LA Rams’ darkhorse WR Cooper Kupp praised by NFL execs

Keep an eye on Rams darkhorse WR Cooper Kupp

The LA Rams knew that Eastern Washington University wide receiver Cooper Kupp would be a very special player in the NFL. Despite playing for a small school’s football team, he was the scourge of the PAC-12.  An overachiever who racked up hundreds of yards against the toughest competition.

His ability to catch passes did not diminish when he arrived in the NFL. Rather, he caught the eye of his coaches and quarterback for his impressive route running, his reliable hands, and an uncanny ability to separate from even the most accomplished defensive back. In short, he got open. He caught the passes thrown his way. Not bad work for a 2017 rookie wide receiver.

2018 was a different sort of year for his career. He was well on his way to a thousand yards receiving and double digits for touchdowns. But his season ended at eight games. He injured his ACL, which required surgery and extensive rehabilitation.

Back with a vengeance

By 2019, questions riddled his preseason. Would he hold up to the 16 game schedule? Was he too fragile to play in the NFL?  Was he on the decline, or could he recapture his rookie season magic? By season’s end, he had silenced both skeptics and critics. At 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns, he led the team in receiving and in scoring. Still, he has yet to enter the discussions for one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.

That could be changing this year. ESPN raised the topic of the best wide receivers in the NFL to 60 executives, (subscription required),  and they agreed that Cooper Kupp is a darkhorse wide receiver who should be getting a lot more attention in the NFL media. How can you not notice a guy who just put up 1100 yards and 10 touchdowns? Well, when the projections for his 2020 season show a guy who will put up 1,440 yards and 14 touchdowns. So why is there no buzz yet?

East coast bias, with Dallas addendum

The NFL headlines seem to work in this manner to designate stars. The logic pattern seems to be, do you play for the Dallas Cowboys? If yes-> you will be an NFL star. If no-> Do you play for a good east coast NFL team? If yes-> you will be an NFL star. If no-> Do you play for a bad east coast team or good or bad west coast team? In the end, stars are tough to find on west coast teams.

If Kupp was on the Dallas Cowboys, he would be a household name. Instead, he is on the LA Rams, where he is one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers. That’s not an opinion buried behind team support. It’s a consensus of objective NFL executives.

What’s up, Kupp?

Cooper Kupp is playing for his next contract.  That frequently is a career year for a player exiting his rookie contract. He is already knocking on the door of an NFL elite receiver. So far, he is one of the best receivers in the clutch in the NFL. He is also one of the most proficient receivers in the NFL. In 2019, he was ranked as the 89th-ranked player in the NFL.

There are plenty of factors adding up to a career season for Kupp. Even with the addition of rookie Cam Akers, the Rams will likely not be as rush-oriented as they had been in the past.  Quarterback Jared Goff is stronger, more mobile, and has a more confident feel this season.  The Rams offensive line is fully healthy now and is practicing protecting the pocket over the center position. Finally, the Rams will no doubt feature both Kupp and Woods as the team gauges the potential of other receivers.

Kupp a darkhorse? Only to a national audience. He’s been our odds-on favorite to dominate the NFL this year for some time.