Cooper Kupp is undoubtedly one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and a large reason for that is his route-running ability. The 33rd Team’s Andy Benoit ranked his top 9 route runners in the NFL and the All-Pro wideout of the Los Angeles Rams came in at No. 2.
The only wide receiver ranked ahead of Kupp is Justin Jefferson. Jefferson is coming off a year in which he tallied career-best marks in targets (184), receptions (128), and receiving yards (1,809) for the Minnesota Vikings.
Mentally, few players have a scholarly understanding of how a defense’s coverage concept and matchup rules relate to the overall design of the play. Physically, few players are as nuanced with body lean as Cooper Kupp – especially on short and intermediate routes. And while Kupp certainly can separate from defenders dramatically, he’s arguably at his most unguardable when aiming to separate just enough.
Kupp has never been the most athletic wide receiver, so his route-running ability and feel for coverages is a crucial part of his game. Regardless of what coverage the defense is playing, Kupp can create space and find different ways to give Matthew Stafford a clean throwing lane.
The former Super Bowl MVP missed eight games for the Rams in 2022 due to an ankle injury, but he was on track for another stellar campaign. Just two seasons ago, Kupp proved to have a fantastic rapport with Stafford as he became just the fourth wide receiver in NFL history to achieve the triple crown.
While he isn’t as flashy as Jefferson or other wideouts in the league, Kupp is still one of the most pristine route runners at the position.
