We've looked at some of the recent rumors regarding where the 2015 NFL draft's top quarterbacks may go. Now, how about the draft's top wide receiver?
ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay projects the Oakland Raiders to select Alabama's Amari Cooper with the fourth overall pick in the draft. After Cooper set SEC records with 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns this past season, it's not a stretch to see why.
Here's what McShay had to say about the pick.
"The Raiders have to provide second-year QB Derek Carr with more weapons," he wrote. "(James Jones is the top receiver on Oakland's roster right now.) Cooper, West Virginia's Kevin White and Louisville's Devante Parker are the best WR prospects in this class and the only ones who legitimately belong in the top-20 discussion, and Cooper is our favorite of the bunch. He was absolutely dominant in 2014 despite facing top defensive competition in the SEC and dealing with inconsistent play from Bama QB Blake Sims. He has excellent savvy as a route runner, good acceleration vertically and he does a terrific job of pulling down 50-50 balls."
We know that Oakland wants to surround Carr with more offensive talent to help continue his development. Adding Cooper would be a major first step in accomplishing that. Add Oakland's roughly $50 million in salary cap space this offseason and the Raiders could have a much improved offense in 2015.
Carr, despite receiving close to no help, managed to throw for 3,270 yards with 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 58.1 percent of his passes. Overall, the 23-year-old threw fewer picks than seasoned vets such as Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler.
The hope is that with a few extra playmakers thrown into the mix, Carr will take that next step as a quarterback in his second full season.
