The Seattle Seahawks made one of the best acquisitions of the offseason, signing Cooper Kupp to a three-year deal worth $45 million. One of the best wide receivers in modern NFL history, Kupp joins the remodelled Seahawks, with Sam Darnold as their new quarterback.
However, an already legendary career might not have panned out that way if not for the success Kupp had with the Los Angeles Rams. But, if it were up to offensive coordinator Matt LeFleur at the time, Kupp would have never been his choice of selection in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Matt LeFleur Missed Wildly on Cooper Kupp
Despite a spectacular collegiate career, Kupp’s playing for Eastern Washington in the FCS tanked his draft stock, leading to the Rams finding him in the third round with the 69th overall pick. That was a Jerry Rice and Walter Payton Award already on his resume.
But for LeFleur, it was too big a gamble to make. Speaking on FanDuel, the current Green Bay Packers coach explained his rationale, “We’ve drafted players that I haven’t been really excited about. Two years down the line, I was ecstatic about.”
When asked about specifics, he confessed, “I’ll give you a name. We drafted Cooper Kupp, and I thought we needed a speed receiver. It didn’t take long before I realized, I’m like, ‘Godda**, I’m glad we got Cooper Kupp,’ because he was a baller.”
Right out of the gate, Kupp showed tremendous upside for Los Angeles, earning an All-Rookie team selection for tallying 869 yards in his debut campaign. However, it was in his third year that he truly took off.
Over the next three years, he was one of the most consistent wide receivers in football, culminating in a legendary 2021 campaign. Winning the triple crown as he led the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, he broke the scrimmage yards record for a WR.
He also broke the single-season record for receiving yards in a regular and postseason combined with 2,425 yards. His efforts culminated with a game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LVI, as he earned Super Bowl MVP honors.
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Since then, injuries have played a part in slowing him down, to some extent. However, when on the field, he still remains a singularly gifted playmaker with or without the ball in his hands.
While the Rams decided to move on from him amid injury concerns, Seattle was quick to swoop in to shore up their offensive weapons for their new quarterback. Wearing a different jersey for the first time in his career, it should be interesting to see how Kupp adjusts to life outside LA.