The solution to Colin Kaepernick's hopes of becoming an elite quarterback could have nothing to do with his offseason work with Kurt Warner or the new San Francisco coaching staff's plans for him.
Goldengatesports.com reports that all the 49ers need to do to get Kaepernick to the next level is draft Alabama's Amari Cooper in the 2015 NFL Draft.
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"Given how thin the 49ers currently are at the wide receiver spot, Kaepernick hasn't had a lot of support on offense," Goldengatesports.com wrote. "To remedy this, the 49ers need to bring in players who can accommodate Kaepernick's abilities. With a poor offensive line and wide receivers who can't seem to run proper routes or create separation, Kaepernick has had to rely on his legs as he desperately tries to create a play.
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"...Cooper, who was first team All-American out of the University of Alabama, put together one heck of a career in only three seasons, against arguably the best defensive conference in college football. Cooper put up 124 receptions, 1727 yards, and 16 touchdowns in his junior season, carrying the offensive load for the Crimson Tide."
The caveat is that despite goldengatesports.com's assertion that Cooper's stock has fallen since the combine, he isn't exactly a draft secret. He was the 2014 SEC Offensive Player of the Year and the winner of the Biletnikoff Award that goes annually to college football's top wide receiver.
The 49ers select 15th, and most draft experts believe Cooper will be gone long before then.
ESPN's Mel Kiper has Cooper going fourth in the draft to the 49ers' bay neighbor, the Oakland Raiders at No. 4. NJ.com, however reported that West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White opened some eyes at the NFL scouting combine by running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
"If Cooper gets past the Raiders [at No. 4] and Kevin White goes there, I can see Cleveland at 12, San Francisco at 15, Kansas City at 18, jumping up and getting Cooper," Kiper said, according to NJ.com. "You just can't let him fall to 10, or even get to nine. I think he'd be off the board via a trade."
Goldengatesports.com reported that Cooper's potential could turn into the talent of another slightly well-known wide receiver - Jerry Rice.
"NFL Draft guru, Mel Kiper, has been a strong supporter of Amari Cooper, who he says reminds him of the great Rice. High praise there, Kiper," goldengatesports.com reported.
"... Joe Montana and Young had Jerry Rice - the greatest wide receiver of all-time - but since becoming the starting QB, Kaepernick has lacked a wide receiver with elite capabilities."
Since parting ways with coach Jim Harbaugh and hiring a relative unknown in Jim Tomsula, the 49ers management needs to make a splash to keep the fan base happy. Cooper certainly could qualify as that splash if they move up to get him and give Kaepernick the weapon he's been lacking.
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