Would acquiring Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp help the Denver Broncos clinch a second straight playoff berth?
On Monday night, the Super Bowl LVI MVP confirmed that the Rams placed him on the trade block. As of Tuesday, DraftKings Sportsbook gives Denver +600 odds of being Kupp’s next team (h/t NBC Sports’ Kyle Dvorchak).
“[Rookie QB] Bo Nix thrived last year despite not having the most proven of receiving corps outside of Courtland Sutton,” wrote CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo, who listed Denver as a landing spot on Monday. “In Denver, Kupp would play with an up-and-coming quarterback and inside [head coach] Sean Payton’s pass-happy offense. Kupp’s ability to make plays over the middle would certainly aid Nix, who makes plays outside of the pocket.”
Nix finished with the league’s sixth-most TD passes (29) in 17 regular-season starts during the 2024 season but didn’t push the ball downfield much. According to Pro Football Reference, the Auburn/Oregon product averaged 6.7 yards per pass attempt, 31st among 43 eligible QBs.
Perhaps Payton didn’t trust the team’s inconsistent pass-catchers. Denver finished with the league’s sixth-most drops (32), via PFR.
Kupp, 31, led the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and TD catches (16) in 17 regular-season games during the 2021 season. He’ll probably never do that again, but he’s still productive.
In 12 regular-season games during the 2024 season, the former first-team All-Pro had 67 receptions for 710 yards and six TD catches.
Kupp’s injuries are a concern. He has missed 18 games over the past three seasons because of ankle and hamstring issues.
His contract could also be an issue for Denver. Spotrac co-founder Michael Ginnitti shared that Kupp’s new team would acquire $39.85M over the next two seasons, including $5M guaranteed.
