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Oakland Raiders: Three Bold Player Predictions for the 2016 Season

By Nick Hjeltness

Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) reacts to a penalty against the Raiders during action against the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) reacts to a penalty against the Raiders during action against the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Amari Cooper Will Catch 100+ Passes

Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; (Editors note: Caption correction) Oakland Raider wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) runs for a touchdown after making a second quarter catch as San Diego Chargers defensive end Corey Liuget (94) gives chase at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; (Editors note: Caption correction) Oakland Raider wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) runs for a touchdown after making a second quarter catch as San Diego Chargers defensive end Corey Liuget (94) gives chase at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

In his rookie season, Amari Cooper caught 72 passes on 130 targets. As in encore in his second season, he’s gonna top the 100 mark.

One thing that will raise that number is limiting the amount of drops. Coop had 10 in his rookie campaign, second most in the NFL. Getting that number cut in half adds five receptions by itself.

The second thing that will help Amari reach this goal is increased chemistry with Carr. We’ve already gotten a taste of that in the preseason, and we’ll see it in action once the regular season starts. The two were roommates during the offseason, so there is no doubt they’ll be on the same page on game days.

The volume for Cooper will also increase. He was 18th in the NFL in targets, and getting another 30 passes thrown his way will put him into the top ten.

Increased chemistry leads to better timing, knowing how one another operate. This will increase the percentage of targets that are completed. In 2015, 55% of passes thrown to Cooper were completed.

If Carr and Cooper can connect on between 66% to 69% of passes, a number achieved by Julio Jones and Antonio Brown, with 150 targets, that will give him between 99 and and 104 receptions.

Only seven players in 2015 caught 100 or more passes. Amari joins that club in 2016.

Next: Raiders Bold Predictions #3: David Amerson

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