Receiver is sneakily a major offseason need for the Los Angeles Rams.
LA is likely to extend star receiver Puka Nacua this offseason. Davante Adams would be best-utilized in a more niche role. The rest of the team’s depth have not demonstrated they are capable of making important contributions on the NFL’s biggest stages.
So where do the Rams go from here? Finding a second receiver and someone capable of slotting in between Nacua and Adams will not be cheap. It will cost LA a pretty penny in free agency to sign a player and possibly a first or second round pick through the draft.
Let’s take a dive into some options:
Free agent options
Jauan Jennings, 49ers
The Rams can make a division rival weaker and improve at receiver. Jennings isn’t an overly explosive player but he usually seems to be in the right place at the right time and is dependable. He’s 28 and LA needs to get away from signing older receivers.
Alec Pierce, Colts
The pairing between the Rams and Pierce makes more sense the more you think about it, at least from a schematic point of view. Pierce is the deep threat capable of blocking that Sean McVay covets.
The sticking point will be the price tag. Pierce could easily command more than $20M annually.
Romeo Doubs, Packers
The Packers likely won’t or can’t keep Doubs because of their talent logjam at receiver. Doubs could have a surprisingly competitive market if/when he hits free agency. He’s not an exciting deep threat like Pierce, but he is the guy who normally makes that important third down grab.
If you need someone to move the chains, and the Rams do, Doubs could be your guy. His price tag could range between $12-18M annually.
NFL draft options
NFL consensus boards often show at least one receiver going in the top ten between Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, and USC’s Makai Lemon. Let’s say one of them make it to #13 for the Rams’ first pick. Would they pull the trigger? Let’s touch on each player and then look at late first round prospects.
Carnell Tate, Ohio State (6-3, 195)
Tate would largely fill a role in LA that has previously only been addressed with short-term acquisitions in the likes of Sammy Watkins, Odell Beckham, Jr., and Adams. He’s not the twitchiest or explosive player, but he has a frame that you can only find atop the draft order.
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State (6-2, 200)
Tyson catches almost everything thrown in his direction, is a fine route runner, and can produce after the catch point. Injury history is a question mark.
Makai Lemon, USC (5-11, 195)
Before getting excited about Lemon, ask yourself if dropping Jordan Addison into the Rams offense would address the second receiver role. If the answer is yes, Lemon might be the guy for you. They are very similar players and Lemon is more souped up and physical even.
Denzel Boston, Washington (6-4, 209)
We simply have not seen a receiver like Boston in Sean McVay’s offense. Is there a reason for that, or could the Rams signal a change of direction towards the back of the first round with their second selection?
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