Cooper Kupp has been considered a Safety Blanket for the LA Rams over the last number of years. Matthew Stafford developed chemistry immediately with Kupp. The two challenged the label of “best duo in the league” in their first season together. Kupp’s dominance over the league last year led to the nickname “Super Cooper”. To Rams fans, Kupp is a superhero with powers like we’ve never seen before. Only dropping 19 passes in his career, Cooper exceeds expectations when targeted.
SUPER SAFETY BLANKET:
Since his rookie season, Kupp has been an easy target for his quarterbacks. With hands like velvet he hauls in almost every throw. Jared Goff created a connection with Kupp very quickly; propelling him to the Rams rookie record for catches(62). Soon after, Kupp was voted to the All-Rookie team with 862 yards along with five touchdowns. Kupp has only gotten better since his rookie year. Coming back from a torn ACL in 2019, he had 94 catches for 1,161 and ten touchdowns.
Last season we saw the untapped potential of “Super Cooper” in the most productive season for any receiver in history. With a new quarterback, Kupp finished 2021 with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns. Those numbers secured him the “triple crown” (receptions, yards, touchdowns) while also winning Super Bowl MVP.
He was the first receiver ever to win the triple crown, offensive player of the year, and super bowl MVP in the same season. He also broke franchise records for receptions and yards in a single season while adding more records to his name. His postseason was one to remember as he set the record for most receptions in a single postseason. On a deeper level, Kupp was the most reliable target for Stafford in 2021. He was so reliable that Stafford knew where he was at all times. In the biggest moment, he hit him with a no-look pass on the game-winning drive in the Super Bowl.
Third And Kupp:
As for the reliable target of Kupp, Coach Sean Mcvay finds ways to dial his number in key moments. Whether it’s motions, putting him in the backfield or just crossing patterns, Kupp is finding a way to get open. Last season, Kupp became the go-to on third downs. Catching 31 of 42 targets for 506 yards, two touchdowns, and converting 26 first downs will turn heads.
When the Rams were in their end needing a big play, Kupp was the man. From the rams 21-50 yard line, Kupp caught 54 passes for 1,018 yards. In situations of down and distances of ten plus yards, he hauled in 79 passes for 1,101 yards and seven touchdowns. First downs were a key theme as 38 of those 79 catches were for a conversion.
In 2022 Kupp has seven catches on eight targets on third down for five first downs. In down and distances of ten plus, Cooper has been targeted 20 times, hauling in 15 catches for 135 yards. The same occurs this season when the Rams are in need for a big play. From their own 21-50 yard line, Kupp has 16 targets and 12 catches for 138 yards.
What Makes Him So Safe?
Cooper Kupp is a safe target due to his intelligence of where and how to run his routes. We’ve all saw his post game interview of how he got his game winning touchdown vs Seattle last season. The man is a whiz kid when it comes to breakdowns. Some might even call him a second quarterback on the field and that’s not an exaggeration.
Kupp lined up primarily in the slot last year but wasn’t the typical slot receiver. According to Cameron Dasilva of Ramswire, Kupp ran one of the most diverse route trees of any receiver What stands Kupp apart from the rest? Aside from intelligence, he’s a magician after the catch. Piling up 957 yards after the catch between last this year and last. All of this makes him a top five safety blanket in the league.
Check out my story about Kupp’s partner in crime by clicking here Matthew Stafford