The wide receiver trade market is heating up, and one-time All-Pro Cooper Kupp could be the next big name to find a new home. A third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Eastern Washington product put together some strong seasons with Jared Goff before exploding with quarterback Matthew Stafford. During their first season together, the wide receiver led the league in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16) while guiding the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl victory.
While he’s battled injuries over the past three seasons, Cooper Kupp remains effective when healthy and could fetch a decent return on the trade market. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Rams have received calls for the veteran, and Los Angeles could trade him if the season slips away. While they’re not completely out of the playoff picture yet, the Rams could send the wide receiver to the Kansas City Chiefs or Baltimore Ravens if they go on a losing streak before the trade deadline.
Rams Receiving Trade Interest For Cooper Kupp – Chiefs, Ravens Likely Suitors
The Kansas City Chiefs are 6-0, but they’re winning despite their offense. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes does not look like his usual self, as the two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion has thrown more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (six). It speaks to the strength of Kansas City’s roster that Mahomes can play like this and still post an undefeated record, but this type of play won’t be enough to win a third Super Bowl in as many seasons. This team needs another offensive weapon, and a Cooper Kupp trade might be enough to fix the offense.
With free agent Marquise Brown and the reliable Rashee Rice done for the season, Mahomes has to build his passing attack through the talented yet unproven Xavier Worthy and the aging Travis Kelce. Both players are fine complementary options at this stage in their respective careers, but the Chiefs could use a more proven receiver like Kupp. Granted, injuries are a bit of a concern, but he should have no problem being the top option in the passing attack as long as he’s on the field.
Baltimore Going All-In
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is playing like an MVP, as he and star running back Derrick Henry are overpowering opponents on the ground and through the air. Right now, Baltimore’s aerial attack is a complementary part of the offense that primarily runs through 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers. The Ravens can clearly get by with limited options in the passing game, but they could be unstoppable if they trade for Cooper Kupp.
Kupp and Flowers are somewhat redundant, as both players are at their best in the short and intermediate portions of the field. However, offensive coordinator Todd Monken knows how to get the most out of players with similar skillsets, and he turned the 2023 Baltimore Ravens into one of the league’s most efficient passing attacks. Maybe Cooper Kupp isn’t the top trade target for the Baltimore Ravens, but the one-time Super Bowl champion should thrive if he ends up with Lamar Jackson.
Main Photo: Joe Rondone – USA Today Sports
