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https://www.therams.com/news/cooper-looking-to-grow-as-a-receiver
Cooper Looking to Grow as a Receiver
Myles Simmons
Rams Insider
Pharoh Cooper entered the league in 2016 as a fourth-round pick. Back then, he looked like he had a chance to significantly upgrade the Rams’ wide receiving corps, as the club’s top two wideouts combined for just 1,154 yards receiving and eight touchdowns the year before.
Cooper suffered a preseason shoulder injury, which undeniably set him back a bit to contribute in his rookie season.
But in his second year, Cooper. Became an All-Pro returner on both kick and punt returns — earring a trip to the Pro Bowl for his performance. He led the league with 27.4 yards per kick return, and finished second with 12.5 yards per punt return.
But even as Los Angeles boasts one of the better young receiving groups in the league — led by Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, and Brandin Cooks — Cooper is looking to make an impact as a receiver.
“Absolutely, I’ve never lost focus of that,” Cooper said during the offseason program. “This is my role right now, I’m a punt returner and kickoff returner, but I’ll never let the punt return or kick return take over the fact that I’m also a receiver.”
In 2017, Cooper made 11 receptions for 84 yards on 19 targets. He also took an end around for six yards, showing some versatility out of the receiver spot. In all, Cooper’s made 25 receptions for 190 yards in his first two seasons as a pro.
And so even as Cooper’s focus heading into 2018 is mainly to be the best returner he can be, he’s been investing in himself as an offensive player, too.
“I got drafted to play receiver, so I hope to play for a long career,” Cooper said. “And at a point in time in my career, I plan on being a starting receiver.”
Cooper Looking to Grow as a Receiver
Myles Simmons
Rams Insider
Pharoh Cooper entered the league in 2016 as a fourth-round pick. Back then, he looked like he had a chance to significantly upgrade the Rams’ wide receiving corps, as the club’s top two wideouts combined for just 1,154 yards receiving and eight touchdowns the year before.
Cooper suffered a preseason shoulder injury, which undeniably set him back a bit to contribute in his rookie season.
But in his second year, Cooper. Became an All-Pro returner on both kick and punt returns — earring a trip to the Pro Bowl for his performance. He led the league with 27.4 yards per kick return, and finished second with 12.5 yards per punt return.
But even as Los Angeles boasts one of the better young receiving groups in the league — led by Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, and Brandin Cooks — Cooper is looking to make an impact as a receiver.
“Absolutely, I’ve never lost focus of that,” Cooper said during the offseason program. “This is my role right now, I’m a punt returner and kickoff returner, but I’ll never let the punt return or kick return take over the fact that I’m also a receiver.”
In 2017, Cooper made 11 receptions for 84 yards on 19 targets. He also took an end around for six yards, showing some versatility out of the receiver spot. In all, Cooper’s made 25 receptions for 190 yards in his first two seasons as a pro.
And so even as Cooper’s focus heading into 2018 is mainly to be the best returner he can be, he’s been investing in himself as an offensive player, too.
“I got drafted to play receiver, so I hope to play for a long career,” Cooper said. “And at a point in time in my career, I plan on being a starting receiver.”
