Could Amari Cooper, the top pick for the Oakland Raiders this year, be in line for some return duties this season?
Raiders special-teams coach Brad Seely said it was possible that the No. 4 overall draft selection could see some time returning kicks, especially with seventh-rounder Andre Debose on injured reserve.
"I think you can go back to guys that have been there," Seely said. "Latavius [Murray] has done a nice job, he's got some experience back there. TJ Carrie has done a nice job. We were really hopeful for Andre Debose. Unfortunately, he got injured. So those are guys that stand out right now.
"We brought in the young guy from LSU [Trindon Holliday] that, you know, he's got talent, has been talented here in the past in the NFL. So we're giving him an opportunity, too. Amari Cooper is another guy we're working back there. It depends on, you know, what exactly his role is on this football team if he's going to do some of that stuff, because he could because he's got a lot of talent. At this time of the year, you're really just trying to evaluate as many guys as you can."
Cooper, who is expected to be Oakland's No. 1 receiver this season, was getting some reps as a kick returner in OTAs this week. But putting him back there may be an unnecessary injury risk for such a prized rookie, even though fellow NFL WRs Antonio Brown and Julian Edelman split time as punt returners as well.
Seely was the special-teams coach for the New England Patriots in 2007 and 2008 when Wes Welker caught 100-plus balls in both seasons while serving as an active punt returner. While the coach acknowledged the inherent risk involved with return duties he also noted the importance of helping the team win on game day.
"We'll always do and always have done is, 'Hey, here's what the guy can do for us,' and you've got to weigh what that does for you. Is he that kind of player that can change a game in that aspect for you? What we're trying to do every Sunday is what we can do to win the game," Seely said. "If the guy is fantastically talented at one thing that he can help you win the football game, you've got to look at it. Then you've got to be smart as well."
