the second half, which will give Cooper ample opportunities to put up stats late in games this season.

Threats

The biggest concern for Cooper is that he was drafted by the Raiders. Oakland has not produced a 1,000 yard wide receiver since Randy Moss in 2005. While Cooper has tremendous talent, his surroundings may be what hold him back from reaching his full potential early in his career. He has a young quarterback in Carr who is still learning how to play at the NFL level. Last year, by design or by his choice, Carr mostly looked to complete passes in the short-to-intermediate zones which will limit the big play opportunities Carr provides for Cooper. In addition to playing with a second year quarterback, Oakland has very few other legitimate weapons at the offensive skill positions. A wide receiver group of Michael Crabtree, Andre Holmes and Rod Streater, all but guarantee Cooper will be the focal point for all defenses to try and shut down in the passing game.

Short-term Expectations

I think Cooper will be a low-end WR2 or high-end WR3 in all PPR leagues this upcoming season. I expect him to lead all Oakland receivers in targets, receptions and yards. I think he will catch between 80 and 90 passes in year one and have over 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie.

Long-term Expectations

I believe Cooper has the talent to become a WR1 in all PPR leagues in a few years. I envision him developing into a receiver who can regularly catch 100 or more passes each year, for over 1,200 yards and between seven and ten touchdowns.

NFL Player Comparison

Reggie Wayne

Rookie Draft Advice

I think Cooper should be one of the first four picks taken in all rookie drafts. I would select him with the second overall pick in a rookie draft (behind Todd Gurley), but ahead of Kevin White and Melvin Gordon. While I believe Cooper has a slightly lower ceiling than White, he has a much higher floor with considerable less risk.

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