Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp ($7,000 Play-Action) is a Super Bowl champion, franchise legend, and one of the best Division III products of all time. But is he still a star fantasy wide receiver?
It’s been an up-and-down season for the 2021 AP Offensive Player of the Year. Kupp started his season with a monster performance but has been inconsistent since returning from a four-week injury layoff on October 24, crossing the 100-yard plateau just twice in six games. Sunday’s 21-14 win over the New Orleans Saints was Kupp’s most modest performance yet, as he hauled in just three catches from six targets for 17 yards and no scores.
Second-year wide receiver Puka Nacua ($7,700), who finished second last year to Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud in AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, has begun to solidify himself as quarterback Matthew Stafford’s top target. Nacua returned from injury on the same day as Kupp, but in the six games since, he has racked up nearly 100 more yards and garnered more targets in four contests despite playing fewer snaps.
Kupp and Nacua will both face a tough matchup next Sunday, when the Rams host the Buffalo Bills and their eighth-ranked passing defense. Rams head coach Sean McVay might opt to run the ball more against a Buffalo team that allows the third-most yards per carry to opposing backs, which will limit both Rams receivers’ DFS upsides. Of the two, Nacua probably has a higher ceiling, given that he has a higher average depth of target and more yards per reception this season than Kupp.
Still, fantasy players shouldn’t write off Kupp just yet. Even during his best seasons, Kupp has still had the occasional quiet performance, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him bounce back with a big performance against the Bills. And if they want any chance of topping the cramped NFC West standings, the Rams may need him to.
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