WR Amari Cooper NFL Draft Fits: Browns, 49ers, Chiefs
By Erik Lambert
Sep 20, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) makes a move after a catch against Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) in the first quarter of their game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 42-21. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sometimes during the process leading up to the NFL draft, proven commodities often get overshadowed by flash new toys. Such is the case with Amari Cooper. Despite putting on a show in 2014 for Alabama (124 catches, 1,727 yards, 16 touchdowns) he is now being pegged as likely the second receiver to come off the board in April behind West Virginia standout Kevin White who happened to be a little taller and a little faster.
This will be music to the ears of team picking towards the middle of the 1st round who may feel they have a shot at Cooper who is unquestionably worthy of going in the top 10 but could be pushed out by a run at quarterback and pass rusher. Should that happen, which teams fit his skill set best?
Cleveland Browns
Wide receiver was a problem last year for the Cleveland Browns and it’s not getting any better with the departure of Josh Gordon. This offense can’t hope to fix their quarterback problems if there is no weaponry available to use. Cooper represents their ideal solution because he’s talented but also comes from a pro-style offense and has a diverse route tree that makes him an immediate plug-and-play starter.
He won’t solve all their problems on his own. Nobody could but Cooper is the kind of big play threat with reliability that becomes the best friend of a quarterback, whether that ends up being Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel.
San Francisco 49ers
Michael Crabtree is on his way out. Stevie Johnson could be too. Anquan Boldin is in the twilight of his career. Suffice to say the San Francisco 49ers have all sorts of work to do at wide receiver, provided of course they want to get the most from Colin Kaepernick moving forward. Jim Tomsula has enough problems to deal with without having to worry about whether his quarterback can throw the ball.
Cooper offers them something they haven’t really had which is a credible deep threat who can force defenses to keep their safeties away from the line of scrimmage, opening up more lanes for that punishing ground attack the Niners have made their bread and butter.
Kansas City Chiefs
Dwayne Bowe could be out soon and Donnie Avery is already gone. The Kansas City Chiefs are depleted at the position. They don’t have a lot of money to fix it in free agency, so being able to somehow land a difference-maker like Amari Cooper with be an outright steal.
Head coach Andy Reid has a history of preferring receivers who boast quickness and speed as their calling cards, mixed with good route precision. Think Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson in Philadelphia. It wouldn’t take long for Cooper to find a niche in that offense, especially taking advantage of the several play action opportunities created by Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis.
The NFL draft tends to favor proven receivers. That could mean Cooper will have to go somewhere near the bottom of the top 10 just based on value. So that could mean one of these teams will have to trade up to get him. Otherwise keep an eye on Atlanta, New York and Minnesota as well.