(Photo: Fox Sports)
The old saying is true. A football team can always find a gem of a pick later in the draft. I’ve always said that it doesn’t matter where you attended college or what round you are drafted in, get your foot in the door and take full advantage of the opportunity, but most importantly, make a name for yourself. In 2017, the Los Angeles Rams drafted a Wide Receiver named Cooper Kupp in the third round out of Eastern Washington. Each year, he climbed the ladder and more people were beginning to notice him. Before the season ended, the Rams announced that they would attempt to trade Cooper. After failing to find a trade partner, the veteran receiver was released. This upcoming season, Cooper will remain in the NFC West, this time as a member of the Seattle Seahawks as he’s signed a three-year deal worth $45 million.
I know injuries have played a part in recent memory, but when he’s healthy and on the field, he’s still a productive Wide Receiver in my eyes. I still remember the day when the Rams acquired Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions, I stated they needed to go after a true number one receiver, but they had one in house and Cooper silenced me during that 2021 season. Furthermore, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him drop a pass which means he’s very sure-handed and will catch everything thrown in his vicinity with “sticky hands”. Let’s talk about how he can release himself to get open. He just has a way to separate himself and make defenders look silly. Cooper also finds ways to make those tough catches whether it’s over the middle in traffic or down the field climbing over the top of a defender. Whenever Matthew needed a big play, this was who he always targeted. Whenever route running is discussed, of course, Davante Adams comes to mind and so will Stefon Diggs. Cooper needs a seat at this table because his ability to run routes has left me speechless at times. He’s so savvy and knows how to fool a Defensive Back. I remember a particular route he ran in a game against the Cleveland Browns in 2023 as he was set in motion which always leads me to say anytime you see a receiver being motioned, he’s getting the football and they are “jump-starting the route” as I refer to it. Cooper was in motion and you thought he was running a drag route to the corner, but instead, he planted that foot down and found a crease in the coverage and the Defensive Back wasn’t able to recover because he was fooled. That had Sean McVay written all over it. Besides receiving, Cooper is also a solid blocker which he doesn’t receive a lot of credit for. He does it all and has earned the respect of everyone around him.
This is a typical move that many players tend to make when they are released by a team which is sign with a division rival in order to get back at them. Saquon Barkley did just that after the New York Giants released him and he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles then the rest is history. I like the potential pairing of Cooper Kupp and Jaxson Smith-Njigba. This also gives Sam Darnold a trusted weapon and true number one receiver. People tend to forget Cooper won the receiving triple crown in 2021 which is when a receiver leads the league in three statistical categories (receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns) and he has also won an Offensive Player of the Year award, plus, he’s a Super Bowl champion. He’ll get to see his former two times a season now.
