Stephen A.: Keep Alabama WR Amari Cooper out of Oakland

Stephen A. Smith believes Oakland is a place where "quality football people go to die."

He doesn't want that to happen to Amari Cooper.

Near the conclusion of Thursday morning's ESPN First Take, Smith was adamantly against the possibility of the Raiders drafting Cooper with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has Oakland taking the former Alabama All-American receiver in his Mock Draft 1.0.

"This dude, as far as I'm concerned, is the best wideout in football," Smith said. "He does not deserve to be contaminated by being an Oakland Raider. I pray that he is not subjected to such a thing."

Reacting in disbelief on a split screen, Skip Bayless said the Raiders "deserve" Cooper to team up with rookie quarterback Derek Carr to possibly "light up the night in Oakland." Smith acknowledged the play of Carr, but still doesn't want Cooper joining him in Oakland unless major changes are made in the organization.

The Raiders haven't made the playoffs since 2002, which was the last time it had a winning season. Finishing 3-13 this season, Oakland hasn't won more than four games in each of its last three seasons. Oakland has hired Jack Del Rio as its new head coach.

Last a defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, Del Rio led Jacksonville to the playoffs only twice in nine seasons there.

"I don't want this to happen to Amari Cooper," Smith continued. "I don't wish this on him. There's a black cat running around in a black hole and something ain't right and I don't want that to happen to Amari Cooper. Anywhere but to the Raiders. Please don't subject this good kid to this. Not to the Raiders. Please, don't touch him."

Cooper caught 124 passes for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. A Heisman Trophy finalist, Cooper won the Biletnikoff Award and was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Cooper has been projected to go high in the first round by several draft analysts, but Smith hopes the nation's best receiver doesn't wind up playing for the Raiders.

"Leave that kid alone," Smith said. "Let him go somewhere else."

Kiper has Tampa Bay taking Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston first overall followed by Tennessee picking Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota second and Jacksonville selecting USC defensive end Leonard Williams third.