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We know that Puka Nacua and Davante Adams will be the Los Angeles Rams’ top two wide receivers this season, but the third spot on the depth chart is completely up for grabs. With Tutu Atwell (and his $10 million salary) out of the picture, it’s a wide-open competition at WR3, where four players will be battling for the job behind Nacua and Adams.
Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith and CJ Daniels are the top candidates, and Torry Holt has his eye on one player, in particular. On “Up and Adams” Wednesday, Holt explained why he expects big things from Whittington this season.
“When you think about Puka Nacua, you look at Davante Adams, they love Jordan Whittington, who I think will have an opportunity to really show up this year. They kept him on the roster this long, and he’s been in, he’s been out, but when he’s there and he’s healthy, Jordan Whittington is a very, very good football player, particularly when he gets the ball in his hands. And the other thing, he doesn’t mind going in there and blocking and mixing it up. We all know Sean McVay’s wide receivers have to do that, Jordan Whittington certainly does that. I think Sean McVay and Coach Nate will give him ample opportunities to show what he is worth and what he can do, particularly when he gets the ball in his hands.”
Whittington has only gotten limited opportunities in his first two seasons with the Rams, working mostly as a blocker. He saw just 25 passes thrown his way last year, catching 18 of them for 171 yards. Those numbers were down from his rookie year when he had more targets (28), catches (22) and yards (293) in two fewer games.
The door is open for him to become the Rams’ No. 3 receiver this season but he has to prove he’s more than just a blocker and gadget player who takes handoffs and catches screens. His average depth of target last season was only 6.6 yards, by far the lowest of any wide receiver on the team; the next-closest was Puka Nacua at 9.9 yards.
There’s a role for Whittington within the Rams offense, but can he be an every-down receiver in 11 personnel? Certainly on run plays, but will he be enough of a receiving threat to keep defenses honest?
Holt is right in saying Whittington is good with the ball in his hands, almost turning into a running back the way Nacua often does. He’s strong and compact, which allows him to bounce off defenders and pick up yardage after the catch. But it’s before the catch where Whittington needs to improve.
If he can take the next step as a third-year receiver, it’ll elevate the entire Rams offense.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams legend Torry Holt expects big things from Jordan Whittington
Continue reading...
Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith and CJ Daniels are the top candidates, and Torry Holt has his eye on one player, in particular. On “Up and Adams” Wednesday, Holt explained why he expects big things from Whittington this season.
“When you think about Puka Nacua, you look at Davante Adams, they love Jordan Whittington, who I think will have an opportunity to really show up this year. They kept him on the roster this long, and he’s been in, he’s been out, but when he’s there and he’s healthy, Jordan Whittington is a very, very good football player, particularly when he gets the ball in his hands. And the other thing, he doesn’t mind going in there and blocking and mixing it up. We all know Sean McVay’s wide receivers have to do that, Jordan Whittington certainly does that. I think Sean McVay and Coach Nate will give him ample opportunities to show what he is worth and what he can do, particularly when he gets the ball in his hands.”
Whittington has only gotten limited opportunities in his first two seasons with the Rams, working mostly as a blocker. He saw just 25 passes thrown his way last year, catching 18 of them for 171 yards. Those numbers were down from his rookie year when he had more targets (28), catches (22) and yards (293) in two fewer games.
The door is open for him to become the Rams’ No. 3 receiver this season but he has to prove he’s more than just a blocker and gadget player who takes handoffs and catches screens. His average depth of target last season was only 6.6 yards, by far the lowest of any wide receiver on the team; the next-closest was Puka Nacua at 9.9 yards.
There’s a role for Whittington within the Rams offense, but can he be an every-down receiver in 11 personnel? Certainly on run plays, but will he be enough of a receiving threat to keep defenses honest?
Holt is right in saying Whittington is good with the ball in his hands, almost turning into a running back the way Nacua often does. He’s strong and compact, which allows him to bounce off defenders and pick up yardage after the catch. But it’s before the catch where Whittington needs to improve.
If he can take the next step as a third-year receiver, it’ll elevate the entire Rams offense.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams legend Torry Holt expects big things from Jordan Whittington
Continue reading...
