Amari Cooper is a No. 1 WR, but Raiders need him to be elite

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper needs to take his game to the next level.

Amari Cooper has flashes of absolute brilliance.

During Sunday's 19-16 win over the San Diego Chargers, the Oakland Raiders wide receiver caught a pass from quarterback Derek Carr along the right sideline, nimbly sidestepped a couple defenders and took it upfield for a 28-yard gain. On that play, Cooper displayed all the impressive qualities that made him the fourth-overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

The problem? That was his only catch of the game.

"It'd be nice to get (Cooper) some balls," Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said on Monday, per Jimmy Durkin of the Bay Area News Group, "but we're more interested in stacking up wins."

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Del Rio may have downplayed Cooper's lack of receptions, but the star receiver's habit of going missing for long periods of time could prove to be problematic at some point. Carr's not going to be able to complete 19 attempts to 10 different receivers, like he did against the Chargers in Week 15.

Carr only targeted Cooper three times on Sunday. Crabtree was the most worked receiver with six catches on eight targets, totaling 60 yards and a touchdown — Oakland's only six-point play of the outing.

Now, part of the reason why Crabtree was so open was because Cooper draws extra attention in coverage. That's the sign of a true No. 1 receiver. An elite player at the position, however, will get open against those double-teams, demand the ball and make plays.

Three targets and one reception are both season-low marks for Cooper; 28 yards is his second lowest output of the season. He has now failed to eclipse 30 receiving yards in three of the past four games.

The Raiders drafted Cooper fourth overall not just to be their No. 1 receiver, but to establish himself among the elite playmakers at his position.

Follow Kevin Boilard on Twitter: @247KevinBoilard

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