Top NFL Trade Packages for Cooper Kupp If Rams Decide to Move WR at Deadline
The Nov. 5 NFL trade deadline is just under two weeks away, and it's possible that Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp could be on the move.
We've already seen Davante Adams go the New York Jets, Amari Cooper get shipped to the Buffalo Bills and DeAndre Hopkins join the Kansas City Chiefs this season. Kupp could be the next big-name receiver to get traded. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported on her Scoop City podcast (h/t B/R's Joseph Zucker) the Rams are "definitely taking calls" about their star receiver.
Russini later provided some additional context, noting that the Rams "have indicated a willingness to take on some of the '24 salary and are seeking a 2nd-round pick."
Trading for Kupp wouldn't come without risk. The 31-year-old has played only two games this season because of a high ankle sprain, and he missed significant chunks of the 2022 and 2023 seasons with injuries as well.
However, he's still 19th in the league in yards per route run, per ESPN Analytics. Multiple teams in the playoff race might find it worthwhile to put together a trade proposal for him.
Based on team needs, previous deals and the reporting around the trade hype, here's a look at five packages that could make sense.
Pittsburgh Steelers
1 of 5
Los Angeles Rams Receive: 2025 second-round pick
Pittsburgh Steelers Receive: WR Cooper Kupp
Let's not get too fancy here. If the Rams want a second-round pick for Kupp, the Steelers would be wise to oblige.
The Steelers have been no stranger to wide receiver trade rumors in recent months. They were one of the most popular hypothetical trade destinations for San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk during the offseason, and they were also connected to Davante Adams before the Raiders shipped him to the Jets.
The Steelers need another receiving threat to pair with George Pickens to be taken seriously in the AFC. Both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields have shown promise at quarterback, and the defense has not been the problem in Pittsburgh.
However, Calvin Austin III is currently the Steelers' second-most targeted wide receiver thus far this season. He's turned 21 targets into 11 receptions for 203 yards.
Kupp has played in only two games this season and has 18 catches on 27 targets. Austin is a fun deep threat and gadget player, but Kupp is the kind of chain-mover that Pittsburgh's receiving corps doesn't have right now.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2 of 5
Rams Receive: 2024 third-round pick, 2024 fifth-round pick
Buccaneers Receive: WR Cooper Kupp, 2024 sixth-round pick
The Rams' desired compensation of a second-round pick for Kupp might not be attainable. None of Adams, Cooper or Hopkins fetched a second-rounder in their respective trades.
Given Kupp's injury issues and age, the Rams might have to settle for less. This package resembles the one that the Bills gave up for Cooper, which included a third-rounder and a Day 3 pick swap.
The Buccaneers could instead offer a second-round pick, but their long-term need isn't the same as the Steelers'. The Bucs already have a productive receiver duo in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
However, Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle Monday that will knock him out for the season, and he's set to become a free agent. Evans exited the game after re-aggravating a hamstring injury and is expected to miss multiple games.
That leaves Tampa without its top two receiving threats for the time being. With Baker Mayfield playing well and the Bucs tied for the NFC South lead at 4-3, they might see it as a worthwhile risk to trade for Kupp.
The fact that Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen was the Rams' offensive coordinator in 2022 doesn't hurt, either.
Los Angeles Chargers
3 of 5
Rams Receive: Conditional third-round pick (becomes a second with playing time/games played condition)
Chargers Receive: WR Cooper Kupp
Just because Kupp might get traded doesn't mean he'll have to move to a new city. The Chargers are among the most receiver-needy teams in the league, and they happen to share a stadium with the Rams.
Unlike the Rams, the Chargers have had enough success this season to consider themselves buyers at the deadline. New head coach Jim Harbaugh has reinvigorated the roster and has the Chargers looking like a wild-card team.
Their biggest problem is their lack of receiver options. Rookie Ladd McConkey is leading the team in receiving, but their next-best receiver right now is tight end Will Dissly with 21 catches for 192 yards.
Harbaugh's coaching staff has the Bolts playing defense at an elite level. They also have the quarterback to power a great offense. We saw what Justin Herbert was able to do with Keenan Allen at the peak of his powers.
Still, there's considerable risk in trading for Kupp, and the Rams might be shooting a bit too high by asking for a second-round pick. Their most realistic option might be a conditional third-rounder that becomes a second-rounder with playing time incentives.
That would give the Rams the best realistic chance at getting a second-round pick while making the deal more palatable for a Chargers team that is still in a soft rebuild.
Washington Commanders
4 of 5
Rams Receive: 2025 third-round pick
Commanders Receive: WR Cooper Kupp
If the Rams manage to get a second-round pick for Kupp, it'll likely be because they take on a large portion of his salary to make the deal happen. If a team has to take on all of Kupp's salary and the rest of his contract, it may try to get the price down to a third-rounder.
That should be the Commanders' pitch, at least. Washington is projected to have $123.2 million in cap space next offseason, per Spotrac, trailing only the New England Patriots.
The Commanders are built on the cheap right now. Jayden Daniels' dynamic start to his NFL career is what's fueling the Commanders' surprise 5-2 start.
The Commanders already feature one of the league's best offenses, and that's with Noah Brown working as their second-most productive wide receiver. Both tight end Zach Ertz and running back Austin Ekeler have more receiving yards than him.
Trading for Kupp would give the Commanders a legitimate receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin and provide the Rams with more cap relief than most teams can offer.
San Francisco 49ers
5 of 5
Rams Receive: 2025 second-round pick, WR Jacob Cowing
49ers Receive: WR Cooper Kupp
The thought of Cooper Kupp donning a 49ers jersey might be too much for some Rams fans to stomach. But few teams should have more motivation to swing a big receiver trade than the Niners.
The Niners have been close to breaking through and winning a Lombardi Trophy over the last five years. They've either played in the Super Bowl or the NFC Championship Game four times in that stretch.
This season, they aren't trending in that direction. The Niners sit at 3-4, and a slew of injuries has made it harder for them to compete.
The injury news got worse early this week when it was confirmed that Brandon Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL. Injuries to Jauan Jennings and Chris Conley are working to compound the Niners' receiver woes, while Deebo Samuel is recovering from pneumonia.
Trading for Kupp could help the Niners need to get their season back on track. However, convincing the Rams to trade him to a rival might take additional incentive.
That could mean not only giving up the second-round pick that the Rams are reportedly seeking, but also throwing in 2024 fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing.
The rookie was called into action for the Niners last week and flashed with two catches for 50 yards in addition to his punt return duties. He would give the Rams a developmental player on a rookie contract in place of Kupp.
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