With the coachspeak and player-driven hype already intensifying before the 2024 NFL season, Brad Evans examines some of the bolder claims to guide fantasy managers and sports bettors to profitability.
The Claim: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp looks “all the way back,” adding Sean McVay’s offense “clearly runs through him.”
B.S. Barometer: 1.5 (1 = buyable; 5 = a heaping pile).
The Spin: For those who’ve convinced themselves Kupp is cooked, you’re the one who’s half-baked. At 31, he’s hardly the bitter-tasting charred burger you mistakenly shelled out an exorbitant sum for. Now healthy and motivated to prove premature doubters wrong, Kupp is set to recapture the fantasy magic of 2021.
Mired by hamstring and ankle injuries last year, Kupp endured a second-consecutive underwhelming season, finishing outside the top 20 in 0.5 PPR fantasy points per game. He enticed a solid 25.6% target share, but with rankings of WR56 in yards per target (7.8), WR83 in aDOT (8.3), WR32 in yards per route run (1.99) and WR49 in fantasy points per target (1.73), the luster quickly wore off the once-revered receiver. Most alarmingly, Matthew Stafford posted only a 90.5 passer rating when targeting Kupp. Again, the physical ailments took a toll.
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Despite the downturn, Kupp excelled in two key areas that imply a rebound is imminent. He was WR19 in route win rate and totaled the ninth-most red zone targets of any wide receiver (19). And remember, he missed five games.
All reports from Rams camp have showered the veteran with praise. At worst, the WR pecking order is shaping up to be a 1A/1B situation. Most anticipate Puka Nacua will set the pace, but considering the sophomore receiver is already dealing with a dinged knee, that’s far from a guarantee.
At his 47.04 ADP (WR20), Kupp is a bargain-basement buy. Stupidly price-slashed due to recency bias, he’s worth going the extra mile for — especially given the Rams’ 12th-easiest schedule for fantasy WRs. Grab him as your WR2, and you won’t be forced to butcher Luke Combs songs at one of his sold-out concerts next year.
When the curtains drop on the 2024 regular season, Kupp — provided he plays 17 games — finishes around 85 receptions, 1,100 yards and 7-9 touchdowns. Take the discount all diggity day long.