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- Aug 7, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) interacts with fans after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Cooper Kupp 2025 NFL Redraft Outlook: Triple-Crown Fall Off for Fantasy?

Originally posted on Total Apex Fantasy Sports
By Andrew Kim | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 10:14 AM ET

Cooper Kupp’s move to Seattle has me scratching my head, as this move from the Los Angeles Rams to the division rival Seahawks seems to be a negative for fantasy. After eight seasons tearing up defenses in Los Angeles, the former Offensive Player of the Year finds himself in the Pacific Northwest, and frankly, this feels like a classic case of “be careful what you wish for.”

Cooper Kupp 2024 Stats and Fantasy Production

Let’s cut through the noise here. Kupp just wrapped up another injury-shortened campaign, his third straight season missing significant time. The guy managed just 12 games last year, posting respectable numbers (710 yards, six touchdowns) but leaving fantasy managers pulling their hair out. At 32 years old, Father Time isn’t exactly sending friendly text messages.

Now he’s dealing with a complete system overhaul. Gone are the days of Matthew Stafford finding him in the slot with pinpoint precision. Instead, Kupp’s banking on Sam Darnold, a quarterback who’s had more fresh starts than a NASCAR race, to resurrect both their careers simultaneously.

Here’s where things get messy. Darnold looked like a revelation in Minnesota last season, but that was with Kevin O’Connell calling plays and an offensive system that maximized his strengths. Seattle’s offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, is talented, don’t get me wrong, but asking Darnold to replicate his Vikings magic with a completely different supporting cast?

The chemistry between quarterback and receiver doesn’t just magically appear. Kupp and Stafford spent years perfecting their timing routes, developing that telepathic connection that made those crossing patterns look effortless. Building that rapport with Darnold in a compressed timeline while learning a new playbook? Good luck with that.

Cooper Kupp 2025 Fantasy Outlook

Aug 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) returns to the locker room following early pregame warmups against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Kupp himself dropped some truth bombs during Seattle’s preseason preparations, admitting the competition level in exhibition games “just isn’t the same” as regular-season action. For a veteran who’s only played in three preseason games throughout his entire career, this honesty speaks volumes about where his head’s at.

But here’s the kicker: Kupp’s honesty about preseason competition might be revealing something deeper about his current mindset. When you’re 32, coming off multiple injury-plagued seasons, and trying to mesh with a new quarterback in an unfamiliar system, every rep matters. The fact that he’s openly discussing the difference in competition levels suggests he’s acutely aware of the challenges ahead.

From a fantasy perspective, this situation screams “proceed with extreme caution.” Sure, Kupp’s per-game numbers last season (15.3 fantasy points) ranked 21st among receivers, which sounds decent until you realize he only managed 12 games. That’s the cruel paradox of Cooper Kupp in 2025 – when he’s on the field, he’s still productive. The problem is actually staying on the field.

Seattle’s receiving corps isn’t exactly stacked with proven commodities either. After trading away DK Metcalf, the Seahawks are basically handing Kupp the keys to the kingdom and hoping he can stay healthy long enough to make it work. Not to mention breakout candidate to be the receiver one in that offense with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. For Kupp, that’s a lot of pressure for a player whose body has been betraying him for three consecutive seasons.

Look, I want to believe in the Cooper Kupp redemption story as much as the next guy. The man was absolutely electric during his 2021 Triple Crown season, and flashes of that brilliance still exist. But fantasy football isn’t about nostalgia: it’s about cold, hard production, and right now, Kupp represents more risk than reward.

The Seahawks essentially rolled the dice on two aging players trying to recapture past glory. Sometimes that works out beautifully. More often than not, it ends with frustrated fantasy managers wondering why they didn’t see the warning signs coming.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Fantasy Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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