Fans typically roll their eyes when former players speak out against their old teams. But Lincoln Kennedy’s warning about Amari Cooper returning to Las Vegas carries weight that goes beyond nostalgia.
The former All-Pro right tackle isn’t just throwing around opinions here. He’s pointing to real problems that could haunt the Raiders if they chase a big name instead of building smart.
Why Does Lincoln Kennedy Think Amari Cooper Is A Wrong Fit for Las Vegas?
The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves at a crossroads. With Pete Carroll taking the reins and quarterback Geno Smith under center, the team looks to possess stability finally. After Jon Gruden resigned due to an email controversy in 2021, the once-proud franchise struggled with sustaining consistency.
Now, general manager John Spytek, along with Carroll and Smith, hopes to reinstall the “Commitment to Excellence” mantra that became a part of the organization’s history.
Cooper’s name surfaced as a potential name for a receiver, as do many when training camp starts. However, Lincoln Kennedy, a former right tackle turned analyst, definitely wants no part of a return. He aired this opinion on the “Raiders Squad Show” podcast.
“He’s a solid receiver when you get him in open space, but not a good route-running receiver for what I think the Raiders need. I think they have something like that already on their roster.”
He continued, “It doesn’t make sense for me to go out and spend money over a name. That’s all it is right now. That’s all. Amari Cooper is a name. And I don’t think they should do it.”
What Do the Numbers Say About Cooper’s Recent Performance?
If Kennedy had said this during the first seven years of Cooper’s career, you would have been hard-pressed to find merit in his words. In that time frame, Cooper made four Pro Bowls and earned a reputation for tracing good routes and gaining separation.
However, his Dallas departure signaled a downturn in his career. Granted, he made a Pro Bowl as a member of the Cleveland Browns in 2023, but catching 56.3%Â of your targets doesn’t really elicit smiles and kudos.
Since then, to Kennedy’s point, the 31-year-old regressed on the field. For example, Cooper dropped 29 passes over the last three seasons.
Meanwhile, the Raiders already employ a veteran receiver to mentor the younger wideouts and get them up to speed. Jakobi Meyers may not possess Cooper’s small speed, but he does possess better hands. In 91 career games with 70 starts, the 28-year-old caught 67.9% of his targets.
Basically, he’s doing what many envision Cooper would do, just with less wear and tear and far better hands.
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At first glance, Kennedy’s assertions look like meaningless criticism from a former player with an emotional investment in a team. However, the stats back up his point.
Ten years ago, the then-Oakland Raiders made Amari Cooper the fourth-overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft with the hopes that he would transform their receiver room. Fast forward 10 years, and the current version of the former Alabama product does not fit this incarnation of the Raiders.
