When Pete Carroll took over as Las Vegas Raiders head coach, he had to know that wide receiver was kind of an issue for the team heading into 2025.
After all, other than Jakobi Meyers, the Raiders did not have a whole lot of talent at the position. Not after trading Davante Adams midway through last season.
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While Las Vegas struck out on wide outs during the heat of free agency in March, it did add a couple of very intriguing rookies in Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton. Then, more recently, the Raiders circled back around and signed Amari Cooper, who initially spent the first three-and-a-half seasons of his career with the franchise between 2015 and 2018.
But how much will Cooper actually see the field following a rather subpar 2024 campaign for the five-time Pro Bowler?
Well, if Carroll’s comments are any indication, Cooper will have a significant role, and it could mean less playing time for Bech and Thornton.
“We thought a chance to add a guy like [Cooper], with experience, really to help our young guys, might really suit us well,” Carroll told reporters. “And so, for Dont’e on the outside, they’ll be doing a lot of the same stuff. I think Amari’s way can affect him and help him come along. There’s a lot of pressure for him to be the only X over there that we’re kind of going with, so I think this really balances us out well. And I hope it really suits Jack and Dont’e.”
The Raiders used second and fourth-round picks on Bech and Thornton, respectively. Both receivers are compelling talents, and Thornton in particular clearly has game-breaking potential after averaging a ridiculous 25.4 yards per catch at Tennessee last season.
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That being said, the two rookies are still rough around the edges, so it makes sense for Las Vegas to bring in a grizzled veteran like Cooper.
Cooper caught 44 passes for 547 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games between the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills last season. However, he is just two years removed from racking up a career-high 1,250 yards.
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