Courtesy of Matt Harmon - footballguys.com
Read the entire report here: Reception Perception: Amari Cooper Under the Microscope
Here is the final summation:
Translation and The Bottom Line
Reception Perception is still in its infancy as a project, and this is the very first edition covering a draft prospect. The truth is we cannot know exactly how these numbers, or this methodology will translate from the college to the NFL game. However, that is the nature of draft work. What Reception Perception does is illustrate exactly what a prospect does well, and sheds light on the type of player he is.
With very good SRVC scores, and the clear ability to earn separation on film, we know what type of receiver Amari Cooper is. He wins as a route runner, and a player whose quickness can overpower corners at all areas of the field. He also displays excellent intelligence, and timing that will suit NFL offenses—although no Reception Perception numbers can quantify that.
The strong bet is that Cooper will carry over strong SRVC numbers to the NFL. Through three years of experience, he’s gleaned the true art of defeating a corner in multiple ways, on numerous routes and at ever level of the field. Cooper is deceptive and quick in his movement, with the excellent foot frequency to smoothly glide away from corners.
However, his meager success against double coverage, 50% contested catch rate and high drop rate are major causes for concerns. At this time, Amari Cooper is not a strong receiver at the catch point when a defender is there to fight him. He does not have consistent success when asked to get off the ground, either. When the stakes are higher coverage-wise (multiple defenders and contested situation) Cooper’s odds of coming through for his team falls by a good bit. That raises questions about whether he can be the foundational piece of a passing offense.
After putting him through the Reception Perception process, I am quite confident that Amari Cooper will be a very good NFL wide receiver. His skills in the separation game are special. However, the results fall short of predicting a sure-fire number one receiver career path for the Alabama product.
That leads to questions about Amari Cooper’s true draft value. The popular comparisons for a best-case scenario for the soon-to-be-rookie’s career are Roddy White and Reggie Wayne. Cooper does seem to fall along that archetype of receiver, but he will need to work quite hard to become the craftsmen those two became. Cooper is a popular pick in the top five or ten pick in most mock drafts. Is a lesser version of Wayne or White really worth that sort of draft capital? Reception Perception at least raises questions.
However, as mentioned, the true intention of Reception Perception is to ascertain what type of receiver these prospects are. Amari Cooper looks to have a solid all-around skillset, with particular proficiency as a route runner. If he lands in a timing based offense with a precise quarterback, he could fall on the high-end of that Reggie Wayne scale. However, if he goes to an offense, with a risk taker at quarterback, that regularly asks its receivers to make contested catches, he’ll be unfairly labeled a disappointment.
Reception Perception largely paints a positive quantitative picture of the qualitative reality that Amari Cooper is a very good NFL receiving prospect. However, there are a few negative data points that bring into question those willing to label him the unquestioned top receiver in this class. Cooper’s landing spot will determine how much of his positive traits he can deliver on, and the team debating picking him needs to take that into account. If their offense would be better suited to a different type of receiver, perhaps there is another receiver they should select over Amari Cooper.
If you enjoyed this prospect profile, become familiar with Reception Perception and learn about the release of the first annual Reception Perception Project publication. Make sure to follow the series, and bookmark it to prepare for the release of the inaugural edition of the publication this summer.
Read the entire report here: Reception Perception: Amari Cooper Under the Microscope
Here is the final summation:
Translation and The Bottom Line
Reception Perception is still in its infancy as a project, and this is the very first edition covering a draft prospect. The truth is we cannot know exactly how these numbers, or this methodology will translate from the college to the NFL game. However, that is the nature of draft work. What Reception Perception does is illustrate exactly what a prospect does well, and sheds light on the type of player he is.
With very good SRVC scores, and the clear ability to earn separation on film, we know what type of receiver Amari Cooper is. He wins as a route runner, and a player whose quickness can overpower corners at all areas of the field. He also displays excellent intelligence, and timing that will suit NFL offenses—although no Reception Perception numbers can quantify that.
The strong bet is that Cooper will carry over strong SRVC numbers to the NFL. Through three years of experience, he’s gleaned the true art of defeating a corner in multiple ways, on numerous routes and at ever level of the field. Cooper is deceptive and quick in his movement, with the excellent foot frequency to smoothly glide away from corners.
However, his meager success against double coverage, 50% contested catch rate and high drop rate are major causes for concerns. At this time, Amari Cooper is not a strong receiver at the catch point when a defender is there to fight him. He does not have consistent success when asked to get off the ground, either. When the stakes are higher coverage-wise (multiple defenders and contested situation) Cooper’s odds of coming through for his team falls by a good bit. That raises questions about whether he can be the foundational piece of a passing offense.
After putting him through the Reception Perception process, I am quite confident that Amari Cooper will be a very good NFL wide receiver. His skills in the separation game are special. However, the results fall short of predicting a sure-fire number one receiver career path for the Alabama product.
That leads to questions about Amari Cooper’s true draft value. The popular comparisons for a best-case scenario for the soon-to-be-rookie’s career are Roddy White and Reggie Wayne. Cooper does seem to fall along that archetype of receiver, but he will need to work quite hard to become the craftsmen those two became. Cooper is a popular pick in the top five or ten pick in most mock drafts. Is a lesser version of Wayne or White really worth that sort of draft capital? Reception Perception at least raises questions.
However, as mentioned, the true intention of Reception Perception is to ascertain what type of receiver these prospects are. Amari Cooper looks to have a solid all-around skillset, with particular proficiency as a route runner. If he lands in a timing based offense with a precise quarterback, he could fall on the high-end of that Reggie Wayne scale. However, if he goes to an offense, with a risk taker at quarterback, that regularly asks its receivers to make contested catches, he’ll be unfairly labeled a disappointment.
Reception Perception largely paints a positive quantitative picture of the qualitative reality that Amari Cooper is a very good NFL receiving prospect. However, there are a few negative data points that bring into question those willing to label him the unquestioned top receiver in this class. Cooper’s landing spot will determine how much of his positive traits he can deliver on, and the team debating picking him needs to take that into account. If their offense would be better suited to a different type of receiver, perhaps there is another receiver they should select over Amari Cooper.
If you enjoyed this prospect profile, become familiar with Reception Perception and learn about the release of the first annual Reception Perception Project publication. Make sure to follow the series, and bookmark it to prepare for the release of the inaugural edition of the publication this summer.
