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Since Sean McVay became the head coach of the Rams, Los Angeles has had a pretty clear-cut setup atop the depth chart at wide receiver. The Rams use a ton of 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) on offense, more so than any other team since 2017, and they don’t often rotate their top three receivers unless it’s out of necessity due to injury.
In 2017, it was Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins. In 2018 and 2019, they had Kupp, Woods and Brandin Cooks. Josh Reynolds was thrust into the No. 3 spot in 2020 alongside Kupp and Woods, a role Van Jefferson took on in 2021 after Reynolds left. And finally, last year, it was supposed to be Kupp, Allen Robinson and Jefferson as the top three before Jefferson got hurt and Ben Skowronek stepped up.
This year, the Rams won’t have a wide receiver trio in the traditional sense, the first time in the McVay era. We know Kupp will be the top target, with Jefferson almost certainly starting with him as the No. 2 receiver. Right now, there’s no clear indication who the No. 3 wideout will be, which is why training camp is going to be so important at that position.
There’s so much competition alongside Kupp and Jefferson that even the Rams don’t know who will be the third starter. Skowronek, Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua are the top contenders to start next to Kupp and Jefferson, with Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson and Lance McCutcheon also in the mix.
What makes this battle so interesting is the variety of players Los Angeles has at wide receiver. Skowronek is never going to wow anyone with his athleticism or speed, but he’s physical enough to line up as a fullback or tight end. Atwell might be the fastest player on the team and is a legitimate vertical threat. Nacua is a rookie but he can turn short receptions into big gains with his elusiveness and he’s very comfortable taking handoffs as a runner the way Woods often did.
The Rams can (and will) be more situational with their wide receivers this year compared to past seasons when they trotted out the same three wideouts on the majority of their offensive snaps.
Need a good blocker in the slot? Call Skowronek’s name. Need to make a big play down the field? Atwell’s the guy. Third-and-short? Nacua could end up being their chain-mover on that crucial down.
The Rams probably won’t rotate their third receiver snaps evenly between several different players, but they’re likely to get all of them involved one way or another. That hasn’t been McVay’s approach in recent years but it might just be his best plan of attack on offense.
McVay has complimented Atwell several times already this offseason and he’s done the same with Nacua, a fast-learning rookie who’s impressed his coaches and teammates already. Skowronek has been injured but he’s expected to be back for training camp.
Wide receiver trios are fun and the Rams have had some of the best in the NFL under McVay, but their depth at the position will help bring some variety to the offense and keep everyone fresh throughout the season.
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