Amari Cooper has been one of the most reliable wide receivers of his generation since coming into the NFL way back in 2015.
Cooper was originally a first-round pick of the then-Oakland Raiders in the 2015 draft. Cooper had a legendary career at Alabama, and continued to perform at the NFL level. Through 10 seasons and four different teams, Cooper has consistently performed and has been selected to five Pro Bowls.
This offseason, though, Cooper stayed available on the free agent market for quite a while. The receiver is now on the wrong side of 30 and had his worst season in 2024, so it makes sense why some teams were hesitant to add the veteran.
However, Cooper finally reached a deal with a team on Monday, and it’s a reunion of sorts for the receiver. Cooper will join the Las Vegas Raiders- the original franchise that drafted him and where he spent his first four seasons.
Of course, when Cooper played for the team, they were still in Oakland. Josh Dubow of the Associated Press pointed out that Kolton Miller is the only current Raider who was on the Raiders when Cooper last played for the team in 2018.
Miller was the Raiders’ first-round pick in the 2018 draft, and he’s been one of the more reliable tackles in the league since then. Dubow also pointed out that kicker Daniel Carlson almost made the cut, as the kicker was signed by the Raiders just two days after Cooper was traded to the Cowboys.
Some of that can be attributed to it being almost seven years since Cooper last suited up for the Raiders, but it can also be attributed to the massive turnover the franchise has seen. Franchise legend Maxx Crosby wasn’t even a Raider yet the last time Cooper played for the team, which really puts into perspective how long it has been.
It’s not hard to see why the Raiders wanted Cooper back. The team has a very young receiver room, with Jakobi Meyers representing the only player other than Cooper with more than two years of experience.
Some of Cooper’s best seasons have come with the Raiders. The receiver earned Pro Bowl selections in three of his four seasons with the team and surpassed the 1,000-yard mark three times as well.
In 2025, Cooper will likely slot in behind Dont’e Thornton and Tre Tucker on the outside. The veteran may have lost a step, but he is still one of the best route-runners in the league and he rarely drops a pass.
