The Raiders have until May 3 to exercise Amari Cooper‘s fifth-year option, a decision that is nothing short of a no-brainer. Ideally, however, the Raiders would like to lock up the star wide receiver for the long haul. Discussions on a new contract appear to be underway. 
“We’ve been in contact with his agent,” McKenzie said (via PFT). “I don’t want to put anything out there, don’t want to put the cart before the horse so to speak, but we like Amari.”
The fifth-year option for Cooper would cost the Raiders $13.924MM in 2019, but a new multi-year deal would have to provide Cooper with more than that on an average annual basis. The high-priced deals signed by this year’s free agent receivers, as well as the mega-extension for Bucs wideout Mike Evans, will only boost Cooper’s leverage in talks.
Coooper, who doesn’t turn 24 until June, has more than 2,900 receiving yards over the past three years. He positioned himself as one of the league’s best receivers right out of the gate as a rookie when he earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2015. He earned Pro Bowl honors once again in 2016 when he caught 83 passes for 1,153 yards and five scores.
Cooper’s numbers were less impressive last year, but he’ll look to get back on track under new head coach Jon Gruden. Opposing defenses will be paying some attention to new WR2 Jordy Nelson, though it’s debatable as to whether he is a bigger threat to teams than former teammate Michael Crabtree.
I wonder if they’re gonna talk to him about all the dropped passes that we’re right in his hands last year
Maybe I’m watching the game the wrong way, but Cooper doesn’t pass the eye test as a number one wide receiver. He has big games from time to time, but he drops too many passes and disappears far too often.
As a Chiefs fan I’m obligated to watch all the raider games in the biggest thing I noticed last year was Carr was not 100%. I don’t know if that contributes to Cooper’s output but there was a lot of miss throws a miscommunication between those two
Nelson will benefit more from Cooper being in formations than Cooper will benefit from Nelson.
I understand your QB matters. I mean Moss went from doo doo in Oakland to setting records in NE but Cooper has some glaring issues. The drops are huge. If he is looking for more than 10M a year, it’s probably time to wave goodbye. He’s not that kind of player who is going to best guys for the ball. Remember in his best years, he was marginally better than Crabtree who was more effective than Cooper in the red zone. You don’t pay a 1000 yard receiver and barely at that a bunch of money. He was dependent on Carr who they are already committed to. They might be better served in finding his replacement in this draft.