2015 NFL Draft Rookie Spotlight: Amari Cooper
In most people’s eyes Amari Cooper was the clear-cut number one wide receiver in this year’s NFL Draft. Oakland has been struggling to find any production from their wide receivers in a long time. They have not had a 1,000 yard receiver since Randy Moss in 2005 but this streak could finally be over this year.
Amari Cooper is already capable of handling a large workload as a rookie and that is what he will be counted on to do. Michael Crabtree is the only wide out on this roster who could even contend in targets and I doubt he even comes close to the targets Cooper will receive. Derek Carr had a solid rookie season with virtually no offensive weapons and now with a threat on offense Carr should improve from last year’s season.
Let’s take a look at what Raiders fans can expect from their new rookie sensation.
Expectations
Raiders fans should expect a lot from their rookie wide out. Cooper has been NFL ready ever since he was a freshman at Alabama, Oakland has not had a threat like this on offense since they acquired Randy Moss. As the number one option out wide Cooper should expect at least eight to ten targets a game from Carr. Thanks to Coopers supreme talent and ability to run any route on the field, he should threaten to snap Oakland’s 1,000 yard drought.
Expect Cooper to be a year long rookie of the year candidate for the sheer fact that Oakland has no other threats at wide receiver. Oakland has built a nice nucleus of young players, with Carr and Cooper now head lining the offense Oakland could be in for a fun future watching these guys grow together.
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Predictions
Cooper has a chance to put up all time rookie wide receiver numbers. Anquan Boldin holds the NFL record for 101 receptions in a single season, while I do not think Cooper will break that record I do expect him to come closer than some will anticipate. He could get around 85-90 receptions this year, which is an incredible number of catches for a rookie receiver.
Cooper has a chance to be a future All-Pro wide receiver and this year Oakland will get a sneak peek at what looks like to be a promising future in the bay area.
Stat Line:
85 catches, 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns is my prediction for Amari Cooper’s rookie year.