5 reasons the Antonio Brown trade is great for the Raiders

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 23: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 09: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) catches a touchdown pass during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles on December 9, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Texas. Dallas defeats Philadelphia 29-23 in overtime.(Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Upgrading Amari Cooper

During the 2018 season, the Raiders pawned Amari Cooper off to the highest bidder. The Dallas Cowboys proved to be that high bidder, and Cooper was sent to Dallas. This trade, like the Mack trade, got a lot of scrutiny because it appeared as though Gruden was operating egotistically, rather than trying to do what’s best for the team.

Cooper had been inconsistent and injured during his final days in Oakland, but he was a legitimate threat and the team’s number-one receiver during his three and half seasons in Oakland. In a short-period of time, Carr went from having Cooper and Michael Crabtree at receiver, to relying on a 33-year old Jordy Nelson.

Nelson did play well, but Brown would allow fans to turn the page on Cooper and also provide Carr with a playmaking receiver. In Cooper’s first two seasons in the NFL, he racked up 1,000+ receiving yards for the Raiders. Last year, Oakland’s leader in receiving yards was tight end, and impending free agent, Jared Cook.

While Gruden goes fishing for that Mack replacement, adding Brown will pacify the Cooper trade and it will show that Gruden isn’t driving the team directly into the ground. Brown is an upgrade from Cooper, and he still has a lot left in the tank.

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