2015 NFL Prospect Comparisons: Amari Cooper vs Sammy Watkins
Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Missouri Tigers of the 2014 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
Bottom Line
Both Cooper and Watkins came in right away and produced 1,000-yard seasons then kept going for big-time college career production. They both played three years and in his, Watkins had 240 catches for 3,391 yards, 27 touchdowns and a 14.1 average. And in his three years, Cooper had 228 catches for, 3,463 yards, 31 touchdowns and a 15.2 average.
But yet no one knows how he did it because he’s just good but not elite at anything. It’s like Jerry Rice in his prime because he did everything so well that there wasn’t the one thing you can say, “That’s why he’s great.” He didn’t have elite speed because scouts didn’t want him to have it, surprised even by the 4.42 he was originally reported to have run
Some scouts were even bothered by his drops but 4.6 percent for a young man that has to go home and study for a final after practice isn’t bad—that’s even good for an NFL player. Everyone has gotten so used to the big receivers bullying small corners for catches, they don’t appreciate the art of playing the position anymore.
How to set a guy up and get behind him and Cooper has mastered that plus he can flat out fly. The simulcam may be the reason but it’s good the NFL made sure they gave him his correct time. And that one thing was supposed to be what made Watkins so much better than Cooper.
Hands and physicality are the only two slight edges Watkins over as Cooper has everything else over Watkins. And where he really separates himself is his route-running and how pro ready he is. But the crazy thing about this comparison is just how similar I found out they are to each other.
And with many draft experts placing Cooper with the Oakland Raiders, he just might go as the same pick.
Whoever gets him is getting a great one for years to come.
The Bills already have their great one because there both special.