The Los Angeles Rams are seemingly starting a soft rebuild. They'll be moving on from long-time contributors and adding youth to the roster to ensure they can compete for years to come. To begin their overhaul, the Rams are trading Cooper Kupp, an outcome he's not thrilled about but accepts. Given that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank, Justin Melo of The Draft Network thinks that the former All-Pro receiver has several suitors, including the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Melo drew up a list of teams that could trade for Kupp and included the Jags, noting that they could use help at wide receiver in light of Christian Kirk's potential departure in the offseason. Moreover, he thinks the receiver's relationship with Coen makes Jacksonville a realistic landing spot.
"Brian Thomas Jr. is a budding superstar, but the Jaguars may part ways with Christian Kirk this offseason, creating a need for alternative options. The Gabe Davis acquisition hasn't panned out either. Coen possesses direct ties to Kupp, having coached him for four seasons (2018-20, 2022), including a stint as his assistant wide receivers coach. Kupp could be interested in reuniting with Coen, who has earned the title of offensive genius after what he did with Baker Mayfield in Tampa."
As Melo noted, Kirk is projected to be either a trade candidate or a cap casualty. He's set to have a cap number of $24 million but releasing him would free up $10 million in space. On the other hand, Gabe Davis was unremarkable last year before he suffered a knee injury. He could bounce back in 2025 but there's an equal chance he won't. That's why the Jags could reinforce their wide receiver corps.
Aside from 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville doesn't have many proven options. Parker Washington is in the mix and is ready for a bigger workload after an encouraging sophomore campaign. Having said that, Trevor Lawrence could use more weapons aside from him. Enter Kupp.
A third-round pick in 2017, the Eastern Washington product has missed 18 games the past three years but he's been reliable when he's suited up, hauling in 201 catches for 2,259 with 17 touchdowns since 2022. In fact, Los Angeles doesn't want to move on from him because he's no longer productive but rather because it's looking to add as many draft picks as possible.
The Jaguars can afford to trade for Cooper Kupp
Throughout his stint with the Los Angeles Rams, Cooper Kupp has mostly lined up in the slot. That's also where Christian Kirk plays. That's why you could argue that the Jacksonville Jaguars should take on his cap hit of $24 million for 2024 and keep the devil they know.
On the other hand, Liam Coen may want to bring in some of his own guys, and his familiarity with Kupp could incentivize the Jags to tarde for Kupp. For the sake of the argument, let's say that's the route they take. The team's brass can then release Kirk, free up $10 million in cap space, and offer a third-round selection for the 2021 triple-crown winner.
Jacksonville acquired an extra third-round selection last year when it moved down six spots in the draft. It can use the selection to trade for Kupp. On the other hand, his stock isn't particularly high, so maybe a fourth can get a deal done.
It's also worth noting that the Rams may be willing to pay part of Kupp's salary to facilitate a deal. That could convince Coen and the Jags to pull the trigger.
The bottom line is that the Jaguars can trade for Cooper Kupp if they want to. That doesn't mean that they will, but don't be surprised if Liam Coen pounds the table for his guy.