The Raiders are 11-37 over the past three seasons and haven’t had a winning season since 2002.
Yet suddenly, things are looking brighter in Oakland.
With a new head coach and coaching staff, some strong pickups in free agency and now a productive draft – including wide receiver Amari Cooper, who some have called the best player available in the entire draft – national perceptions of the Raiders are changing.
Former NFL player and head coach Herm Edwards, now an analyst for ESPN, said he believes the Raiders’ draft class is the best in the AFC.
And Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN believes the addition of Cooper alone, with the No. 4 overall pick, makes the Raiders better.
“I don’t know if a team hit a bigger home run early in the draft than the Raiders did with Amari Cooper,” he said. “Give the Raiders credit for taking the best value at a clear need and passing on tempting options such as Kevin White and Leonard Williams.”
Now, Adam Schein of NFL.com has included the Raiders in his projection of “teams on the rise” in the NFL.
Sports
Schein ranks the Raiders fifth among teams he believes will take some big steps forward in 2015, behind the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Even though the Raiders are in a tough division, with the Broncos, Chiefs and Chargers, Schein believes they’ll be much better than their 3-13 record in 2014.
“Oakland suddenly has a good young core and an energetic new coach in Jack Del Rio,” he wrote. “The Raiders are on track to win eight games and perhaps avoid the basement in the AFC West. That’s progress.”
Again, much of that is due to the addition of Cooper, who gives Oakland a true No. 1 wide receiver option for second-year quarterback Derek Carr.
“Cooper is special,” wrote Schein. “He’s an instant-impact, do-it-all receiver. It was a glaring need for Oakland. Young quarterback Derek Carr gets to grow with a stud playmaker who starred at one of the nation’s best true college football powerhouses. Is it too early to choose Cooper for Offensive Rookie of the Year? This pick is that perfect.
“Finally, Oakland has a true No. 1 receiver – and legit hope.”
