The Oakland Raiders have been busy getting ready for the upcoming 2017 NFL season. With official training camp well underway, all eyes will be on the Raiders to see if they live up to the lofty expectations everyone has set for them.
Amari Cooper will be a key part of Oakland’s offensive attack next season as the wide receiver has proven to be a handful for opposing defenses. His blend of size, speed, and catching ability should be on full display once again and according to Scott Bair of NBC Sports Cooper believes hitting 1,000 yards next season will not be difficult:
It’s not really that hard to get a 1,000 yards in a 16-game season,” Cooper said. “I’ve had a lot of games where I didn’t produce like I thought I should’ve. I definitely have a lot to improve on and I feel like I can make that improvement this year.
Cooper’s confidence speaks volumes about where he is mentally headed into the season. The high bar the wideout has set for himself is justified when looking at his production the previous two seasons as Cooper’s surpassed the 1,000-yard mark both times. However, the 2015 No. 4 overall pick noted earlier in the offseason that he understands he tends to fade during the latter half of the season and is ready to change the narrative.
Cooper should find more space on the field when he lines up alongside fellow receiver Michael Crabtree and newly acquired tight end Jared Cook. With more passing threats on offense, expect Cooper to break out as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
