NFL Trade Deadline: 7 trade destinations for WR Cooper Kupp, ranked

As the Los Angeles Rams' season heads toward the depths of despair, many are speculating about the availability of star wideout Cooper Kupp. The 31-year-old receiver has had a hot and cold start to the season, and rumors are slowly starting to grow as the NFL trade deadline approaches on November 5th.

With Los Angeles willing to cover a portion of Kupp's salary and only asking for a second-round pick in exchange, it feels like the end of Kupp's tenure in LA is near. Kupp is an interesting receiver, with most of his success coming from the slot, motion and free release. He may not be for everyone, but there are plenty of Shanahan and McVay offenses out there, so it's definitely worth a try. That being said, which teams can or should trade him? We've ranked the top seven destinations, starting with a few strong candidates.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Monday night was a hellish game for the Bucks offense. Not only did they lose to the Baltimore Ravens in a game that wasn't as close as the final score indicated, but they also lost receiver Chris Godwin to a dislocated ankle. Additionally, with another top receiver, Mike Evans, out early with a hamstring injury, the Bucs will take a big swing to keep their playoff hopes alive with Godwin out for the season and not much known about Evans' status. It is necessary to

Adding Kupp to this offense would be the same thing Godwin did for Tampa Bay. Kupp has tremendous ability in the short to mid-range areas of the field, and assuming Mike Evans returns this season, he'll tackle this offense much like he did in Los Angeles. Remember, Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Cohen was on the Rams' staff from 2018 to 2020, starting a year after Kupp was drafted. Familiarity with the scheme and overall needs make this a top destination.

2. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens need to keep their foot on the gas. Already boasting one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL, adding Kupp to this roster will help them find even more success from top to bottom. With WR Zay Flowers bringing juice to the offense and Rashod Bateman hitting QB Lamar Jackson as an outside receiver, it would be great to have another receiver to take snaps from Nelson Agholor in the slot. Probably. Once Kupp comes in, he will enjoy all the attention that will be focused on the Ravens' run game and will be able to play isoball against linebackers and safeties.

The only problem with this destination is that the Ravens have 12 and 21 players. With snaps given to receivers already limited, Kupp will likely replace Bateman as part of a larger talent group. But for a team like Baltimore that needs another push to get to the Super Bowl, it's a good problem to have.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs desperately need another receiver. Hollywood Brown and Laci Rice are out for the season, JuJu Smith-Schuster is still nursing a hamstring injury, and QB Patrick Mahomes is throwing passes to Justin Watson and Skye Moore. Kupp brings an additional element to the Chiefs' death with his cross-route offense and could add more success in the middle of the field area. If the Rams really want to shoulder the majority of Kupp's salary, the Chiefs should be one of the first teams knocking on the door in Los Angeles for Kupp's services — which could mean they're in the Super Bowl again. It might help you advance.

4. Los Angeles Chargers

So…this is easy. Have you seen who QB Justin Herbert is pitching to? A diverse lineup of players like Rudd McConkie, Simi Fehoko, and Quentin Johnston isn't enough for the Chargers to consistently win football games. do not have. In the AFC, where the wild card spot is wide open, the Chargers have the QB and defensive play-calling to seriously advance. For that to happen, playmakers will need to step up. Herbert and wide receiver Keenan Allen had a great rapport during Allen's time in LA, and Kupp shares a similar skill set. Kupp's addition will likely move everyone else on the roster into more complementary roles that are better suited to their talents at this stage in their careers.

Additionally, Kupp doesn't even have to change his locker or home address.

5. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas' season is just one step away, and the offense isn't as good as it once was. The biggest reason is that there is no real threat at receiver other than CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys have run the sixth-most routes against man coverage this season and have the seventh-worst EPA per target as a team. They desperately need someone other than Lamb to step up, and Kupp could be that guy.

The only reason Dallas isn't at the top is because they think what they have is enough (lol), and Kupp takes up the same space on the field as Lamb, so a lot of You will get duplicates. That being said, if anyone is going to take a big swing, it could be the Cowboys.

6. San Francisco 49ers

Trades within the division, especially between rivals like the Rams and Niners, are rare. But this deal makes a lot of sense for San Francisco. WR Brandon Aiyuk is out for the rest of the season with torn ACL and MCL, WR Deebo Samuel is hospitalized with pneumonia and Jauan Jennings is also injured. Not to mention, running back Christian McCaffrey is suffering from bilateral Achilles tendonitis. So the current skill position group consists of TE George Kittle, FB Kyle Juszczyk, WR Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, and Ronnie Bell. The 49ers play a lot of man coverage as we've seen, so getting players who can consistently separate will be key. Kupp could fill that power slot role next to Pearsall when the Niners go to 21 players, and could be more versatile once Samuel returns.

I highly doubt that will happen, but the Niners are hanging on to their playoff hopes here. They might need to take a swing.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have been looking for receiver help since the offseason, and missing out on both Brandon Aiyuk and Davante Adams (regardless of how realistic that was) hurt. Pittsburgh is in good shape as a team to win, and Kupp will help deliver that. He could operate in the slot, where WR George Pickens takes most of the outside duties, and with as many snaps as the Steelers play with bigger personnel, Kupp could find a spot to win quick games. you can find it.

Catching passes from Russell Wilson (or Justin Fields) might not be the most appealing option, but the Steelers are a playoff team. Kupp can find success there.