If Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio is to reverse the fortunes of the formerly failing Oakland franchise and young signal-caller Derek Carr is to take a major next step in his development as the leader of not just the offense, but the team, it's imperative that wide receiver Amari Cooper make his presence known from Day One in the NFL.
According to a recent report, that's exactly what he's doing.
"Early word on #Raiders WR Amari Cooper, per team source: 'Real deal. Almost no mental errors. Runs great routes, consistent route runner,'" ESPN NFL insider Adam Caplan tweeted Friday.
Cooper, Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie's first-round pick this past April, fourth-overall, entered the pre-2015 NFL Draft process with ample hype as the most NFL-ready receiver available. He won the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's most outstanding receiving, in 2014 after amassing 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns for an Alabama offense missing a transcendent talent at the quarterback position.
"Cooper can play inside and outside, and Oakland has all outside receivers. And, boy, is Derek Carr going to love him," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said at the time, via NFL.com.
While Cooper's game will never be predicated on speed, his smarts and route-running, combined with a tireless work ethic, mean he's likely set for a long and highly productive NFL career.
"Amari is super athletic, very fluid and highly skilled as a route runner and hands catcher. Because of his reserved demeanor and similar ability, I compared him to Marvin Harrison during the season," former NFL GM Phil Savage said.
By the tone of recent accounts, it seems the No. 4 overall pick has been making a pretty good first impression on Raiders players and coaches.
While Carr is still nursing an injury and it's very early in the process, if Cooper can continue to develop as expected, it will go a long way toward aiding Oakland's ascent to relevancy.
