Amari Cooper retires after a storied 10-year run, ending a career with 711 catches, 10,033 yards and 64 TDs. He signed with the Raiders last week, but disclosed retirement before Week 1, leaving a veteran void in Vegas’ WR room. The Raiders’ 2025 depth chart leans on Jakobi Meyers, rookies Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr., and a push from Geno Smith at QB to keep the passing game afloat. Joe Flacco’s recent playoff-caliber runs and Cooper’s Dallas/Browns stops frame a wider narrative about move-on seasons and rebuilds. Brock Bowers is noted for potential rookie impact, with the tight end position highlighted as a Chiefs-like ceiling for a rookie in Vegas.

Las Vegas pivots to a younger corps, aiming to replace Cooper’s 1,000-yard seasons with a mix of experienced targets and emerging playmakers. Meyers arrives with a reputation for consistent reliability, while the rookie duo brings big-play upside. Geno Smith steps into the play-caller role for a Raiders attack that must balance volume and explosiveness, particularly in a Week 1 clash against New England. The piece also spots the broader AFC WR churn and how veteran leadership can accelerate a young group’s development in 2025.

Finally, the Raiders’ rookie tight end Brock Bowers is mentioned as a potential breakout, while the piece highlights the 2024-25 WR transition as a focal point for fantasy evaluators and bettors eyeing Week 1 and beyond.