Yakima’s Cooper Kupp Rates in Top 100 NFL Players

The Yakima Valley, over the decades, has produced its share of top shelf professional athletes. The latest being A.C. Davis High School and Eastern Washington University graduate Cooper Kupp.
Kupp is entering his 4th season as a standout wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams. Once considered too small for Division I college football, Kupp has time and again proven his detractors wrong by running impeccable routes, being sure-handed and an all-around tough guy.
Recently, ESPN ranked the 100 best players overall in the National Football League and Kupp made the cut. He clocks in at #95 on the list.
For each player, ESPN's NFL Nation reporters weighed in on his 2020 outlook and asked a player, coach or executive from the league what makes him so dominant. Then ESPN Stats & Information provided a signature stat, and fantasy analyst Mike Clay projected a stat line for this season. Here's the write-up they gave to Yakima's hometown hero:

"Kupp established himself as quarterback Jared Goff's go-to target during the first half of 2019, peaking with a seven-catch, 220-receiving-yard performance in Week 8. Expect the sure-handed Kupp to continue to expand his role and production this season as the offense adjusts to playing without running back Todd Gurley II and receiver Brandin Cooks." -- Lindsey Thiry

Signature stat: Kupp played only 48% of his snaps in the slot last season, which was 37th among wide receivers (minimum 100 snaps). Yet his 783 receiving yards in the slot were the most by any receiver last season.

What they are saying: "Cooper is continuing to accelerate his level of play. ... He's been a really good asset for us, obviously, and I'm excited about his level this year as well." -- Jared Goff, Rams quarterback

2020 projection: 80 catches, 997 yards, 6 TDs

Throughout the upcoming 2020 season, we will track Kupp's progress each week. Make sure to opt-in for our weekly "Kupp-Date" on our free mobile app.