Amari Cooper – MDHQ http://www.mockdrafthq.com Updated Mock Drafts, Prospect Rankings, Scouting Reports Sat, 13 Dec 2014 23:33:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Is Amari Cooper as Special as Advertised? http://www.mockdrafthq.com/2014/12/amari-cooper-special-advertised.html Tue, 16 Dec 2014 23:15:55 +0000 http://www.mockdrafthq.com/?p=6965 As you know, I am currently answering questions from Twitter regarding the 2015 NFL Draft class. I appreciate the opportunity to answer these questions for everyone here on MDHQ. Today’s question is one of the wide receiver variation:

is Amari Cooper as special as advertised? Do you believe he can impact a game like AJ/Julio/Calvin/Demaryius/Dez? -bariiisworld13 (Twitter)

To answer the question simply: no. I know we are all excited over Cooper’s last few games but we have to remember this was against an Auburn team that simply refused to adjust their scheme. Not to say he isn’t a special talent, but he isn’t in that ELITE class you mentioned.

Calvin Johnson has physical tools that isn’t regularly duplicated at the position. Demariyus Thomas and Dez Bryant are also bigger more physical players who play as much at the line of scrimmage than they do down-field. Cooper is only 6-1 210 so he’s solid but not a genetic freak. I cannot really compare Cooper to AJ Green because Green has Moss-like leaping and catching ability that sets him apart from the rest of the group.

Julio Jones is a slightly bigger and more physical player (6-3 220+) and hence he gets injured often. They are comparable in their games but I’d hesitate to make a lazy Alabama-to-Alabama comparison.

When I watch Amari Cooper I see an injury-free version of Jeremy Maclin. Both are smooth route runners who don’t drop a lot of passes (what’s up Demariyus and Julio) and they have the speed to legitimately command safety help at all times.

I currently have Cooper projected as a top 5-6 pick so he’s still a guy you want on your squad even minus the physical tools.

Thanks for the question:

]]> 2015 Heisman Finalists Announced: Who Will Win? http://www.mockdrafthq.com/2014/12/2015-heisman-finalists-announced-will-win.html Thu, 11 Dec 2014 01:17:34 +0000 http://www.mockdrafthq.com/?p=6951 The Athletic Club has announced a few of the Heisman finalists for the 2014 season. As no surprise this year’s class is headed by Melvin Gordon and Marcus Mariota.

1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel announces the three finalists for 2014: Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Alabama receiver Amari Cooper and Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon. -ESPN

So who will win?

I think it’s beyond obvious that Marcus Mariota will take home the hardware. Mariota boasts an impressive stat line of 3783 yards 38 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He also put down another 669 yards on the ground with 14 touchdowns. The Ducks are also #2 in the country with a 12-1 record.

Melvin Gordon is your likely second place runner up. Gordon has 2336 yards and 26 touchdowns of his own, but he’s shown an affinity to fumble the ball which voters will likely hold against him. #13 Wisconsin also finished up the season with a 59-0 loss at the hands of Ohio State which does Gordon no favors (76 yards.)

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