One tough year hasn’t diminished Amari Cooper in the eyes of the Oakland Raiders.
According to a press release from the team’s relations department, the Raiders chose to exercise the fifth-year option of Cooper’s contract on Monday. Since being selected with the fourth overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, the Miami (Fla.) native has done nothing but produce.
As a rookie, he became the first receiver since Randy Moss (2005) to total 1,000 yards and he amassed the yardage in back-to-back seasons – recording 1,070 (2015) and 1,153 yards (2016).
Cooper reeled in 155 receptions combined with 11 touchdowns in 2015 and 2016, while averaging 14.4 yards per catch. He was targeted over 100 times in both years and his efforts landed him an invitation to two Pro Bowls. Injuries set the former University of Alabama standout back last season, seeing how he caught just 48 passes for 680 yards.
Despite an increase in touchdowns (seven), issues with his left ankle and suffering a concussion limited him from having a dominated third year. In one of his first pressers as the Raiders’ newest head coach, Jon Gruden talked on how Cooper will be the ‘focal point’ on offense next season.
Before entering the NFL, he was Alabama’s all-time leader in receptions (228) receiving yards (3,463) and touchdown receptions (31). His 1,000-yard season in 2012 (freshman year) helped the Crimson Tide win its second BCS national championship under head coach, Nick Saban.
After sustaining a toe injury in 2013, Cooper would re-write the school’s history book for single-season receptions, yards and touchdowns – amassing 124 catches for 1,724 yards and 16 scores as the program would capture a Southeastern Conference championship in the 2014 season.
His deal with the Raiders will go through the 2019 season.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
