The Lions should NOT trade for Cooper Kupp
Over the weekend Bleacher Reports Alex Ballentine put together a list of trade ideas that could transform the league in 2023. He had quite the idea for the Detroit Lions. What if the Lions traded for Cooper Kupp? Here's the details. The Rams would send Cooper Kupp to the Lions for a 2024 first round […]
Over the weekend Bleacher Reports Alex Ballentine put together a list of trade ideas that could transform the league in 2023. He had quite the idea for the Detroit Lions. What if the Lions traded for Cooper Kupp? Here's the details.
The Rams would send Cooper Kupp to the Lions for a 2024 first round pick, a 2024 third round pick (the one they got from the Vikings in the T.J. Hockenson trade) and a 2025 third round pick.
That is a ton. I would actually say that's way too much. Not that this is a real trade or that there are any rumors of this happening, but here's why the Lions should stay away from it if were.
First off, Cooper Kupp is 30 years old. Yes, he had one of the best receiving seasons in NFL history two years ago, but the time to make a move for Kupp has passed. You're not getting that Kupp. you're getting the Kupp that's two years older and is coming off an ankle injury that required surgery.
The second problem is that Kupp is making a ton of money. There's a lot of Lions fans out there that don't want the team to bring in DeAndre Hopkins because of the payday they expect him to get. While I think it's weird that fans care about the teams money, I know they'll hate bringing in the third highest paid receiver in the NFL.
Look, I get it. Kupp is good. He's still going to be a good after the injury too. That wasn't the end of Kupp. Matthew Stafford and the Rams will be glad to have him. There's also no way they're going to want to trade him based off the $39+ million they owe him in dead cap. Not too mention they just did this a month ago.
He's not going anywhere. Now, if the Rams were willing to trade him and they were willing to do so for something less, then I would probably say go for it. A second round pick would even be better. But giving away the teams first round pick and their extra third round pick along with a 2025 third rounder is just too much.
The Lions do need some help at receiver. Especially during the first six games of the season when they'll be missing Jameson Williams due to suspension. But this just isn't the way to go. Personally, I would be calling DeAndre Hopkins to see what he's looking for before I hit the trade block, but that's just me.
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