Amari Cooper: SEC defensive backs as talented as NFL players
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper believes that NFL defensive backs are better overall than those of the SEC, but not because they are more talented physically.
According to Cooper, the factor that sets NFL and SEC players apart is their intelligence.
“Overall guys are better, but overall guys are smarter,” Cooper said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “And that’s the biggest thing: Guys are smarter. The talent level, to me, probably is about the same coming from the SEC. But they’re smarter, so it makes them better.”
Cooper dominated college football during his time at Alabama, winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award and being named a unanimous All-American in 2014.
He translated that performance into a very good rookie year with the Raiders, recording 72 catches for 1,070 yards and six touchdowns. He earned a trip to the Pro Bowl and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team.
