Two Drafts Bring Oakland Raiders Into the New Age

Nov 30, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) makes a catch and runs for a 99 yard touchdown against Auburn Tigers defensive back Jonathon Mincy (6) and defensive back Jermaine Whitehead (9) during the fourth quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Amari Cooper

In 2015, the Raiders drafted a player that doesn’t have to take a back seat when it comes to being polished. Yes, in back-to-back years, they got the best, most polished quarterback and receiver. Cooper actually started to polish himself at age five, practicing his route-running in his backyard.

He has played receiver every since he was that age so it’s easy to see why he’s become so polished. Then he made his way up to high school, where he was a top recruit in the nation to Alabama. At Alabama, he learned the West Coast offense, which teaches you how to run each route based on the coverage.

It also developes timing, urging you to be at a certain spot on time, running an array of crisp routes to get open. He even learned how to set defenders up for big plays and how to play different receiver positions so opposing teams couldn’t take him away. The some of all that led to 124 catches, 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns with a converted running back at quarterback in 2014.

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