Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) during warm-ups prior to the 2015 Sugar Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, Pat Kirwan, Rob Rang, Dane Brugler, and a host of other professional mock drafters all agree: the Raiders will take Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper with the fourth overall pick in the draft. Many Raider fans agree, as do many beat writers and other analysts and indeed many members of the JBB staff.
But Matt Lorscheider says they should not. Matt Lorscheider is of a different opinion.
Amari Cooper is probably the best wideout in this draft to be sure, though you could make a strong argument for West Virginia’s Kevin White. Cooper has good size, is fast, runs good routes, gets good separation, catches the ball, runs well with the ball after the catch, and scored a lot of touchdowns at the University of Alabama. He’s going to be a good NFL wide receiver, I am sure of it, as are most scouts, analysts, and GM’s.
To be quite frank, if the Raiders do pick Cooper, I wouldn’t even really be mad. I just don’t think it’s the best use of the #4 overall pick in the 2015 draft. Here’s why:
Next: Reason #1: WR Not the Raiders Most Pressing Need