Does this five-time Pro Bowl WR make sense for Raiders in a possible reunion?

Could the Raiders entertain bringing back a former WR in a possible reunion?

CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin believes Amari Cooper makes sense in a possible return to Las Vegas, saying "Cooper knows the franchise well" and "they'd use some of their excess salary cap space on a pass target."

Cooper landing back on the Raiders would be a surprise given that he already spent four seasons with the Silver and Black before he was dealt midseason to the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. On top of that, he didn't have anything nice to say about the Raiders on his way out when Jon Gruden was the coach, which could be a black eye for general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll.

It is unknown if both will show interest in Cooper or if they will decide to go with what they already have. The Raiders have $31 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap. That is more than enough to sign any player.

That said, Cooper had a successful short career with the Raiders, notching back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in his first two years in the NFL. He posted two 1,000-yard seasons with the Cowboys, showing signs that he can still get it done then. In 2024, however, he finished with a combined 547 yards and four touchdowns with the Browns and Bills. 

He was brought to the Bills to help QB Josh Allen, but his availability was cut short after a wrist injury slowed Cooper for two games. He played in eight games for the Bills and had 297 receiving yards.

Given that, the Raiders need to err on the side of caution with Cooper if they show interest and also see who else is available, such as Keenan Allen.

Cooper returning to the Raiders doesn't seem like a good idea. His glory days with the Raiders are behind him, and it wouldn't serve the franchise well.