The Oakland Raiders are all in on the Derek Carr bandwagon as shown by the team's first-round draft pick this year. Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper was selected with the hope that he will become the team's No. 1 target in the passing game and aide Carr's development as a franchise QB in the making. Unfortunately, an injury to the ring finger on Carr's throwing hand has kept him on the sideline during Oakland's first two rounds of organized team activities so the team hasn't been able to see their two offensive cornerstones together. But that hasn't stopped Cooper from living up to the immense pre-draft hype.
"The 6-foot-1, 205-punder, whom head coach Jack Del Rio calls one of the most polished receivers to come out of college in years, has been extraordinarily smooth no matter who has been throwing the ball his way," ESPN's Michael Wagaman wrote.
"After an inauspicious start to his NFL career - Cooper slipped and fell at the line of scrimmage, then was called for a false start on consecutive plays during the Raiders' rookie minicamp in May - the former Alabama star has looked in May ways like a seasoned veteran.
"His route running continues to be crisp, and Coopers seems to be picking up offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave's playbook without much problem."
Cooper set an SEC record with 124 receptions while racking up 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns last year. Given the lackluster state of Oakland's receiving corps, there's no reason why he won't be the top producer on this roster in 2015.
"He adds an explosiveness to the offense," wide receiver Rod Streater said. "I feel like he is going to come in and make an impact right away. The more playmakers you have, the better you are going to be. He is really going to help us win."
Carr predictably had an up-and-down season under center for the Raiders last year. But the addition of Cooper should help him be more consistent this season, even if the passing/receiving numbers aren't gaudy. Raiders fans finally have a right to be excited about their offense.
