The NFL’s best outside receivers, No. 9: Amari Cooper, Raiders

Neither Cooper nor the Raiders could keep the early momentum rolling into December and January, but the upside is obvious.

A bit speculative in nature to put Cooper this high up the rankings already, ahead of a plethora of more proven options. But the 2015 No. 4 pick wasted little time last season showing why the Raiders have such lofty hopes for he and Derek Carr together. Cooper topped 100 yards receiving in three of his first six games while Oakland emerged as a surprise wild-card contender. Neither Cooper nor his team could keep the momentum rolling into December and January, but the upside is obvious. Cooper finished with 1,070 yards and nine TDs last season, and that should be his floor moving forward.