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dzrams
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max
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Speed_Kills
Kupp is an exception not the rule
Max's point is that those WRs were chosen before Jefferson for a reason ... I mean I tried to tell people that he wasn't going to come in and just tear it up
That being said hes not done developing at all. For example its clear to me that physically he can get bigger and stronger. He needs some seasoning for sure and IMO he can certainly play the role Reynolds does once Reynolds is gone
The question is (IMO) can he be better than that?... stay tuned
the article mentioned his opportunities - I just don't think most Ram fans understand how unusual it is for an offense to have this many viable receiving options. When the heck would Jefferson actually get any catches with Reynolds and Everett clearly ahead of him in the their 3 and 4 WR formations
Other teams (but for a few) just don't have all these weapons
Kupp was being talked about as a first rounder before his slow 40 time at the combine. Van was never remotely considered at that level. Just compare their college numbers.
And Van is an older rookie, not sure how much growth potential he has compared to those other guys taken ahead of him.
Maybe he can develop into a dependable solid WR, but he doesn’t look like a dynamic impact guy to me.
I get it, Van is a Ram. We love our players, but there’s a reason he slid so far, and it’s not because of a shocking slow 40 time.
Don’t get me wrong, Van is a nice pick where he was taken, many draftniks wanted Mims, who can’t even get on the field for the Jets.
The flip side to this is that Kupp and Van are the same type of player. Fundamentally sound, excellent footwork, know how to create separation, etc. but not burners.
Also, not sure why it matters where Kupp was talked about going when he was drafted later than Van.
I think Van has a decent chance of having a Kupp like projector.
I'm with you, DZ. think VJ will be very good for this team - or, at least, has the chance to be. The training camp reports on him weren't BS, just as they weren't for Kupp in 2017.
THE biggest difference, by far, between Kupp's rookie year and VJ's so far is opportunity - due to the gaping CHASM in talent and achievement between Kupp's competition in 2017 and Jefferson's competition now.
Britt/Quick/Austin/Kendrick vs. Woods/Kupp/Reynolds/Higbee - are you kidding me? Which lineup is tougher to crack for a rookie receiver? At the level of 1-on-1 comparison, the only big advantage that rookie-Kupp might have over rookie-VJ that'd be relevant is blocking ability. And I just don't know either way. But my strong guess is that rookie-Kupp would be getting the same very limited opportunities VJ is getting now if he had 3-years-in Kupp, Woods, etc., competing for touches ahead of him. Conversely, had VJ broken in when Kupp did, he'd be seeing the field a lot more.
