# John Middlekauff: Middlekauff says Cooper Kupp's release by the Rams is inevitable because his $20 million salary makes him untradeable at age 31 after injuries.

**Claimed:** Feb 5, 2025
**Pundit:** John Middlekauff — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/pundits/john-middlekauff
**Outlet:** The Colin Cowherd Podcast (podcast) — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/outlets/the-colin-cowherd-podcast-podcast
**How it reached us:** said on air or in an interview
**Original:** https://omny.fm/shows/the-colin-cowherd-podcast/colin-cowherd-podcast-super-bowl-preview-where-do

One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened.

It names 2 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

The call scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess at the same calls.

> I think the Rams know what's inevitable, and that is cutting him because you can't even eat enough money to trade him.

*(their words, quoted for attribution)*

## The claims

- **Cooper Kupp to make the roster**
  - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess

## Who this take is about

- Cooper Kupp — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/cooper-kupp
- Los Angeles Rams — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/rams

## What others said about the same people

- Jeremy Brener on Cooper Kupp: Brener projects Seattle's wide receiver room to include Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed, Tory Horton, Jake Bobo and rookie Emmanuel Henderson Jr. on the 53-man roster, leaving Montorie Foster Jr. fighting for a spot despite a strong camp and preseason showing. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/088305f4-1eb4-405b-ab92-b6fd87dfb228 (scored 100)
- Nathan Jahnke on C.J. Daniels: An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/47566b48-8024-4960-b25c-11c03fe43543 (scored 100)
- Blaine Grisak on Wesley Bailey: Grisak argues Wesley Bailey has essentially played his way onto the Rams' roster after a 10-pressure preseason game, suggests Dean Connors and Tim Keenan III could be cut and stashed on the practice squad, and makes a case for Jarquez Hunter making the 53 despite bubble status. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/dd80ddb6-ed9f-4eb7-9ec6-58f9e56d90d8 (scored 0)
- Nathan Jahnke on Xavier Smith: PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a large number of depth-chart, role and fantasy-value calls across the league, including Chig Okonkwo as a top sleeper tight end, Tre Tucker as the Raiders' top receiver, and various backfield hierarchies. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/760054fd-7815-4b86-a9e3-bc9bdb0a730b (scored 100)
- Daniel Jeremiah on Stetson Bennett: Jeremiah suggested Omarion Hampton could lead the NFL in rushing this season, praising the Chargers' run scheme and offensive line, and predicted the Chargers reach the playoffs. He also named the Eagles and Bengals as overlooked contenders, picked Carson Beck to start before Fernando Mendoza, said the Raiders aren't a playoff team, and leaned toward the Rams keeping three quarterbacks with Stetson Bennett ahead of Ty Simpson. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/9cd2f039-aef5-4d09-b915-483870788087 (scored 100)
- Blaine Grisak on Tanner Ingle: After the Rams' first preseason game, Grisak predicted the full 53-man roster, naming three quarterbacks, four running backs, five receivers, five tight ends, nine offensive linemen, four linebackers, six defensive linemen, four edge rushers, five cornerbacks, five safeties and three special teamers, with Dean Connors headed for the practice squad instead. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/893ce849-9f8b-40c4-b5bc-a578611b14f8 (scored 100)

## More roster spot calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

- Fox Sports on J.J. McCarthy: FOX Sports projects Kyle McCord as Miami's backup behind starter Malik Willis, Mitchell Trubisky as Tennessee's primary backup behind starter Cam Ward, and J.J. McCarthy making the Vikings' 53-man roster. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/dcd95051-2c24-4226-be5d-ff36732ce5dc (scored 100)
- Nathan Jahnke on Devin Duvernay: PFF's preseason usage recap makes a number of depth-chart and roster projections, including nine rookie receivers slotting as top-three options on their teams, sleeper tight end usage, and specific depth-chart placements for Cardinals, Falcons and Ravens players. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/8f52d1f8-91ed-459c-99a7-30c2d3fb38e0 (scored 100)
- Nathan Jahnke on Ameer Abdullah: An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/47566b48-8024-4960-b25c-11c03fe43543 (scored 100)
- Noah Compton on Caden Curry: After the Colts' preseason finale loss to Detroit, Compton projected several roster and depth-chart outcomes: Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback, rookie A.J. Haulcy as the starting strong safety, Seth McGowan as the backup running back, and rookie defensive ends George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry making the initial 53-man roster, while receiver Deion Burks appears likely to be cut. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/fa7eba23-4322-47d7-b21e-7adb82e6b325 (scored 100)
- Patricia Traina on Paulson Adebo: Traina projects the Giants' initial 53-man roster position by position, naming who makes the team and who lands on the practice squad, including keeping Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Evan Neal (with a possible trade), Dalen Cambre over Braxton Berrios, Lucas Patrick as backup center, and Dominic Zvada as the kicker. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/8bb1a183-b45b-44db-8a61-23bdd2238a6b (scored 100)
- Nathan Jahnke on Devin Duvernay: PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a series of depth-chart, roster and usage projections based on final-week preseason snap counts, including Ja'Kobi Lane locking down the Ravens' third receiver role, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Kyle Pitts facing reduced 12-personnel usage, Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2 and Emmett Johnson as the Chiefs' backup running back. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/265cbdba-b0e0-4f80-9665-a4ca5aaec53e (scored 100)

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Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages.

Full method: https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/methodology

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