Ben Skowronek poised to continue playing multiple roles in Rams’ offense

Skowronek was the #Rams’ leading receiver in Week 3, and is quickly gaining traction in Los Angeles’ offense.

The Los Angeles Rams are back atop the NFC West standings after a Week 1 loss saw fans question whether they still had the same magic that delivered them a Super Bowl victory last season. Despite a laundry list of injuries and the need to rely on contributions from lesser-known talents on both sides of the ball, the Rams are thriving, and look every bit as competitive as they did in 2021.

Head coach Sean McVay featured one unsung hero in particular in his game plan for the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Second-year wideout Ben Skowronek led the way for Los Angeles as the team’s leading receiver, snagging four receptions on four targets for 66 yards in the win.

On Monday, McVay commented on Skowronek’s standout performance against the Cardinals and said that he will continue playing a mixed role in the coming weeks as the coaching staff evaluates their available talent.

The promising receiver has been used in a variety of ways so far this season, including as a lead blocker from the fullback position. Asked if he will continue to be utilized in this unconventional manner, McVay explained that the decision will come down to what the team sees in film study.

“I think it’s kind of something that is always one of the things that we try to work through as coaches every single week,” McVay said. “What’s the best way to take advantage of our players and different things that we can present based on their skill sets? Last year, it was what we felt like what we needed at that time. I’m sure that this won’t be the only thing that ends up being a little different way of trying to accentuate our player skill sets, whether that be personnel groupings or using certain players to create the illusion of that personnel grouping even though you might be in what is typically an 11-personnel type of look.

“So like I said, it kind of goes back to collaboration, but it takes the players to be able to fit and you certainly can’t do that unless you have somebody like a Ben Skowronek that has the toughness, the physicality, the overall football IQ and intelligence to be able to play a bunch of different spots because he’s playing receiver, he’s playing fullback in a lot of those two-back looks. There’s certain plays that we ask him to do, certain some of the roles that are similar to a tight end. It takes the player number one, and then creative coaches that have an open mind of different ways to be able to utilize guys. That’s a real credit to our offensive coaching staff.”

Every week will require a different approach to achieve victory over the Rams’ talented opponents, but if the team can rely on sleeper talent like Skowronek to deliver them game-changing plays on a regular basis, their outlook will remain positive. With a primetime matchup against the San Francisco 49ers looming on Monday night, McVay and his staff would be wise to identify a few more players who might present their rivals with issues on defense, and exploit every mismatch they can find to extend their lead in the division.

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Poll: Who will lead the Jaguars in receiving in 2021?

With a new franchise quarterback on board, which of Jacksonville’s receivers will be the most productive in 2021?

The quarterback side of the equation has been figured out in Jacksonville. Though we’re yet to see first-overall pick Trevor Lawrence compete in a game, he may already be the most talented passer the franchise has ever had. The question now is, where will he be throwing the ball?

The passing game was one of the areas that suffered the most with a revolving door at quarterback in 2020 between Gardner Minshew II, Jake Luton, and Mike Glennon. Three of Jacksonville’s top-five receivers from a year ago, Keelan Cole, Chris Conley, and Tyler Eifert, are no longer with the team.

Last year’s leader in receiving yards, D.J. Chark, is back after totaling 706 yards and five scores a year ago. But that was a bit disappointing after breaking 1,000 yards during his second season in 2019, and he’s one of the players on the team looking for a major bounce-back this season.

He’s a natural candidate to be the team’s No. 1 receiver, but he won’t claim that spot without a challenge. Second-year receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., who finished third with 600 receiving yards last year and matched Chark’s five touchdowns, has been impressive in organized team activities so far. Some have said he looks like a No. 1 receiver in his own right, and he’ll certainly try to prove that on the field.

These are the two obvious candidates to lead the team in receiving yards, but what of the dark horse candidates? Marvin Jones Jr., a free-agent signing from Detroit, finished with more yards last year (978) than any Jacksonville receiver. He’s 31-years-old, but the production is still there.

Jones will be an important veteran leader for this team, but he simply may not see enough targets throughout the season to compete with Chark and Shenault.

There are also less likely options, like second-year receiver Collin Johnson, who had 272 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie last year, and Jalen Camp, a receiver from Georgia Tech who was taken in the sixth round. But neither will likely see more than rotational action.

Chark and Shenault are the clear candidates to be the most productive receiver on the team next year, and the young duo will certainly play a major role in the years to come. But you also can’t sleep on Jones, who remained productive despite a moribund situation in Detroit.

Which of these three do you think will be the team’s leading receiver? Let us know in the poll below.

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Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf knows he’s among best in NFL

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf scored the winning touchdown for the team Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings Week 5.

There is no denying Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf had himself quite the game Sunday night, scoring the winning touchdown to help the team advance to a perfect 5-0 season start for the first time in franchise history.

On the night, Metcalf was the Seahawks leading receiver, logging six receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns. But does he feel like he stacks up with some of the best of the best around the league?

“It’s a blessing to be in a category like that or for that question to even pop up,” Metcalf said after the win. “In my mind, I feel like I’m getting to that point. There are still people in this league that I look up to like Deandre Hopkins, Julio Jones, Mike Thomas, Odell Beckham Jr. They’re still great players in this league. Just to be up there with them, I know my work ethic and how I am as a player.

“I believe I’m in that realm, but I’ve still got a lot of work to do.”

Metcalf’s play is certainly not fool-proof, as anyone who’s witnessed his drops can attest, but the sophomore is well on his way to being one of the most impressive receivers in the NFL this year, and hopefully, for years to come.

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Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett returns to top form against Panthers

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett has been battling to get back to full health over the last month seeing limited production on gamedays.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett has been battling to get back to full health over the last month seeing limited production on gamedays.

First sidelined with a lower leg injury following the Seahawks Week-10 win in San Francisco, Lockett then succumbed to the flu, logging only five receptions over his last three outings.

Finally healthy for the Week 15 start in Carolina, Lockett once again proved just what he is capable of when feeling 100%.

Lockett started strong on Sunday when he connected with quarterback Russell Wilson for 44 yards in the middle of the first quarter, hauling in an inconceivable catch.

Finishing the day as the Seahawks leading receiver, Lockett managed eight catches on nine targets for 120 yards and a touchdown.

Here’s a look at Lockett’s score in the second quarter on a 19-yard TD pass from Wilson.

After his impressive performance against the Panthers, it’s safe to say the Seahawks No. 1 is 100% back in action and ready to roll, just as his quarterback predicted ahead of the matchup.

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