2015 No. 4 overall Amari Cooper is as advertised

May 19, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receivers coach Rob Moore and receiver Amari Cooper (89) at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Route-running and pro readiness

Early word on #Raiders WR Amari Cooper, per team source: “Real deal. Almost no mental errors. Runs great routes, consistent route runner.”

One of the hardest positions to come in right away and succeed at is the receiver position. With all the complex defenses and coverages out there with disguises, receivers have to be able to read them. So at least when it comes to the passing game, receivers have to see the game the same way the quarterback does.

The passing game in the NFL is based on timing and precision so quarterbacks and receivers must be on the same page. Receivers must run the correct route and the correct depth according to the coverages he and the quarterback read. Quarterbacks depend on their receivers to be at the right place at the right time because if not, the result can be an interception.

And if the team can’t trust a receiver to be where he’s supposed to be, he won’t play in the games. But since Cooper ran the West Coast Offense at Alabama just like they do in Oakland, that was never a problem. ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweeted of Cooper not having hardly any mental errors when the Raiders were in OTA’s.

Next: Separation and running after the catch