The NFL offseason is moving fast and the landscape around the league is really starting to change. Myles Garrett asked the Cleveland Browns for a trade and that’s one the Detroit Lions could be interested in, but one that makes a lot of sense for the Lions now is Rams receiver Cooper Kupp.
The Rams have informed Kupp that they will trade him this offseason and it seems like he could have some input on where he winds up.
This is not the first time that Kupp and the Lions have been mentioned in the same sentence this year. At the trade deadline, the Rams were looking to trade Kupp, and the Lions were among the betting favorites to land him. However, a trade didn’t make sense because of what the Rams wanted at that time and because the Lions needed pass rushers significantly more.
Now the move makes a lot more sense. The Lions could look to keep Tim Patrick and he was a lot of help in this offense last year, but the Lions are expected to be on the lookout for another receiver this year. Kupp could be that guy and the Lions could get him at a decent price. Here’s our proposal.
The Rams may want to get a little more, but it’s going to be unlikely for them. At this point, Kupp has dealt with some injuries and he’s a suitable WR2 at best. In Detroit, he would be a WR3, but he would still get plenty of action and be a vital part of this offense.
There’s already a rapport with Jared Goff and Lions GM Brad Holmes was the guy that scouted Kupp going into the 2017 NFL Draft. Holmes credits Kupp as one of the players who taught him about drafting for character. There’s a relationship there and Kupp is someone that would fit the culture here.
The problem is going to be Kupp’s contract. It’s a hefty one and would need to be restructured by any team that brings him in. The Lions would have to find a way to push some of that money back and maybe add on some extra years. Ultimately though, it’s going to be the factor that helps whoever gets him, get him for cheap.
What could ultimately happen is that the Rams have a lot of trouble trading him with the contract and the two sides ultimately decide to release Kupp and make him a free agent. It’s there that the Lions could still be the optimal choice for Kupp and where Detroit can get him cheaper without having to do a restructure.
We’ll see what happens in the coming weeks, but don’t be surprised to see Kupp attached to the Lions in a lot of trade rumors.
