Early 2020 position outlook: Wide receiver

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Early 2020 position outlook: Wide receiver

Our early 2020 position outlook series continues with the examination of a reconfigured wide receiver room.

www.therams.com

Early 2020 position outlook: Wide receiver

After examining the Rams' offense, defense and special teams following the 2020 NFL Draft, theRams.com will take a deeper look at each position group as we get closer to the upcoming season. The wide receivers are up next.

Who's back

Greg Dortch: Signed to the Rams' practice squad on Dec. 12, then was one of nine players to ink a reserve/future deal with the club in early January.

Cooper Kupp: Bounced back from his 2018 season-ending knee injury with 94 receptions for 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns, all team-highs, while playing in all 16 games.

Josh Reynolds: The fourth-year pro is expected to be more involved in the offense in 2020 and viewed as a capable replacement for Brandin Cooks. He caught 21 passes for 326 yards and one touchdown in 16 games last year, making two starts.

Nsimba Webster: One of three undrafted free agents to make the Rams' initial 53-man roster for 2019. He was inactive for seven games but appeared in five, handling punt return duties after JoJo Natson was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Robert Woods: Posted 90 catches for 1,134 yards and two touchdowns last season, his second consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season. His catch and yardage totals were second on the team behind Kupp.

Who's gone

Brandin Cooks: Traded in April along with a 2022 4th-round pick to the Texans for the No. 57 overall pick in this year's draft.

JoJo Natson: He was primarily a special teams contributor as the Rams' main return man on kickoffs and punts. The Rams chose not to re-sign him and let him enter the new league year as an unrestricted free agent, and he eventually signed a one-year deal with the Browns.

Mike Thomas: The Rams chose not to re-sign him and let him enter the new league year as an unrestricted free agent. He eventually signed a one-year deal with the Bengals.

Who's new

Earnest Edwards IV: The undrafted free agent signee out of Maine led the FCS in kickoff return yards (28.5 per return) and ranked third in all-purpose yards (169.9 per game) last fall.

Trishton Jackson: Undrafted free agent signee out of Syracuse who led the Orange with 66 catches and ranked sixth in the ACC with 1,023 receiving yards in 2019, also earning second team All-Conference recognition.

Van Jefferson: Selected with the pick acquired in the Cooks trade, Jefferson led Florida in receiving in both of his seasons in Gainesville as a graduate transfer, posting 35 receptions for 503 yards and six touchdowns in 2018 then 49 receptions for 657 yards and six touchdowns in 2019.

J.J. Koski: Undrafted free agent signee who tallied 121 receptions for 2,311 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns across 44 games at Cal-Poly and led his team in receiving for three straight years (2017-19).

Brandon Polk: Undrafted free agent signee out of James Madison who led the team with 74 receptions for 1,179 yards and 11 touchdowns in his lone season at the school. The second team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection's 11 receiving touchdowns ranked fourth in the conference and 16th nationally.

Easop Winston Jr.: An undrafted free agent signee out of Washington State, Winston was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention choice in 2019 who wrapped up his Washington State career with 137 receptions for 1,624 yards and 19 touchdowns in two seasons.

Key question(s)

What can be expected of Reynolds this season? It's been repeated several times, but head coach Sean McVay and Rams teammates have long viewed Reynolds like a fourth starter in the wide receiver rotation. A hint could perhaps be found in game film from Week 11 against the Bears – McVay pointed to the play when Reynolds beat two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Kyler Fuller downfield for a 51-yard touchdown catch.

What will Jefferson contribute? At the conclusion of Day 2 of the draft, general manager Les Snead said Jefferson adds value with his polished route-running and ability to play all three receiver positions. Experience will likely dictate Kupp, Woods, and Reynolds getting the lion's share of the snaps, but at a minimum he'll add depth.

 

[IBruce80]

I think Kupp and Reynolds have big seasons and I hope we can keep both of them.
I know some have had doubts about Reynolds, but I am fan and i think he will prove his worth this year.

 

[Faceplant]

It wouldn't surprise me to see Jefferson have more catches than JREY this year. I like Reynolds a lot, but Jefferson looks like a perfect for for this scheme.

 

[Petrowsky]

I think Kupp and Reynolds have big seasons and I hope we can keep both of them.
I know some have had doubts about Reynolds, but I am fan and i think he will prove his worth this year.

I really like Reynolds as well. He’s been the 4th WR on the team every year he has been here, and I fully expect that to be the case this year as well. When he was needed to be a starter after Kupp’s injury, I thought he did a pretty good job.

He leaves some things to be desired, but most teams would love to have Reynolds as their #4 WR. After 10 years of having a black hole at WR, the last 3 years have been extremely pleasant to watch. I hope the Rams find a way to keep Reynolds after this season is over. I feel confident in this group of receivers, especially knowing he’s there to step up if needed.

 

[kurtfaulk]

I think Kupp and Reynolds have big seasons and I hope we can keep both of them.
I know some have had doubts about Reynolds, but I am fan and i think he will prove his worth this year.

I don't think Reynolds can hold off Jefferson.

.

 

[den-the-coach]

Some real quality UDFA the Rams have signed like Earnest Edwards IV out of Maine that might win the job as the kick off & punt returner. I know they like Greg Dortch, but Edwards is bigger and might offer more upside as a receiver long term. Also many who watched Easop Winston Jr., love him, so I hope some of these kids actually get a chance on the field.

 

[Merlin]

Yeah Edwards has a chance if he can bring us a boost on returns. We could really use a plus return game.

JRey's playing time is related primarily to Van's grasp of the offense. Once Van has the scheme down it's curtains for him. JRey is not capable of quick separation, he's still not a plus route runner, and Van is the future so as soon as he's ready he's gonna be WR3.

Oh and btw people are forgetting about Webb. He's got a full year and this second camp should allow him to show what he can do. He's a bit limited athletically but seems like a smart wideout who can stick on this roster and might push for playing time with Cooks gone if he shows some development.

 

[dieterbrock]

I think the Rams talk up Reynolds in hopes he draws trade attention.
He’s on his last legs as a Ram

 

[Neil039]

The only 1 ball to share will effect this group. Woods. Kupp, Higbee will get the bulk of the throws. Second tier is likely Jefferson and Reynolds getting the odd man out work.
If Jefferson is as polished a route runner as they say, he may join the top three. Personally, excited about the present and future development of the WRs for the Rams.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Yeah, my chips are with Jefferson.

If not week 1... early.

 

[Memento]

I can see us keeping seven receivers on the 53 man roster. Kupp, Woods, Reynolds, and Jefferson are obvious. I love what Nsimba Webster brings; he combines good speed, route running, and he's a dependable gunner on special teams. I also can see us keeping Earnest Edwards IV and Easop Winston Jr.; I really love how those kids played in college.

Winston is more of a big slot receiver, has solid hands, and is, in my honest opinion, underrated when it comes to route running. He's not explosive, but he creates separation every time.

EE4, on the other hand, is very, very explosive. He's a dominant kick returner, should be great on punts, and is a legit 4.3 flat runner in pads. He needs work on routes before I trust him on the offense, but on special teams - with the condition that he makes the roster, of course - he could be a Pro Bowl kick returner this year. That's how good he was in college. That's how good he could be in the NFL.

Honestly, I can even see them keep one or two receivers on the practice squad. Dortch is good on special teams and he's solid in the slot. Jackson and Polk are burners (Polk has more STs value, while Jackson is more polished.)

It's going to be a very interesting camp for these young receivers, and I'll be paying close attention to the back half.