Jerry Rice Claims Rookie Amari Cooper Will Be ‘Next Tim Brown’ For Raiders

USA Today

The Oakland Raiders have made some solid moves in the NFL Draft over the past two years with the struggling franchise potentially on the verge of finally turning things around. The additions of quarterback Derek Carr and linebacker Khalil Mack were steps in the right direction for Oakland and now it appears they’ve made another leap forward by bringing in wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Apparently, Cooper is receiving a lot of high praise and has many in Oakland believing he may be a star in the making. Hall of Famer and former Raider, Jerry Rice, recently gave Cooper an intriguing comparison. Rice believes Cooper is the next Tim Brown, via Raiders.com:

“They have their new Tim Brown. He’s very much like Tim Brown, very explosive, got speed to burn, really going to strike fear into the opposing team.”

Despite bringing in Carr and Mack last year, the Raiders still finished the season with only three wins. Obviously, not an ideal result for a franchise desperately trying to get back on track, but the two young players provided a glimpse of their potential.

Adding Cooper into the mix along with free-agent acquisition Michael Crabtree and veteran Rod Streater gives Carr the needed pieces in the passing game to make the offense a force to be reckoned with. Carr will also have the advantage of potentially having a potent ground game with Lativius Murray, Trent Richardson and Roy Helu in the backfield as well as perennial Pro Bowl fullback Marcel Reece.

Although no one expects the Raiders to contend of a playoff spot in the AFC next season, Oakland could prove a lot of their doubters wrong. Carr and company have the makings of a promising young squad with a bright future ahead.