Nobody is going to trade for that contract. And Austin would be an idiot to take a cut in pay. Not going to be a trade, not even for a 7th round pick. And he's certainly worth more than that.
So the Rams will keep 6 WRs; 1 more than the typical NFL average.
Austin, Watkins, Woods, Kupp, Cooper and Reynolds.
Thomas has placed himself in a precarious position due to being suspended for the 1st month of the season. This means that Cooper will get 4 games to make himself entrenched. Of course, Cooper could stub his toe, in which case the door opens for Thomas. But Cooper looks awfully steady to me.
But either way, Cooper and Reynolds will be our 5th and 6th WRs. One will not be suiting up on most game days; my guess is that's Reynolds. Cooper and Thomas were our 2 primary KO returners and Thomas does'n't play 'til November. So, it's Cooper.
Of course, depending on how things go down, Reynolds could elevate himself above Cooper at some point. And Austin could be used for KO return duty. Let's face, there is NO way barring injury or discipline that Austin, Watkins, Woods and Kupp won't suit up on game day. That leaves room for 1 more, and that 1 more must play STs. That's Cooper.
And BTW: Why in the world McVay would let ANY KO return take place if the ball is kicked into the end zone is beyond me. We don't have a home run hitter doing the duty, and the odds are low of reaching the 25 yard line. EVERY TIME a kick off goes into the end zone, even 1 yard, it ought to be downed. Cuts way down on penalties, takes fumbles completely out of the equation, and automatically gives us decent field position at the 25. A no brainer to me. But that's not what I see happening in the NFL and it boggles the mind.
