Oakland Raiders select WR Amari Cooper No. 4 in 2015 NFL draft

The Oakland Raiders badly needed a true No. 1 wide receiver to pair with QB Derek Carr. They may have found one, in the form of Alabama wide receiver Amari

Chris Burke | Apr 24, 2015

Oakland Raiders select WR Amari Cooper No. 4 in 2015 NFL draft /

The Oakland Raiders badly needed a true No. 1 wide receiver to pair with QB Derek Carr. They may have found one, in the form of Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper. Oakland nabbed Cooper with the fourth-overall pick, despite defensive tackle Leonard Williams' availability at that spot.

Cooper is a polished, impressive playmaker—he should slot alongside James Jones in Oakland's starting lineup, with Rod Streater, Michael Crabtree and others helping to round out the rotation. The Raiders have not had a receiver of Cooper's caliber since Randy Moss' brief time with the franchise came to a close in 2005. Williams would have been a strong addition to 2014 first-round LB Khalil Mack, but it's hard to argue with this selection.

• 2015 NFL draft tracker: Pick-by-pick grades and scouting reports

Strengths: All those statistical accolades did not come by accident. Knows how to create space for himself and does so all over the field. Bursts out of his routes, with a willingness to head into traffic. Capable of handling the entire route tree, no small feat for a player making the college-to-NFL transition. More speed than people tend to think--noticeable when he gets a step on a cornerback and widens that gap down the length of the field. Not bothered by press coverage at the line. Shows awareness against zone, for the most part, finding gaps for his quarterback. Slick body control. Does not waste movement getting to the catch point, then trusts his hands. May not dominate on jump balls in the NFL but capable of going over the top of DBs. Will be ready to contribute from Day 1. All those statistical accolades did not come by accident. Knows how to create space for himself and does so all over the field. Bursts out of his routes, with a willingness to head into traffic. Capable of handling the entire route tree, no small feat for a player making the college-to-NFL transition. More speed than people tend to think—noticeable when he gets a step on a cornerback and widens that gap down the length of the field. Not bothered by press coverage at the line. Shows awareness against zone, for the most part, finding gaps for his quarterback. Slick body control. Does not waste movement getting to the catch point, then trusts his hands. May not dominate on jump balls in the NFL but capable of going over the top of DBs. Will be ready to contribute from Day 1.

Weaknesses: Fails to fit the “big receiver” mold as several other potential Round 1 prospects will. Drops the occasional pass he should catch, though those mistakes come as a small percentage of his targets. Probably will never be a great run-blocker on the outside and could stand to be a little more physical overall. Almost overreads his routes at times, sitting them down when he doesn’t need to do so. Most anything filed under this category for Cooper is nitpicking. No glaring problems with his game.

Player Comparison: Jordy Nelson

Grade: A-minus

GALLERY: SCENES FROM THE NFL DRAFT

2015 NFL Draft in Pictures

The stage prior to the start of the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Don Juan Moore/Characterlines for Sports Illustrated

Jameis Winston takes the call from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who made him the first pick.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans react after their team drafted former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the first overall pick during the NFL draft party in Tampa, Fla.

Jameis Winston posed for SI in his new team's jersey after he was taken No. 1.

Marcus Mariota at his draft party in Honolulu.

Washington defensive lineman Danny Shelton picks up NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he celebrates after being selected by the Cleveland Browns as the 12th pick.

Fans cheer after Kevin White of the West Virginia Mountaineers was picked seventh by the Chicago Bears.

Bears fans cheer Chicago's selection of Kevin White of West Virginia Mountaineers.

Dante Fowler with commissioner Roger Goodell after being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Stanford offensive lineman Andrus Peat, right, talks to Deion Sanders after being selected by the New Orleans Saints as the 13th pick in the first round.

Green Bay Packers fans cheer during the first round of the draft.

A look at some of the NFL team representatives at the draft.

Kentucky linebacker Bud Dupree celebrates after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 22nd pick in the first round.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans Keith Kunzig and David Miller are excited to have traveled from Florida to be at the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Shane Ray checks out his threads.

Leonard Williams is interviewed outside the draft venue before being taken by the New York Jets.

Jameis Winston waiting for the call.

The scene inside the Jameis Winston draft gathering.

X159534_TK1_174.w.JPG — Kent Nishimura for SI

Marcus Mariotta in Hawaii before the first round began.

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Two Patriots fans in Chicago.

Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly arriving at the NFL Draft.

img_c019-5024.w.JPG — Todd Rosenberg for SI

Chicago mounted police before the first round commenced.

img_3bf6-3442.w.JPG — Todd Rosenberg for SI

Dante Fowler's shoes on draft night.

Chicago welcomed the NFL Draft with open arms.

The view from outside Roosevelt University Auditorium Theatre.

NFL prospect Trae Waynes of Michigan State talks to pediatric patient Alec Cabacungan while doing a mock interview during the NFL PLAY 60 activities at Shriners Hospital for Children on Thursday, April 30 in Chicago.

Published Apr 24, 2015

CHRIS BURKE

Chris Burke covers the NFL for Sports Illustrated and is SI.com’s lead NFL draft expert. He joined SI in 2011 and lives in Ann Arbor, Mich.