The Washington Redskins have called the Oakland Raiders to gauge their interest in trading wide receiver Amari Cooper, ESPN reported Sunday.
Last week, it was reported the Raiders were exploring dealing Cooper, the fourth overall pick in 2015, before the league’s Oct. 30 trade deadline. Oakland, however, has been “adamant” they want a first-round pick in return, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
While it’s not known how the Redskins feel about that asking price, it makes sense Washington would be interested in Cooper.
For one, the Redskins have been hurt at an already thin receiving corps — with Jamison Crowder (ankle) and Paul Richardson (shoulder, knee) both injured. But on top of that, Washington hasn’t gotten a lot of production from the group. Richardson leads the unit with 212 yards in five games.
Oakland, too, is coached by Jon Gruden, the brother of Redskins coach Jay Gruden.
Jon Gruden holds significant personnel influence with the Raiders, and he was seen as the driving force behind the team’s decision to trade star Khalil Mack last month to the Chicago Bears.
For the Raiders, Cooper has been boon or bust throughout his career.
As the Associated Press’ Josh Dubow pointed out, Cooper has had 13 games in which he’s finished with at least 100 yards, counting the postseason. But there have been 19 times when he’s been held to less than 30 yards receiving.
In 52 regular and postseason games with #Raiders, Amari Cooper has 13 100-yard games and 19 games when he’s been held to less than 30 yards receiving.
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) October 14, 2018
This season, Cooper has 280 yards on 22 catches for just one touchdown. He’s coming off a disappointing 2017 in which he had just 680 yards on 48 receptions.
In Cooper’s first two seasons, he had 1,070 and 1,153 yards, respectively.
Besides the Redskins, the Dallas Cowboys and the Indianapolis Colts are interested in Cooper, according to ESPN.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.