Rams WR Cooper Kupp is easily the best receiver you can pick up in Fantasy Football. He proved that last season when he finished the season as the #1 wide receiver, and the #2 player overall. In 2021, Kupp led the league in receptions (145), rec. yards (1947), and rec. touchdowns (16). It was a herculean season that culminated in him winning SBLVI MVP.
His historic season earned him a three-year, $80 million contract extension earlier in June, which made him the fourth-highest paid receiver in the league. Not bad for a guy who looked like a career second- or third-option just a few years ago.
As a rookie in 2017, Kupp averaged 6.3 targets-per-game, second on the Rams behind Robert Woods. In 2018, that number grew to 6.9 targets-per-game, but Los Angeles also added Brandin Cooks, a perennial 1,000-yard receiver who fit into the offense nicely. The move bumped Kupp down to third on the receiver depth chart where he thrived. Unfortunately, a torn left ACL and sprained MCL in Week 10 ended Kupp’s sophomore season.
He managed to rehab and get ready for Week 1 of the 2019 season, where he started the season as third on the WR depth chart; by the end of Week 5 he was first. In that span of games, Kupp was averaging 101 receiving yards, totalling 505. He finished the year as the Rams’ top receiver with 1,161 yards, which was good for the 12th-most in the league. He had a slight dip in production during the 2020 season, but still finished in the top-25 for receptions (92) and receiving yards (974).
We all know what he would go on to do in 2021, but what can we expect in 2022?
Health Analysis
Kupp has proven to be a very reliable receiver ever since he suffered the season-ending torn ACL in 2018. He did suffer a knee sprain in 2021, but it wasn’t a major issue. For 2022, we don’t anticipate the same level of production as last season, but he is easily deserving of being the first WR off the board.
| REC | YDS | TD | REC/G | YDS/REC | YDS/G |
| 145* | 1947* | 16* | 8.5 | 13.4 | 114.5* |
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