Amari Cooper wins Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week

Nov 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) catches a touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL has announced that Oakland Raiders receiver Amari Cooper won Pepsi Rookie of the Week for Week 9. He had 7 catches for 88 yards and a touchdown but the award probably should have went to Marcus Mariota. Mariota threw for 371 yards, four touchdowns and didn’t throw an interception.

It must have been a make-up call for Weeks 2 and 3, where Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston and linebacker Kwon Alexander won the award. But Cooper will take it as he has earned the title, “Next Tim Brown.” The rookie broke Brown’s record of 43 catches by a Raiders rookie set in 1989.

Cooper actually has a chance to double that record has he broke it in just seven games to Brown’s 16. Yes, the rules have changed and there’s a whole lot more passing going on in the NFL these days. But Cooper is taking advantage of it and lighting it up in this, his rookie year.

And in the process, he is showing that he is worthy of all the comparisons to Brown he has drawn. Brown went on to finish his career at No. 2 on the all-time receiving yards list as he is No. 6 now. Cooper already looks like he’s special enough to take his place among the all-time elite at his position.

There’s no telling where he’ll finish but with his second Rookie of the Week in eight games, he’s off to an awfully good start.