Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie took care of quarterback Derek Carr last year with a long-term contract, and he’s working on locking up star defensive end Khalil Mack this offseason. But, looming on the horizon is a decision on how to proceed with No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper. The longer McKenzie waits, the higher
Long-term contract for WR Amari Cooper a year off, but potential cost keeps soaring
Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie, coach Jon Gruden have tough call to make with No. 1 receiver
I’ve posed this very question to a bunch of guys who cover the Raiders nd they’ve all ignored me: Should they trade Cooper right now for a high draft pick, several higher end picks, or maybe for picks and a top-tier defensive player?
Fact is, SB winners don’t need a $15m WR. The Pats have been winning year after year with garbage WRs.
Other fact is that Cooper has terrible hands and can’t be counted on for those big catches. Landry and the others making $15m have incredible hands, except for Watkins, whom the dumbass Chiefs overpaid to get.
Trade him on draft day for a top-20 pick and another 2nd round pick!
Cooooop! When you say 37% of “their” cap allotment, do you mean specifically the Raiders cap? If so I say pay coop.
Aside from A. Brown who I think is a freaking alien, Coop can be better than all those other high-paid receivers. Best thing for the Raiders to do is the 5th year option to lock him in and see how he improves/bounces back or even takes the next step this season.
I remember when Cooper was at Alabama and I saw serveral games he dropped very catchable balls (ex see LSU games) “Hmm, that’s a problem” i said to myself
When I brought this up to colleagues, they said it wasn’t a problem
Well, it IS a problem. Cooper is not elite unless he eliminates the drops, which I don’t think he will.
If problem continues, my recommendation is to trade him next off season
He has to increase production and stop the drops. Its that simple.
If he has a great season this year and the 5th yr option is picked up, I would make him play the 5th yr out before giving him the new contract.
Players having great years in contract years happens all the time. I would want him to put 2 consecutive years together with great production and fewer drops.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Cooper, but I don’t think he has proven himself to be an elite receiver, yet. I would hesitate to pay hims as one until he actually shows some consistency over the course of 16 games. I’m guessing that there will be some contract restructuring to get more cap space in the future.
I don’t think he has proven himself to be an elite receiver, yet.
But he has to increase production and stop the drops. Its that simple.