El Paso’s Fantasy Fumble: Cooper Kupp Pick Leaves More Questions Than Answers
By Dale Walters and Adam Ireland
In the high-stakes world of fantasy football, the 2023 NAFC Fantasy Draft left fantasy enthusiasts across the nation buzzing with excitement and intrigue. However, it was the El Paso Red Devils’ baffling decision to select wide receiver Cooper Kupp with the third overall pick that raised eyebrows and sent shockwaves through the league.
Kupp, a talented receiver by all accounts, carries with him a lengthy injury history that cannot be ignored. From torn ligaments to nagging muscle strains, Kupp’s medical chart resembles a novel rather than a player profile. Yet, the Red Devils seemingly brushed aside these concerns, putting all their chips on the injury-prone receiver.
What makes this choice even more puzzling is the caliber of talent they passed on to secure Kupp. Running back Austin Ekeler, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, and the versatile Christian McCaffery were all available, and any of them would have been safer and more sensible picks for a team aiming for championship glory.
Ekeler, a dynamic running back with a knack for scoring touchdowns, could have given the Red Devils a consistent scoring option without the injury baggage. Hill, a speedster with unmatched explosiveness, has been a fantasy football darling for years, while McCaffery’s dual-threat capabilities make him a fantasy stud when healthy.
El Paso’s lofty claims of a breakout championship season now seem more like wishful thinking than a credible forecast. A successful fantasy season hinges on making smart decisions, and the Kupp pick raises questions about the Red Devils’ ability to make sound choices.
Perhaps the most damning aspect of this debacle is Kupp’s minimum four-game absence. How can El Paso expect to compete in 2023 when they’ve invested their top pick in a player who won’t be on the field for a quarter of the season? In a league where every game matters, this setback could be catastrophic for the Red Devils.
As the dust settles on the 2023 NAFC Fantasy Draft, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the media’s early playoff predictions for El Paso may need a swift retraction. The gamble on Cooper Kupp and the rejection of safer, more proven options like Ekeler, Hill, and McCaffery have put the Red Devils’ championship aspirations in jeopardy. It’s a harsh reminder that in fantasy football, as in sports, making the right decisions is paramount, and El Paso’s latest move may haunt them all season long.
