Apparently, LA Rams Matthew Stafford makes WR Woods Kupp better

Did LA Rams wide receivers Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp suddenly become better in the offseason? After both fell to their first sub-1000 yard season in years, the reactions of NFL pundits and analysts have been a bit ironic.  In fact, it’s a bit confusing. When Woods and Kupp threatened to dual over the thousand-yard receiver mark at the onset of the 2020 NFL season, eyes turned elsewhere.

But yet, here we are. The start of a new NFL season and the rosters of 32 NFL teams have been shuffled by free agency and the NFL Draft once more. Of course, the LA Rams have been impacted by the roster shuffle a bit more dramatically than other teams. After all, it’s not every day that two NFL teams exchange starting quarterbacks.

Of course, the Detroit Lions were persuaded to do so with three-valued LA Rams draft picks. But the result was the Rams’ former quarterback Jared Goff heading to Detroit to start for the Lions, and the Rams welcoming new starter Matthew Stafford. The trade could prove to be a dramatic win-win for both the LA Rams and Detroit Lions.

Roll with the changes

The Lions reset their quarterback position age by turning back the clock by six years and remain locked in with a number one draft pick. the Rams fast forward to a more mature quarterback who is prepared to win it all.

So that’s the tale of two cities, right? Each quarterback must learn how to connect to an entirely new receiving group. The Detroit Lions have gone with a complete reset to their receiving group. The LA Rams have settled in with a tweak to their receiving corps.  A tweak? Oh year, adding five new weapons is a tweak. At least, it is when the team’s passing game includes throwing to Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.

The Rams due been an incredibly productive and complementary pair since they line up together in 2017.

Los Angeles Rams

In fact, this pair has been one of the main reasons why the LA Rams have remained incredibly successful despite the comings and goings of players on the roster.  Over the past four seasons, the tandem has never put up fewer than 1700 yards and nine touchdowns. That’s some pretty solid production, considering it includes injury-shortened seasons of Kupp.

The climb

So what is the upside of the Rams pair with Stafford throwing and a 17 game season?  Based on individual stats, they could combine for 2600 yards and 16 touchdowns relatively easily. While that may not put either in the conversation for a Pro Bowl trip, it would certainly do plenty to help the Rams win a berth in Super Bowl LVI.

The addition of DeSean Jackson is more than some form of NFL window dressing, I don’t see him bulking back up to 1000 yards. But if rookie Tutu Atwell can work his way into the offense in 2021, they will likely contribute a thousand yards between them.

So what can the Rams expect from other veterans? Tight end Tyler Higbee should have a standout season this year. Add to this all of the glowing reports from the Rams coaching staff about second-year player Van Jefferson, and I think they will contribute 1200 yards and eight touchdowns between them.

For the rest of the 5000 yards, the Rams will get production out of their running backs, rookies, returning tight ends, and wide receivers. and the yardage will pile up quickly. As is the case in any year, staying healthy will play a huge part in the Rams’ offensive output. Will Stafford throw for 5,000 yards passing? It’s certainly within his range, and the Rams offense is getting a lot of attention from the coaching staff right now.