Cooper Kupp
WR, Eastern Washington · 2017 NFL Draft, Round 3, pick #69 (LAR)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a steal: his age, school, testing and position profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #64 (#7 at his position), close to where he went (#69). The whole market, not just his team, missed on him.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.6% of the time (2,104 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
24 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 44.9% of the time (548 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
Eastern Washington: not a Power-conference school (our conference list).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.5% of the time (1,426 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Athletic testing
Ran a 4.62 40-yard dash at 204 lbs: faster than 5% of WRs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.2% of the time (1,232 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
WR (WR group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 40.4% of the time (718 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 119 of ~149 possible regular-season games from 2017 through 2025 (~80%). Plus 7 games so far in 2026.
Every line comes from data: nflverse draft, combine and career data; ESPN's pre-draft ranks. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numberslive
| Games | 126 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 7 |
| Pro Bowls | 1 |
| First-team All-Pro | 1 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 63 |
| 2026 in-season credit (est.) | 2.1 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 65.1 |
| Passing | undefined/5, 0 yds, undefined TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | 26 att, 139 yds, 1 TD |
| Receiving | 697 rec, 8,548 yds, 60 TD |
| Defense | 3 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2017 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2017 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| Age 24 or older | 44.9% n=548 | |
| School Non-Power school (Group of 5 / FCS / smaller) | 50.5% n=1,426 | |
| Athletic testing Bottom 25% at his position | 50.2% n=1,232 | |
| Position WR | 40.4% n=718 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 2", 204 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.62 s |
| Vertical | 31" |
| Broad jump | 116" |
| 3-cone | 6.75 s |
| Shuttle | 4.08 s |
| Age at draft | 24 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #64 overall (#7 WR) |
Picked around him 2017 redraft
| 66 | Ahkello Witherspoon | redraft #83 |
| 67 | Alvin Kamara | redraft #5 |
| 68 | Dawuane Smoot | redraft #99 |
| 70 | Pat Elflein | redraft #73 |
| 71 | Dan Feeney | redraft #46 |
| 72 | Taywan Taylor | redraft #148 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.