NFL free agency 2020: Best wide receivers available

1. Amari Cooper

Following what the Cincinnati Bengals did with their fourth-overall selection in 2011, the Oakland Raiders used the fourth pick of the 2015 draft to take another SEC wide receiver. This time it was Alabama’s Amari Cooper.

Cooper made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons in the NFL. Over the span of time, he caught 155 passes for 2,223 yards with 11 scores. Then the 2017 season came along.

In that 2017 campaign, Cooper wasn’t his usual self. He played in 14 games and finished the season with 680 yards and seven touchdowns. Not terrible considering he missed two games.

Although, he followed that up with only 280 yards and one score in six games with the Raiders in 2018.

Cooper was traded during that 2018 season and the rest has been history. He had 53 catches for 725 yards and six scores with the Dallas Cowboys after being dealt. He racked up 79 grabs for 1,189 yards and eight touchdowns this past season.

Age, talent and finding his form again are the reasons Cooper is easily the number one receiver in free agency this offseason. Just when everyone began to write him off, he proved why he is an elite playmaker. Also, he’s turning just 26 years old.

Outside, downfield, over the middle, Cooper is dynamic enough that he can do it all. Right now, Spotrac.com has his market value at just south of $20 million a year. He could be looking at a deal in the range of $90-100 million over five years.

Since his rookie year in 2015, Cooper is top-10 in receiving yards (5,097) and touchdowns (33). He’s also top-15 in receptions with 357.

Cooper will be paid, and he will make a big difference on offense for the team that signs him.