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Cooper Kupp, WR: A Prototypical Fit In Jay Gruden’s Offense?

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2017 Draft prospects that could contribute to the Redskins

By Gabe Ward
Eastern Washington v Oregon Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images

Cooper Kupp, WR
School: Eastern Washington | Conference: Big Sky
College Experience: RS Senior | Age: 23
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 204 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd or 3rd Round
NFL Comparison: Keenan Allen

College Statistics

Player Overview

Cooper Kupp is no doubt one of the best small school prospects in this entire draft. Kupp is a tactician and has clear technical proficiency at the receiver position. He has had an insane amount of production at the college level and not only dominated the teams in the Big Sky conference but put up massive numbers against big schools during his career like Washington, Oregon, and Washington State. He set several records at Eastern Washington including becoming the all-time leader in receptions and touchdowns. Kupp has some of the strongest hands in this class is natural lining up in the slot or on the outside. Kupp is just a decent athlete but more than makes up for it with his route running proficiency (he really understands the nuances of selling routes), ability to attack the ball and make tough catches and his high motor and toughness. Kupp has the potential to be a dynamic receiver for a team that prioritizes west coast principles in their offense. Could the Redskins be in play in the second or third round?

Strengths

  • Good height for the position and decent frame but also has room to add on muscle mass if needed.
  • Natural and smooth hands, he makes the tough ones look routine. Attacks the ball at its high point and has a good habit of tucking it away before contact.
  • Is a better route runner than Ryan Grant. Seriously, runs routes with great precision and can sell defenders down the river with the nuances. Head fakes and stutter steps make defenders second guess while he creates separation. Ran a simplistic but diverse route tree at EW.
  • Is smart but is no pushover will lower his head and make contact for extra yards. High effort player with confidence.

Weaknesses

  • Just a decent athlete if he has more to his jets he'd be a 1st round lock. “Slow” and gradual acceleration is his game. Wouldn't be surprised if corners in the NFL were able to run him down after 15 yards or so.
  • That quickness and burst issue shows up on routes that require deep cuts. He loses a step there and will have to learn of to smooth that out.
  • My biggest concern is that he was often given a free release at the LOS how will he look when he’s jammed up by bigger and stronger corners?
  • People care that he will be a 24-year-old rookie?

Let’s see his work:

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

I’m sure most on this board would hate the selection of Kupp in the 2nd or even third round but he is a real talent regardless. In my opinion, any small school/level of competition concerns were shattered when he put up three seasons with over 1,600 receiving yards and had had at least 16 touchdowns each year. In addition, he lit up Sidney Jones and Marcus Peters in 2014 and has had no issue performing against big school competition with NFL level talent. Kupp isn’t the biggest or fastest but he knows arguably better than anyone in the class how to play WR. He ran a lot of short and intermediate timing based routes at Eastern Washington which is why in the overview I said he would be a good fit for a team that runs the West Coast offense or has its principles in their offense. I think he is exactly the type of receiver Jay Gruden would love. Don’t be surprised on draft night if Kupp is putting on the Burgundy and Gold.

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