Personally, I think Kupp will re-bound hugely with an off-season to get healthy. But his ability to stay healthy is a concern. And with some soon to be free agents, I do think we need to draft at least 1 WR.
I am not so sure Puka cannot shoulder the load alone. He did much of this year while Kupp was out.
Nacua has had injury concerns himself (he's been out for plays during games where he clearly was injured), and he plays a style of play that is conducive to injuries. And Kupp will be thirty-one in June, has been injured the past two years, and wasn't himself when he played (fifty-nine receptions, 737 yards, and five touchdowns, all of which were less than the year before when he played less games than this year).
Do I think he could have a huge bounce-back year like Stafford did? Absolutely, but you have to prepare for the possibility that he's not going to be the same Kupp we're used to. We thought he'd bounce back this year, and he went on IR with a hamstring injury, and clearly wasn't himself. We can't count on him entirely, given that he's another year older.
And no, I don't trust Atwell or Skowronek to carry the weight if Nacua is compromised as well.
We need young blood, and I would not be surprised if it was an early round pick (Xavier Worthy or Adonai Mitchell with a late first or Brenden Rice with a second; I'm hoping the fucking 69ers don't pop him in the first because I'm convinced he's going to be a great receiver.)
Speaking of receiving positions, it may sound cold, but I wouldn't be surprised if we cut Higbee and drafted a tight end with a high pick (maybe Bowers if he falls or Ja'Tavion Sanders) or traded for a young tight end with a mid-round pick (Kyle Pitts for a third has been floated by the esteemed Councilor (EDIT: Am I spelling it right? If not, I'm sorry, Jerry; my brain's admittedly a little fuzzy today.),
@jrry32 earlier in the year, and I'm sure there are others). He costs a lot against the cap, and he's coming off of an ACL tear at thirty-one.
