Potential Chicago Bears Draft Targets: Amari Cooper

The Alabama wide receiver snagged 124 receptions for 16 touchdowns in 2014

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be profiling 10 of the players that the Chicago Bears could be eye-balling to take with the number seven overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. We’ll be evaluating where they would fit in with the Bears, what teams could potentially pick them off ahead of Chicago, and ultimately whether or not the Bears should take them.

So as not to spoil our mock draft, we’ll go alphabetically through the list, and that decision brings us to the SEC today as we take a look at University of Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper.

The Details:

If a fan were to bet on which offensive skill position player is going to have the best NFL career, a smart investment would be putting money down on Cooper. In the 2014 season with the Crimson Tide, Cooper racked up 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns, and he continued to impress at the NFL Combine as he ran a 4.42 second 40-yard dash and had a 33 inch vertical leap.

He isn’t the fastest receiver, and he doesn’t jump the highest, but when it comes to pure skill and playmaking ability, Cooper has got it in spades.

What He’d Bring to the Bears:

The Bears’ offensive strategy over the past two seasons has been to throw the ball up in the air and let Brandon Marshall or Alshon Jeffery come down with it. With Marshall now with the New York Jets, the team can add some versatility to their wide receiver ranks, and Cooper fits that bill. He isn’t blazing fast by any stretch, but he does add speed to the equation and will give the Bears a legitimate deep ball threat down the field, and Jay Cutler would potentially find a new favorite target.

Other Teams That Could Target Him:

Outside of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it seems as though just about every team picking ahead of the Bears could use a player like Cooper. The Oakland Raiders could be a good bet at the fourth position, and the New York Jets could use the sixth pick on him if they don’t get a chance to go after Marcus Mariota. Cooper could even go as high as number two depending on what the Tennessee Titans do.

Should the Bears Take Him?

We may hem and haw over some of the players on this list, but if the Bears get a chance to take Cooper, they would be silly not to. He is a potential game-breaking player for an offense that is going to be interesting to watch as they try to replace Marshall (and get the most out of Cutler), and Adam Gase will likely be lobbying hard for Ryan Pace to pull the trigger and draft Cooper if he’s available in the seven slot.

Contact Us