2015 NFL Draft: Top 5 Players in the Draft
By Chris West
Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide receiver Amari Cooper (9) runs after a reception against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Amari Cooper
College Team: Alabama
Size: 6′ 1″, 211 lbs.
Speed: 40yd-4.42, 10yd-1.61
Measurements: Arms-31 and 1/2″, Hands-10″
Amari Cooper had an amazing 2014 season. He finished with 124 catches for 1727 yards and 16 touchdowns. Cooper’s stats are an astounding achievement for a WR in the very tough South Eastern Conference.
Cooper began his career at Alabama by breaking Julio Jones’ freshmen school records. After missing games to injury in his sophomore season, Cooper finished his career at Alabama as the best receiver in all of college football.
Cooper has excellent speed and quickness and uses them well to set up defenders
Strengths:
Cooper excels at getting open and making himself an easy target for his QB. He is as adept at turning a short pass into a long gain as he is at beating defensive backs deep for touchdowns.
Cooper has excellent speed and quickness and uses them well to set up defenders. He is rarely caught from behind. Cooper runs the complete route tree with equal expertise.
Weaknesses:
Although a willing blocker, Cooper struggles to match his receiving success when blocking. He needs to improve as a run blocker to be a complete receiver in the NFL.
Searching for other weaknesses in Cooper’s game is tough. He has had a problem with dropped passes. The game may be so easy for Cooper at the college level that he loses focus leading to the drops.
Redskins fit:
Cooper’s all around receiving ability makes him an easy player to fit into any offense. With the Redskins, Cooper would easily win the slot receiver spot as a rookie. By his second season, he may be the #1 target of the teams quarterbacks and would eventually be a top 10 WR in the NFL.
With DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon costing the team around $19 million combined in each of the next two seasons, one or both of them could become expendable. Andre Roberts would be a prime candidate to be cut in 2016 as well if he is relegated to a 4th or 5th WR spot.
Coming soon: Best Available Player for the Redskins #6-#10.