Oakland Raiders: Week 1 Stat Predictions

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August 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) runs with the football during the first quarter in a preseason NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Rams 18-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Amari Cooper

As the fourth overall pick in the draft, Cooper enters his rookie season in 2015 with high expectations.

Cooper entered the 2015 NFL draft as one of the most polished prospects regardless of position, as he had a great deal of success at a top school in a top conference for several years. Cooper brought in 228 receptions for 3,463 yards and 31 touchdowns in his three years at the University of Alabama.

Entering Week 1 of the regular season, rookies within starting roles can often play uncharacteristically due to the overall nerves surrounding their debut, but according to Carr this is not the case for Cooper.

“He’s just the same guy everyday,” Carr said, via Raiders.com. “Amari has been such a joy to be around because he’s not nervous. Football is just a game to him. He knows there is a bigger calling on his life then just football. So when he comes out to football it’s just him trying to help the team win. He’s not worried about if he drops the ball or if I miss him on a throw. He’s not worried about it. Let’s get the next one.”

With Carr’s apparent trust in Cooper, I expect him to receive a high volume of targets all throughout the season, as the Carr-to-Cooper connection will need to be strong in order for Oakland to string together a successful season in 2015.

Both Adam Jones and four-year cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick have flashed above-average talent at times throughout their career, but Cooper seems more than capable of getting open against any corner that lines up across from him in a Bengals’ jersey.

Stat Prediction:

8 receptions for 118 yards and 1 touchdown

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