Kupp says that Cooks has ‘challenged’ Ram WR’s to step up...

Cooper Kupp says Brandin Cooks has 'challenged' Rams WRs to step up

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

In each of the past two offseasons, Brandin Cooks has been traded for first-round picks. It’s proved his value in the NFL, but it also raises questions as to why the Saints and Patriots were so willing to ship him out of town.

Are there character concerns? Is he scheme-dependent? Can he stay healthy? The answers to those questions are no, no and yes. Cooks has shown time and time again that he’s a great guy off the field and in the locker room, while also putting up big numbers for two separate teams with just six career games.


The Rams were elated to land the 24-year-old receiver, effectively replacing the since-departed Sammy Watkins. Cooper Kupp loves what he’s seen from Cooks thus far, and not just on the field. He’s already becoming a leader in the wide receiver room.

“Brandin coming in this year, just in terms of the way he’s meshed into this team and how he’s just, from Day 1, challenged our room to step it up and really just helping lift guys up around him, too,” Kupp said on the Doug Gottlieb Show recently. “And to add to it, he takes into this thing, it really speaks volumes to him in terms of his character, raising guys up not just in football, but everything that goes on behind the scenes, as well.”


As crazy as it sounds, Cooks is actually younger than Kupp (25) despite having four years of NFL experience under his belt. The Oregon State product came into the league at the ripe age of 20, which is part of the reason the Rams are so excited to have him under contract through 2023.

Robert Woods is the obvious choice to be the leader in the wide receiver room, but it’s becoming clear that Cooks is taking on that role, too. That’s great to see from a wide receiver acquired less than four months ago.

On the field, he’s looking to continue his consistent production, entering the year with three straight seasons of at least 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. That’ll be a difficult streak to maintain in the Rams’ “spread it around” offense, but Cooks has the talent to put up big numbers.