Why the Oakland Raiders Shouldn’t Use #4 On Amari Cooper

Oct 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, right, talks with Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

4. The Pick is More Valuable in a Trade

With a draft that is as deep as this one is but with a potential lack of truly transcendent talent at the top, the #4 overall pick – should Leonard Williams be taken in the top 3 – may be worth more as a trade piece than as an actual selection for a team like the Raiders with so many needs.

While most teams will probably recognize this, it only takes one, especially if the dominoes fall properly in the first three picks. One team to keep an eye on is the Browns. The Browns, who are owned by an apparent impulsive meddler, are a top candidate to make an aggressive move up the board in the draft. The Browns may need a quarterback with Johnny Manziel in rehab, and the Browns also need a wideout if owner Jimmy Haslam is insistent that Manziel is his guy: Josh Gordon is gone for another year to another substance-abuse suspension.

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Jimmy Haslam might want Amari Cooper, who probably will be sitting on the board when the Raiders pick. Haslam might try to trade with the Raiders for the pick to be sure that the Raiders don’t get him, and also to be sure that he doesn’t fall to Washington. Haslam also may want to jump ahead of the Jets so he can grab Marcus Mariota, in case he has decided that the Johnny Football Project is not worth another year.

The Browns scenario could be ideal for the Raiders if it happens. Haslam is sitting on the #12 and #19 pick and might be dumb enough to give them both up to move to #4. If that happens, the Raiders could grab Eric Kendricks and Kevin White and still be able to grab someone like Owamagbe Odighizuwa or Arik Armstead at the top of round 2.

Of course that might not happen, in fact it probably won’t, but even if the Raiders trade back with a team like the Rams or Vikings and gain a 2nd rounder in the process, it gives Reggie McKenzie one more pick to work with this year, and Reggie knows what to do with draft picks. It could be the best move he can make.

Next: Reason #5: Cooper May Be Overhyped

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