Cooper Kupp isn’t your typical receiver. Yes, he’s one of the best at catching passes and making plays in the open field, but he also might be the best blocking receiver in the NFL. The Rams use him as a blocker fairly often, whether he’s in the slot, split out wide or attached the formation as a tight end.
That’s resulted in some tough matchups for Kupp when it comes to blocking edge rushers. He’ll either chip them on passing plays or help his tackles and tight ends on running plays, doing whatever it takes to make a rep successful.
There was one time, though, when he almost got destroyed by Khalil Mack. He told the story on the Colin Cowherd Podcast recently, describing what happened two years ago.
“I’ve had to block Jadeveon Clowney off the edge. I’ve had to block Khalil Mack,” he said. “You know, Khalil Mack two years ago when he was with Chicago, I had to block him on the back side a couple times and there was one play where he grabs me – it was kind of a cut-off block. I wasn’t, like, straight-up with him, but I cut him off pretty good, and he got me and he was this close to choke slamming me. I was able at the last second, I felt he was about to come and I just yell, ‘Khalil!’ and he luckily pulled off. He was laughing afterwards but he had a chance to really do some damage to me. But there’s been some guys that I’ve had to block that are great in this league, but I’ve also learned some good stuff from our tackles and the guys that have taught me a few little techniques to be able to weasel my way into losing with dignity in some situations.”
Kupp is bigger than most people realize, being 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds, but he’s no match for Mack – who’s 6-3 and 252 pounds of pure muscle. Kupp held his own, like he always does against bigger opponents, but it sounds like that matchup with Mack could’ve gotten ugly.
He’ll get another matchup with Mack next season when the Rams and Chargers square off on New Year’s Day.