A potential blockbuster trade is on the horizon as the Buffalo Bills consider acquiring superstar wide receiver Cooper Kupp from the Los Angeles Rams. With the Rams facing a challenging future, trading veterans for young assets could be a strategic move. Explore the implications of this trade and how Kupp’s exceptional skills could bolster the Bills’ receiving corps.
In a potential blockbuster trade scenario, the Los Angeles Rams’ standout wide receiver Cooper Kupp has caught the attention of the Buffalo Bills. While the Rams have not officially expressed intentions to trade Kupp, recent moves, including the departure of All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, suggest that no player is untouchable in their roster.
Brandon Croce, a writer for FanSided’s BuffaLowDown page, has proposed the idea of the Bills trading for Kupp, who was named the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year. Croce acknowledges the Rams’ predicament of being unable to afford a rebuilding phase due to the significant trade of high draft picks and the loss of veteran players like Ramsey and Bobby Wagner.
At 30 years old, Kupp still has several prime years ahead of him, making him an enticing addition to the Bills’ offense. With his exceptional skills as a slot receiver and renowned hands, Kupp would significantly elevate the Bills’ wide receiver position, potentially creating the strongest group of pass catchers in the league.
Under the leadership of general manager Les Snead, the Rams have maintained a “win-now” approach, resulting in two NFC Championships and a Super Bowl victory. However, their depleted draft capital raises concerns about their long-term prospects. As a result, trading veterans like Kupp for young assets aligns with a strategic outlook.
Although the Rams have shown intent to rebound from a disappointing 5-12 season by retaining Kupp, Aaron Donald, and Matthew Stafford, there remains the possibility that Kupp could become available for trade. If that were to happen, a team like the Bills, eager to contend for a championship, would be wise to explore a trade for the wide receiver. The Bills, led by Stefon Diggs, would greatly benefit from Kupp’s presence as a WR2, filling a void and strengthening their offense.
Kupp’s career statistics speak for themselves, with 508 receptions, 6,329 receiving yards, and 46 touchdowns. In 2021, he achieved the coveted “Triple Crown” for wide receivers, leading the league in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. His impressive performance earned him the title of Offensive Player of the Year.
As talks and speculations continue to swirl, it remains to be seen whether the Rams will entertain offers for Cooper Kupp. The potential trade would have significant implications for both teams, impacting their immediate and long-term goals. For the Bills, the acquisition of Kupp could be a game-changer, solidifying their receiving corps and bolstering their chances of Super Bowl contention.
Is Cooper Kupp the best WR in the NFL?
The 2021 NFL season was a historic one for Cooper Kupp, the wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams. He led the league in receptions (145), receiving yards (1947) and receiving touchdowns (16), becoming only the fourth player in NFL history to achieve the “triple crown” of receiving stats. He also set a new single-season record for most yards from scrimmage by a wide receiver (1965), breaking Calvin Johnson’s mark of 1964 in 2012.
Kupp’s dominance was not only reflected in the traditional stats, but also in the advanced metrics. According to Pro Football Reference, he ranked first among all receivers in yards per route run (2.98), catch rate over expected (+8.3%), first down percentage (61.4%) and approximate value (18). He also had the highest PFF grade among all receivers (93.0) and the most PFF wins above replacement (2.72).
Kupp’s production was not a fluke, but rather a result of his exceptional skills, chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford, and scheme fit with head coach Sean McVay. Kupp is one of the best route runners in the league, with an uncanny ability to create separation and find open spaces in the defense. He is also a reliable target, with strong hands and a high football IQ. He can line up anywhere on the field, from the slot to the outside, and run any route on the tree.
Kupp and Stafford formed an instant connection when they joined forces in 2021, after Stafford was traded from the Detroit Lions to the Rams. They developed a rapport that allowed them to communicate and adjust on the fly, often using hand signals or eye contact to change routes or signals based on the coverage. They also had a mutual trust and confidence in each other, which led to some spectacular plays and clutch moments.
Kupp also benefited from McVay’s creative and innovative offense, which put him in favorable situations and maximized his strengths. McVay used motion, play action, misdirection and formations to create mismatches and confusion for the defense, and often schemed Kupp open with well-designed plays. McVay also utilized Kupp’s versatility and intelligence, allowing him to run jet sweeps, end arounds, screens and even passes as a gadget player.
All these factors combined to make Kupp one of the most dominant and productive receivers in NFL history, and arguably the best WR in the league in 2021. He was a key reason why the Rams reached Super Bowl LVI, where he won the MVP award after catching 11 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-35 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He also earned his first Pro Bowl selection, his first All-Pro nod, and the AP Offensive Player of the Year award.
Kupp’s 2021 season was a masterpiece of excellence, consistency and efficiency, and it will be remembered as one of the greatest individual campaigns by a wide receiver ever. He proved that he is not only one of the best WRs in the NFL right now, but also one of the best WRs of all time.