Cooper Kupp didn’t have the season he wanted or expected in 2022, but it’s not because he struggled whatsoever. It was simply that he missed half the season with an ankle injury, a disappointing follow-up to his historic 2021 campaign.
That shouldn’t discredit Kupp as one of the best receivers in the NFL – and one of the best overall players regardless of position. Unfortunately, it didn’t stop him from dropping 43 spots in the latest Top 100 Players ranking, which is voted on by players throughout the league.
Kupp checked in at No. 47, down from No. 3 last year. One thing remains clear, though: His competitors know what a nightmare he is to defend when healthy.
After Kupp was revealed as the 47th-best player in the league, the NFL released a video of players paying respect to the Rams receiver, including Budda Baker, Marlon Humphrey, Austin Corbett and Ernest Jones.
“The Rams used him in so many different ways that it just made him a matchup nightmare,” Humphrey said. “They never really had him in one spot, so as a defense, we try to figure out, ‘OK, we gotta stop this guy.’ But it’s hard to stop a guy if you don’t know where he’s gonna be.”
Baker gave Kupp credit for his speed and ability to run deep, which he doesn’t often get praised for, being a slot receiver who’s quicker than he is fast.
"The guy."
"Matchup nightmare."@CooperKupp is a mainstay on the #NFLTop100. (via @NFLFilms) @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/3s1niZgffh— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2023
“He’s a guy who has decisive speed,” Baker said. “He can run deep, he can take a jetsweep to the crib. He can run intermediate routes, shallow. We kind of double-team him a lot, try to get him the ball as (little) as possible.”
Kupp may not have been voted as high as expected on the Top 100 list, but he clearly has the respect of DBs around the league.
