Comparing a rookie to a Hall of Fame player is always a bit of a stretch, but Oakland’s Amari Cooper is among rare company. After his performance Sunday, Cooper is one of only two rookies to ever record three 100-yard games in their first six games.
Joining Cooper on that list is the 1961 Sporting News NFL Rookie of the Year Mike Ditka.
Amari Cooper: 1st rookie with 3 100-yd receiving games in his team's first 6 games since Mike Ditka in 1961. pic.twitter.com/XvxsUMF4VW
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 25, 2015
Cooper completed the task Sunday afternoon with arguably the best game of his young career. Cooper caught five passes for 133 yards and a touchdown.
Through the first six games of his career, Ditka had 444 receiving yards, 75 yards less than Cooper through the same stretch. Although, Ditka was able to get there with less catches and with much different rules.
Many believed Cooper would end up playing for the Bears, just as Ditka had. The Raiders drafted Cooper fourth overall, three spots ahead of the Bears who would draft fellow wide receiver Kevin White.
While Cooper is putting up eye-popping numbers, White is still sidelined with an injury that has kept him out all season.