The Oakland Raiders have decided to exercise wide receiver Amari Cooper's fifth-year option for 2019 on Monday, the team announced on their official website. The option is set to be worth around $13.9 million.
Cooper, 23, was the Raiders’ fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He quickly justified Oakland’s decision to draft him that high as he had an excellent first two years in the league. He totaled 155 catches for 2,223 yards and 11 touchdowns and was named to the Pro Bowl in both years.
However, he suffered a significant dropoff last season as he was limited to just 48 catches (on 96 targets) with 680 yards, which were both behind veteran tight end Jared Cook on the team rankings. Although, Cooper did still catch a career-high seven touchdowns. He was also suffering from an ankle injury for most of the season. That took its toll on his performance and limited him to 14 games.
Drops remain a major flaw in Cooper’s game. But despite that one shortcoming, Cooper possesses just about every other tool necessary to be a top wide receiver in the league. New head coach Jon Gruden has consistently talked up his plan to give Cooper a central role in his new offense this offseason and expects him to have a big year in 2018.
Cooper will be the team’s undisputed No. 1 option this upcoming season on a receiving corps which lost Michael Crabtree and added veteran Jordy Nelson. But beyond those two, the Raiders don’t have many other reliable threats at wide receiver on their roster.
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