Alabama coach Nick Saban is not a proponent of comparing his players.
In 2011, Saban had a highly rated wide receiver in Julio Jones. The Falcons mortgaged five picks to move up 21 spots to select Jones with the sixth overall pick.
This year, Saban has another top-shelf wide receiver, Amari Cooper, who could go as high as Jones in the NFL draft, which will be held April 30-May 2 in Chicago.
After Cooper ran routes and completed his position drills at Alabama’s Pro Day on Wednesday, Saban was asked about the two receivers.
“I don’t really like to compare players,” Saban said. “They are totally different guys. Julio Jones is a fantastic, big, strong and physical guy who’s been very productive in the NFL.”
But then he made the comparison.
“Amari Cooper’s style is just a little different in terms of the quickness that he plays with, the running ability that he has,” Saban said. “Great hands. Smart player. Both guys are outstanding, but their styles are just a little bit different.”
Cooper, who spent time with ESPN analyst Cris Carter talking about route-running, was fluid as he ran for quarterback Blake Sims. He talked about his 40-yard dash time that raised a few eyebrows at the NFL combine.
Some project that West Virginia’s Kevin White, a Jones-clone, will be the first wide receiver taken in the draft because he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds, and Cooper ran it in 4.42 seconds.
“It was an all-right time,” Cooper said. “It just wasn’t fast enough.”
Cooper doesn’t believe the run will hurt his draft position. In part, that’s why he passed on running another 40-yard dash at Alabama’s Pro Day.
“I’ve run 4.3s plenty of times, so I thought I would run in the 4.3s,” Cooper said. “But it’s just something to work on.
NFL Network showed a simulated video of Cooper, White and Louisville’s DeVante Parker’s 40-yard runs.
“I feel like in the video (I showed) my top-end speed, I was catching up,” Cooper said. “If we would have ran 60 yards, with my top-end speed … .”
Cooper said his first post-Pro Day private meeting is with Jacksonville. He has not met nor is scheduled to meet with the Falcons, who hold the eighth pick in the draft.
He wants to be selected ahead of White and Parker.
“When you do something, you want to be the best,” Cooper said. “I want to be the first receiver taken, but if I’m not it won’t affect how I go in and work. It definitely could be a motivating factor for me. I just want to prove that I could have been the first receiver taken.”
Cooper said he wanted to prove he was a polished route runner and receiver by taking part in the position drills.
Saban believes that Cooper will shine in the NFL like Jones, who’s been selected to two Pro Bowls in four seasons.
“First of all, I think he’s a very talented guy,” Saban said. “He’s worked very hard to improve and maximize the God-given gifts that he has.”
Also, Cooper, a soft-spoken sort, doesn’t have any of the off-the-field red flags.
“He’s a great person,” Saban said. “He’s going to be a really good teammate where ever he goes. He’s very positive in the way he goes about his work. If you give him a job to do, he’s going to do it. He’s very responsible and accountable. I think that’s what people are looking for.”
Sims, who wants to play quarterback in the NFL, also worked out as running back for NFL scouts.
“It was kind of different,” Sims said. “Six weeks ago, I was throwing touchdowns and now I’m running routes. Thanks to (running back) T.J. (Yeldon) he taught me some things.”
Sims said he didn’t feel slighted by doing some running back drills.
“It’s just another opportunity for me to get into the NFL,” Sims said. “Right now, I’m just trying to take advantage of every opportunity that I can.”
Saban believes that Sims, of Gainesville, will get a shot at quarterback.
“I think that Blake’s athleticism, his production this year, are things that people are going to have to take in to account,” Saban said. “There are more and more offenses that are willing to utilize a guy like him. So, I do think Blake has a lot to offer a team. I do think he’s going to get an opportunity with someone.”
