The Las Vegas Raiders took a risk this offseason trying to escape their recent cycle of mediocre campaigns. They decided to trade for Geno Smith and bring in Pete Carroll, expecting to establish a higher production floor for the squad and a different culture.
Staying aggressive, the Raiders could still look to bolster their wide receiver corps by adding a proven veteran. An NFL analyst has mentioned the franchise as an ideal destination for a wide receiver who has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times and was recently part of an AFC finalist.
Raiders Selected As a Top Landing Spot For WR Amari Cooper
Over the past 10 years, the Raiders have made the playoffs just twice, both times losing in the wild-card round without much of a shot at the Super Bowl. In 2024, the team was one of the worst in the league, but in prior seasons, the issue was more a lack of inspiration than outright poor performance, which delayed what many viewed as a necessary rebuild.
Las Vegas entered the offseason determined to solve the ongoing quarterback drama that has plagued the team for three straight seasons. Smith was brought in not necessarily to lead a Super Bowl run in Year 1, but to steady the ship. The Smith and Carroll pairing is designed to make the team competitive again and lay the foundation for the future.
Even after using the No. 6 overall pick on running back Ashton Jeanty, one of the draft’s top offensive prospects, the Raiders still lack a reliable veteran presence at wide receiver. According to Cody Benjamin in an article for CBS Sports, a name that could be a strong fit is Amari Cooper.
Last season, Cooper lost the lead role he held in 2023, when he posted 1,250 yards for the Cleveland Browns. He was traded midseason to the Buffalo Bills, where he didn’t find much success. His most notable play came on a broken route with Josh Allen against the San Francisco 49ers, using his football IQ to create one of the most memorable touchdowns of the year.
“Amari Cooper to Josh Allen for the TD!” is a new one 😂
📺: #SFvsBUF on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/scnnIT0NOL– NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2024
“The one area that could still use veteran help is wide receiver, and Cooper knows the franchise well, beginning his career with the Raiders and briefly working alongside current quarterbacks coach Greg Olson. If they’re serious about competing immediately under new head man Pete Carroll, it makes sense they’d use some of their excess salary cap space on a pass target,” Benjamin wrote.
Cooper is no longer the star he once was, but a reunion with the Raiders could be exactly what he needs to reignite his production. His game, built on crisp route running and reliable hands, would complement Smith’s play style and provide a steadying presence alongside Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Dont’e Thornton Jr., and Jack Bech.
Note that the Raiders are projected to win just six games this season, even with the franchise’s new offensive-minded approach. The reality is that the AFC West has become one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, and it’s shaping up to be a challenging year for the team with the least overall talent in the group. A familiar face like Cooper could help bridge the gap.