Oakland Raiders: Top-20 players of the 21st Century

Amari Cooper (2015-2018)

Though his time with the Oakland Raiders ended on a sour note, and he has since gone on to bash the organization, Amari Cooper was one of the better players for the franchise this century. The Raiders first round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Cooper burst onto the scene with a 1,000-yard rookie season, and proceeded to post another one in Year 2.

In both those seasons, Cooper would be named to the Pro Bowl, as he began to establish himself as one of the better young wide receivers in football. Unfortunately, Cooper always had an issue with the drops, and in 2017, he saw his production fall way below the marks he had set for himself over the first two years in the NFL.

In 2018, Cooper wore out his welcome with Jon Gruden and this Raiders coaching staff, and he was traded prior to the trade deadline. Though he lasted only three-plus years in Oakland, he did team with Michael Crabtree in 2016 to become one of those rare wideout tandems that both go over 1,000 yards in a season for the Raiders. He needed a change of scenery, and the Raiders were happy to give it to him.