In the 2017 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams selected wide receiver Cooper Kupp No. 69 overall out of Eastern Washington. He surprised a lot of people as a rookie, catching 62 passes for 869 yards and five touchdowns.

In the following season, appearing in only eight games, Kupp caught 40 passes for 566 yards and six touchdowns. It was an excellent start for anyone to their professional career, let alone a player that was selected in the third round after six other wide receivers.

None of those players have come close to producing at the level Kupp has. But, not even the most optimistic of Kupp supporters could have predicted what was coming, as the Eastern Washington product has turned into a superstar-level player. He can make a strong claim to being the best wide receiver in the NFL and the stats would back it up.

Since 2019, Kupp leads the league in numerous categories among wide receivers. He has the most receiving yards with 4,082 and has forced 53 missed tackles, which also leads the position. Last but not least, Kupp has 89 receptions that have gone for at least 15 yards. The statistics were provided by PFF.

That impressive stretch includes a triple crown during the 2021 season. Kupp led the NFL in receptions, yardage and receiving touchdowns with 145 catches for 1,947 yards and 16 scores. Kupp won the Offensive Player of the Year award and finished third in the MVP voting with that performance. He immediately made a connection with Matthew Stafford, who was acquired from the Detroit Lions and helped elevate the Rams to another level.

The tandem helped lead Los Angeles to a Super Bowl victory in their first season together and they are hoping to replicate that success in the 2022 season. An adept route runner with elite after-the-catch ability, Cooper Kupp should be in for another huge season as Stafford’s No. 1 target.