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5 Oakland Raiders primed for bounce-back years in 2018

By John Buhler

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders throws a pass in the first quarter during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders throws a pass in the first quarter during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 25: Amari Cooper No. 89 of the Oakland Raiders walks off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 25: Amari Cooper No. 89 of the Oakland Raiders walks off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

. WR. Alabama Crimson Tide. Amari Cooper. 1. player. 28

It was either going to be Carr or wide receiver Amari Cooper coming in at No. 1 here. While Carr will absolutely have a bounce-back year, there’s no way that Cooper doesn’t get back to being a Pro Bowl wideout in this offense. Otherwise, we’ve got some serious problems on out hands.

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Hands were an issue for Cooper last year. He and the Raiders receiving corps dropped everything. After making the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons in the league, Cooper couldn’t even break 1,000 receiving yards. The ball did get spread around a good bit to Cooper, Cook and wide receiver Michael Crabtree. However, the AC/DC connection must carry the Raiders in the passing game if the Raiders want to get back into the playoffs.

Cooper will inherit Bennett as his new receivers coach. Bennett used to be the offensive coordinator in Green Bay. He did great work in helping Rodgers find not-so open wide receivers in the passing game. If Cooper can become a more dominant contested catch receiver, it’s all over for the AFC West, as he will be back to being a top-10 wideout in the game.

Next: Raiders: 5 defensive linemen to target in 2018 NFL free agency

So let’s put this bluntly. The Raiders drafted Cooper to be a perennial Pro Bowl wide receiver that should eclipse 1,000 receiving yards effortlessly every year. Oakland may look to swap Crabtree for a coveted free agent, but Cooper has to shine for the Raiders to win more than they loss on fall Sundays in 2018. Nobody needs a bounce-back season in the Silver and Black more than Cooper.

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