Even though the Los Angeles Rams have built a model reliant on non-draft picks to build a championship contender, they have proven to use their brainpower over other franchises during this time of year for the NFL Draft.
In fact, in tracing back to April 2017, the Rams found their way to outsmart not one, not two, but six different franchises by taking in a then-little known wide receiver from Yakima, Washington who ran a 4.62 40-yard dash and was labeled a prospect who “will eventually be an average starter.”
But six years later, Cooper Kupp has since done the following: Become a captain and Pro Bowl talent. Led the league in all three major receiving categories in 2021. Has two 1,000-yard seasons.
Won a Super Bowl MVP award. Is now the owner of a wealthy $80 million contract with the Rams. And he’s accomplished those feats while getting the Rams to prove they outsmarted six teams to draft him six years ago.
Air Coop. pic.twitter.com/mt9PI3fBvn
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 20, 2023
Kupp’s 2022 season was unfortunately nothing like his blockbuster 2021 as an ankle injury ruined last season. Now, he’s hit the ground running during voluntary offseason workouts which began April 17. At full strength, Kupp can now eye moving up in the franchise record books.
Per Football Database, Kupp is now 87 receptions away from passing Rams legend Henry Ellard for third all-time in career catches. He also needs three touchdowns to pass Ellard.
By topping Ellard, he’ll now trail Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce for top career marks with the Rams. And this is from a WR not only entering his seventh season in the league, but was once the seventh wideout taken in his draft class.
Here are the teams that passed over the seventh wide receiver taken in the draft Kupp; Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steleers.
