Oakland Raiders NFL Draft Preview: Slot Receiver

Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina

Unlike the rest of the receivers on this list, former South Carolina receiver Pharoh Cooper possesses a thick, compact build that allows him to fight through tackles and beat press coverage more effectively than some of the smaller slot receivers entering the NFL draft. At 5’11”, 203 pounds, Cooper has elite short area quickness that allows him to create separation early in his route and make plays with the ball in his hands. Coming from a military family, Cooper is a disciplined player with unmatched work ethic both on the field and in the weight room.

At South Carolina, Cooper remained productive in both his years as a starter, as he brought in 135 receptions for 2109 yards and 17 touchdowns since 2014, per CFBStats.com.

On top of his consistency, Cooper’s willingness to compete on every single down will force scouts to give him an extra look, but he will have to prove that he can consistently make catches with his arms extended if he is going to land in Oakland.

With the Raiders, Cooper could develop into a dominant chain-mover on key downs because of his burst and competitiveness, but he still needs to work to polish his route tree before he sees an extended role at the next level. Look for him to come off the board somewhere in the third or fourth round.