Rams' Cooper Kupp Still Among NFL's Top 20 Players?

Despite last year’s injury-shortened season, is Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp still among the best receivers in the NFL?

Los Angeles Rams' receiver Cooper Kupp missed nearly half the 2022 regular season, but is still so respected around the league that he's viewed as one of the 25 best players at any position in the sport. 

According to PFF, Kupp is the 22nd best overall player in the NFL right now. 

"In a world of “What have you done for me lately?” it’s important to remember that Kupp is a year removed from arguably the greatest receiving season in NFL history," PFF wrote. "Passes thrown his way have generated a passer rating of 116.3 over his career, and he is averaging a very healthy 2.34 yards per route run. If the Rams can get the offense back on track, Kupp can get back to dominance." 

As noted by PFF, Kupp put together one of the most insanely productive seasons that a receiver -- or really, anyone -- has had in NFL history in 2021. In his first season paired with quarterback Matthew Stafford, Kupp won the Offensive Player of the Year Award, after he led the NFL with 145 catches, 1947 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. 

Kupp also caught two touchdowns in a 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI, ultimately taking home the game's MVP to cap off an incredible campaign. 

Obviously, the Rams hit a wall in a variety of regards in 2022, finishing 5-12 just a year after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Kupp was limited to just nine games by a right ankle injury, which certainly didn't help the cause. 

However, in the nine games that Kupp played in 2022, he hauled in 75 passes for 812 yards and six touchdowns. Had he stayed healthy, Kupp still would have been in the All-Pro discussion. There's no reason to think the 30-year-old won't be one of the league's elite receivers in 2023, assuming both he and Stafford are able to avoid another injury-riddled year. 

Three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald has yet to appear on the list, meaning he'll be somewhere in the top 20. Given that four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers had to settle for the No. 45 ranking on PFF's countdown, it's fair to assume that Stafford won't crack this year's list.

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