LA Blockbuster? Trade Idea Sends Rams WR Cooper Kupp to Giants
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While the NFL is a business, and trades happen, generally speaking, a team will do its best to keep superstars for as long as it can. However, when a Super Bowl "window" finds itself potentially closing, you see said superstars traded or released.
That has been the case so far this offseason for the Los Angeles Rams as just two years removed from a Super Bowl Win they are moving on from key pieces. The most notable, of course, is the trade of Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins.
Now, though, with Ramsey gone and the future not shining as bright as it once was, the Rams could make further moves. If they do, Bleacher Report proposed a potential blockbuster trade that would signify a full-scale teardown and rebuild in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Rams receive: 2023 first-round pick (No. 25 overall), 2023 third-round pick (No. 89 overall), 2024 third-round pick
New York Giants receive: WR Cooper Kupp
"While the Rams have been reluctant to embrace a full-blown rebuild in wake of their disappointing 2022 campaign, they've been parting ways with key pieces of their title run this offseason.
With little cash to spare, few reinforcements arriving from the open market and no first-round pick this year, it will be tough for the Rams to field a competitive squad in 2023. Since the cracks in this foundation are now showing, it could be time for them to tear it all down and start over."
There are few receivers in the NFL that are better than Kupp, as he is only two years removed from an Offensive Player of the Year campaign which saw him haul in 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading the NFL in all three categories.
Even last season when he only appeared in nine games before missing the rest of the season with a high ankle sprain, Kupp recorded 75 receptions for 812 yards and six touchdowns.
Superstar receivers don't grow on trees, and trading Kupp is likely not a path the Rams want to find themselves go down. However, if they did, the proposed package they receive from the Giants in this scenario is not a bad haul.
They would have a first-round pick in the upcoming draft once again, as well as gaining draft capital in the later rounds both this year and next to either fill out the roster or use in trades as they deem necessary.
You can never rule any potential trades out in the NFL, as you never know who might become available down the line as was seen by the trade of Ramsey. That being said, trading Kupp only handcuffs the Rams on offense and would seem to signify a full-fledged rebuilding effort.
For now, Kupp is a Ram and will be for the foreseeable future - with the Rams more than happy to hold onto their superstar talent.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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