Amari Cooper
WR, Alabama · 2015 NFL Draft, Round 1, pick #4 (OAK)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, availability. Details below.
- Age
21 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.6% of the time (663 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 154 of ~164 possible regular-season games from 2015 through 2024 (~94%). Last NFL season: 2024.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #3 (#1 at his position), close to where he went (#4).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.6% of the time (2,104 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
Alabama: a Power-conference school (our conference list).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.3% of the time (4,181 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Athletic testing
Ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at 211 lbs: faster than 69% of WRs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.5% of the time (2,288 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
WR (WR group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 40.4% of the time (718 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
Every line comes from data: nflverse draft, combine and career data; ESPN's pre-draft ranks. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numbers
| Games | 154 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 9 |
| Pro Bowls | 5 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 66 |
| Passing | undefined/1, 0 yds, undefined TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | 14 att, 41 yds, undefined TD |
| Receiving | 711 rec, 10,033 yds, 64 TD |
| Defense | 2 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2024 |
The 2015 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2015 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 21 or younger | 56.6% n=663 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 | |
| Position WR | 40.4% n=718 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 1", 211 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.42 s |
| Vertical | 33" |
| Broad jump | 120" |
| 3-cone | 6.71 s |
| Shuttle | 3.98 s |
| Age at draft | 21 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #3 overall (#1 WR) |
Picked around him 2015 redraft
| 1 | Jameis Winston | redraft #7 |
| 2 | Marcus Mariota | redraft #10 |
| 3 | Dante Fowler | redraft #60 |
| 5 | Brandon Scherff | redraft #9 |
| 6 | Leonard Williams | redraft #3 |
| 7 | Kevin White | redraft #169 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.