RELATED: See other important free-agent moves here.
Cooper Kupp Contract Terms
Cooper Kupp is signing a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks reportedly worth $45 million, according to Ian Rapoport.
Fantasy Football Impact
Cooper Kupp is coming home. The Yakima, Washington native spent eight seasons with the Los Angeles Rams following four standout seasons at FCS-level Eastern Washington. The Rams selected Kupp in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft, and he quickly found a role in Sean McVay’s offense. He finished his first season with 62 catches, 869 yards and five touchdowns. In 2021, Kupp had one of the greatest seasons ever for a wide receiver. He led the league in receptions, yards, and receiving touchdowns—the Triple Crown—while leading the Rams to a Super Bowl win. Kupp’s 1,947 receiving yards fell just short of Calvin Johnson’s single-season record, and his 145 receptions fell four short of Michael Thomas’ record of 149.
Injuries prevented Kupp from playing in more than a dozen games in any of the three seasons since, and his 710 receiving yards last season were his fewest since 2018 when a torn ACL ended his season after eight games. He suffered a high ankle sprain during Week 10 in 2022, ending that season and costing him the first four games of the 2023 season. Another ankle injury caused him to miss four games last season. Earlier this year, the Rams told Kupp he was no longer in their plans, and he was released this week after the Rams could not find a trade partner.
Washington back across my chest. Let’s go!!!!! pic.twitter.com/7TBbAvtMOj
— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) March 14, 2025
Meanwhile, the Seahawks are undergoing an offensive makeover. With Geno Smith traded to Las Vegas, the Seahawks signed Sam Darnold as their new quarterback. Wide receivers DK Metcalf (traded to Pittsburgh) and Tyler Lockett (released) are gone, leaving Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jake Bobo, and Cody White as their only receivers who caught a pass in 2024. Metcalf and Lockett combined for 211 targets, 149 receptions, and 1,730 receiving yards. The Seahawks added free agent Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who has not seen more than 81 targets or caught more than 42 passes in any season.
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The Fantasy Football Fallout
Cooper Kupp should become the team’s WR2 if he stays healthy, but he and Smith-Njigba historically lined up primarily in the same position. According to Fantasy Points Data, 65 percent of Kupp’s routes and 84 percent of Smith-Njigba’s were run from the slot. However, new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak can effectively utilize two star slot receivers.
First, I expect Smith-Njigba to be utilized more out wide because Metcalf and Lockett are gone. Last season, Metcalf ran 87 percent of his routes out wide, and Lockett ran 70 percent. Second, Kubiak frequently utilized two tight ends in formation as the Saints OC, so he is no stranger to having multiple receiving options operating out of the slot. Kubiak, whose schemes adhere to the principles of the West Coast Offense, believes in maintaining a balanced attack. Regardless of their alignment, he is creative enough to feed Smith-Njigba and Kupp while relying more on Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet from the backfield. The tradeoff may be a diminished receiving role for the team’s tight ends, who collectively had a 20 percent target share last season.
As for Darnold, he is no longer facing a bare cupboard at wide receiver. In Minnesota, he thrived with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, who were responsible for 46 percent of targets and 57 percent of the team’s receiving yards. With Cooper Kupp’s signing, Darnold again has two main receiving options. Kupp is not the same receiver as in his Triple Crown season, but he is still a significant upgrade over Jake Bobo as a number-two receiver.
Stock Watch
Risers
Fallers
Overview
Drafters should continue to target Jaxon Smith-Njigba as an elite WR1 option. Cooper Kupp has landed in a favorable spot. Temper expectations a bit -- this is not 2021 Cooper Kupp -- but consider Kupp a solid WR3/4. Jake Bobo was likely never going to become a fantasy starter, but Kupp's arrival ensures he will not. Consider Bobo a WR5/6 at best. Cody White remains off the fantasy radar. Drafters should avoid the Seahawks tight ends entirely.
Check out the Footballguys Player Movement Tracker to stay current on Cooper Kupp and the rest of the NFL’s free-agent signings. Follow me on Twitter/X at @jeffblaylock.
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