The Rams don’t need to panic over replacing Cooper Kupp
The Los Angeles Rams are blessed to have one of the top-5 receivers in the NFL and if Puka Nacua’s career goes like others who have started as hot as him, then he will be great for at least another five years. And frankly with how the modern NFL is constructed, Nacua is more than enough for the Rams to build a championship offense around.
You can always go get another starting receiver.
The last two Rams hits at the position were Cooper Kupp, a third rounder, and Nacua, a fifth rounder. Since Sean McVay became the head coach in 2017, the Rams have added:
- Kupp
- Robert Woods (free agent)
- Sammy Watkins (trade)
- Brandin Cooks (trade)
- Josh Reynolds (fourth round)
- Odell Beckham Jr (mid-season signing)
- Puka
- Demarcus Robinson (low-tier free agent)
- Jordan Whittington (sixth round)
Even counting second round whiffs like Van Jefferson and Tutu Atwell, or a free agent bust like Allen Robinson, the Rams have found it MUCH easier to add to their receiver room than their attempts to replace Todd Gurley at running back or Tyler Higbee at tight end. There are far more failed draft picks and signings on the cutting room floor at running back, tight end, and offensive line than at receiver.
So when the Rams part ways with Cooper Kupp, it’s in part because of his age, injury history, and contract…but it is also because the Rams will be fine without Cooper Kupp.
That’s not a dig at Kupp. That’s what teams could say about almost any receiver who isn’t in the prime of his career like Puka or Justin Jefferson or the small group of truly elite players at the position right now.
And even if a team has an elite receiver, how does that help that team win the Super Bowl?
Eagles/Chiefs didn’t rely on receivers
On the surface, it would seem that the Eagles do invest heavily in receivers because of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, both of whom cost them top-20 picks to acquire. Both of whom are paid well. But neither of whom had fantastic seasons in 2024 en route to winning the Super Bowl.
They made plays when they had to make plays, but Philadelphia could have gotten those plays out of at least a couple dozen receivers in the league today.
Or you don’t think the Eagles could have won the Super Bowl if they had Nacua and Kupp? Of course they could have!
And the Chiefs got to the Super Bowl without any good receivers at all. Even if they had prime Tyreek Hill against the Eagles, Kansas City wasn’t going to win that game because Philly was getting to Patrick Mahomes too fast and swarming the ball wherever it would go.
The NFL in 2025 is not a wide receivers league…
It’s a cheap and young wide receivers league.
2024 receiver leaders
- The oldest WR to catch 100 passes last season was Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is 25
- The most catches by a WR over 28 was Davante Adams, who had 85
- The most yards by a WR over 25 was Terry McLaurin, who had 1,096 yards, good for 15th in the NFL
That’s not over 30...That’s over 25!
The top receivers in the NFL now are guys who were drafted since 2021. Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that the top receivers in the NFL in 2028 will be guys who are drafted this April. And next April. And the April after that.
Brian Thomas, a rookie mid-first round pick, finished third in yards, scored 10 touchdowns, and played for one of the worst teams in the league.
Jerry Jeudy, a former first round pick who was traded for peanuts, had 1,229 yards with a terrible Browns team that usually didn’t have a quarterback.
Ladd McConkey, a second round pick, had 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns with the Chargers.
It’s just way too easy to get a wide receiver if that’s what you think you need, but most teams really don’t need a receiver more than they need a quarterback, a tackle, a guard, a center, a defensive tackle, an edge, and a rangy linebacker.
To say the least.
And you know which kind of team really doesn’t need another star receiver?
A team that’s paying peanuts for Puka Nacua. The Rams will be just fine.
