Bigger...Stronger...Better

With the influx of media from Las Vegas chasing down Derek Carr and Khalil Mack whenever possible during training camp, Amari Cooper has usually been able to sneak his way on and off the practice field without much attention.

- Michael Wagaman

That’s not an easy thing to do for Cooper, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in his first two years in the NFL. It’s even tougher after packing on 7 pounds of muscle in the off season, which Cooper did with the hopes of further establishing himself as one of the league’s elite wide receivers.

From his broad shoulders and thick chest to his even more chiseled legs, the 23-year-old is bigger and stronger than he ever has been.

There is purpose, too, behind Cooper’s new look. As good as he has been since joining the Raiders as the fourth overall pick in 2015, there have also been times when Cooper has had problems holding onto the ball or when he’s suddenly disappeared from the game plan.

That, Cooper says, it what is his motivation heading into the 2017 season. That, and getting Oakland deeper into the postseason.

“It’s not really that hard to get a 1,000 yards in a 16-game season,” Cooper said. “I’ve had a lot of games where I didn’t produce like I thought I should’ve. I definitely have a lot to improve on and I feel like I can make that improvement this year.”