Rams vs. Redskins: Three players to watch for on Sunday

WR Cooper Kupp

The Los Angeles Rams selected Cooper Kupp out of the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Kupp was a quality pick at the 69th overall selection, a quality pick that many believed to be a sleep candidate of the 2017 NFL Draft. Kupp backed up any hype around him with a solid week one performance in the limited amount of targets he did get.

Although there was talk about Kupp becoming a sleeper pick out of the third round, it was one of those discussions that were taken very lightly. Kupp did have the tools to succeed in the NFL slot, but he the step from college to the NFL should have hindered him. Don’t get me wrong, he is talented, but my worry after the draft was that he wouldn’t be ready to help Goff now.

After week one, I may stand corrected.

Granted, one week against a garbage Colts defense is not the most definitive proof that Kupp is the real deal. However, his four catches for 76 yards and one touchdown is a positive sign moving forward. Kupp was targeted just six times throughout the game, it will be interesting to see how head coach Sean McVay alters the playbook to get Kupp more involved.

Running Kupp in the slot will seemingly eat the Redskins alive. Aside from Josh Norman, Washington seems to be fairly thin in the cornerback department and could be picked apart from solid second and third option receivers. The defensive emphasis is going to be around Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods, leaving more room to thrive for Kupp.

Week one may not be a consistent performance that Kupp will have throughout this season, but it certainly should carry on to week two.