Scott Davis LA Raider on California’s Oakland Raiders with 4th Overall NFL Draft Pick Select Amari Cooper

Scott Davis Oakland Raider reports on First Day of the NFL Draft for Mark Davis, Reggire McKenzie and the Raiders

Sourced from Mikael Casagrande

Camps were divided about where Amari Cooper would land via the NFL Draft held in Chicago for the first time in the last 5 decades.

The wide receiver Cooper was selected 4th by the Oakland Raiders in the draft’s first round.

There was talk of Cooper being selected as the third pick but it wasn’t so. Several experts felt Cooper might go to Jacksonville Jaguars, but they chose Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler.

Cooper elected to set up camp in Tuscaloosa for the highly promoted night. He wanted to stay away from the limelight and glitz of the network event and relax among friends and family.

Cooper, being the fourth pick, is the highest an Alabama player has been drafted post Trent Richardson who went No. 3 in 2012. Alabama’s boasts a respective top-10 pick in 6 of the past 7 drafts. Alabama has had sixteen first-rounders in the last 5 years.

Cooper is highly touted talent. “He’s one of my favorite players that I’ve had the privilege to coach,” Alabama offensive coordinator and former Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin tweeted. “Best of luck Coop!”

As an Oakland Raider, Cooper will have the benefit of teaming up with veteran Michael Crabtree. The Raiders signed Crabtree, who has been in the league for 6 season, earlier in the month of April. Cooper will also team up with former Alabama running back Trent Richardson who also inked a contract with the Raider Organization this spring.

“His skill set, I mean, he can run a route,” Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said. “It seems like he can do that with his eyes closed. He’s exceptionally quick, fast. He understands the game. You can tell the guy’s been playing football and playing that position all his life. You can tell that.”

While playing for Alabama, Amari Cooper shattered every notable receiver record and did so in just three football seasons. He made 124 catches last season which upended an SEC record and gained 1,727 yards laying waste to all the school’s collegiate football marks. Cooper, as a third year college player, elected to enter the draft this past January.

Scott Davis posts articles on NFL Draft updates about the Oakland Raiders