Raiders pick up WR Cooper’s fifth-year option

--- NFLDraftScout.com ---

The Oakland Raiders exercised the fifth-year option on wide receiver Amari Cooper, extending his contract through the 2019 season, the team announced Monday.

The announcement comes as no surprise, even though Cooper’s production declined in 2017.

The Raiders released wide receiver Michael Crabtree and signed wide receiver Jordy Nelson, but they still might consider taking a wide receiver at some point during NFL Draft, which runs from Thursday through Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

If Cooper, 23, were to play under a fifth-year option in 2019, he would make approximately $13.9 million.

The Raiders eventually may try to sign him to a contract extension that would guarantee him more money but would count less against the salary cap, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

Teams have until May 3 to exercise fifth-year options on 2015 first-round selections.

The Raiders drafted Cooper in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. Over his first three years, the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder totaled 203 receptions for 2,903 yards and 18 touchdowns in 46 games.

He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons.

After catching 83 passes for 1,153 yards and five touchdowns in 2016, Cooper had 48 receptions for 680 yards and seven scores last season.

New Raiders head coach Jon Gruden said earlier the Raiders’ offense will rely heavily on Cooper this coming season.

“He’ll be the focal point of our offense,” Gruden said, per NBC Sports Bay Area. “He has tremendous quickness. He’s smart, versatile and he’s a gamer. He likes the bright lights, and he’ll be the headliner in our offense.”