A winning season was not in the cards for Oakland, but the Raiders were competitive for the first time since 2002.
Rookie wide out Amari Cooper played a crucial role, as he totaled 1,070 receiving yards and six scores on 72 catches.
He recorded five 100-yard receiving performances and became the first rookie in franchise history to total 1,000 yards. The former Alabama standout and Heisman finalist also became the first Oakland receiver to put in 1,000 yards in a single season since Randy Moss in 2005.
Two former #SEC players highlight prestigious NFL award:
-Todd Gurley, Amari Cooper named finalists for NFL Rookie of the Year— SEC Breakdown (@SECBreakdown) January 19, 2016
Cooper has been nominated a finalist for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year award and named to the league’s All-Rookie Team, courtesy of the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA). He joins former Southeastern Conference star Todd Gurley and Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston.
Amari Cooper has been named to the @PFWAwriters All-Rookie Team!
Read: https://t.co/ELMJnCEy2R pic.twitter.com/nASl4YyAjB
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 19, 2016
The winner of this award will be announced on Feb. 6 at the NFL Honors show.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
