Amari Cooper possesses the natural talents that could help transform the Raiders' passing offense from a smorgasbord of faulty short threats and singles hitters to one with a playmaker boasting the ability to hit a home run at any moment.
Second-year quarterback Derek Carr sang high praise about his rookie target to 95.7 The Game on Tuesday.
"He (Cooper) is ridiculous in and out of his breaks," said Carr, via the team's official website. "His style of play is perfect for this league. He's good at getting on toes and creating separation. He's good at when the ball is in his hands making those fast-twitch movements to make a guy go one way so he can take it to the house. It's just little things that honestly people don't even notice."
At 6-foot-1, the No. 4 overall pick has the size, speed and route-running ability to make an instant impact on the Raiders' offense and shove his name atop the discussion for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Earlier this offseason, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per Alabama sources, that they believe Cooper was the most NFL-ready receiver the school has ever produced -- including Julio Jones.
"His work ethic is second to none," Carr added of Cooper. "I was throwing with him as soon as mini-camp was over so we can get more reps in, and our plan was to throw a couple more times, but he texted me that night. He said, 'Hey, let's throw at least three more times. I need to get this one route right.' Just him telling me that kind of stuff, it blew my mind."
NFL Media analysts Bucky Brooks and Nate Burleson added to the Cooper praise on a recent episode of the Dave Dameshek Football Program.Â
Brooks believes that because the rookie enters the NFL with his "toolbox full" in terms of route running, Cooper is capable of putting up 80-plus catches in his first year and is the best wideout the Raiders have drafted since Tim Brown.
"His route running has even improved since Alabama," Brooks said. "He is going to be a guy that right now comes in and plays. Those guys have success because he can run routes."
Added Burleson: "He's destined for a Day 1 breakout. ... If you have a guy that's 6-1, 6-2, decent weight, decent strength, can run routes -- not saying he's Marvin Harrison, but Marvin Harrison-esque -- that's a guy that can go outside, inside, that's going to pick up the playbook fast. ... All that is going to translate to huge success. Maybe he's not on highlights every weekend, but solid production. That's eight to nine catches, getting close to 100 yards every game. Moving the chains. You want a guy that is consistent, you want a guy that can help a young quarterback."
The work ethic and talent combination have Raider Nation giddy about the possibilities.
"I think the sky's the limit for him, obviously," Carr said. "Hopefully I just get the ball into his hands so he can make the plays."
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