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https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...s-2025-season-best-players-playmakers-offense
Rams:
If you could guarantee 17 games from the Rams' big three at their 2024 levels of play, they might challenge to rank No. 1 here. Puka Nacua missed six games and still came within a screen of making it to 1,000 yards, as his 3.7 yards per route run comfortably led the NFL. Kyren Williams ranked sixth in rushing yards per game despite not having a single run top 30 yards, something that won't happen again in 2025. And after a difficult first three months of the year, Davante Adams -- who was added by L.A. in free agency -- brought in 576 receiving yards and six scores from December 1 onward, ranking among the league leaders in both categories.
Can the Rams expect all three of those guys to live up to those expectations? Nacua is a superstar, but the only starting wideouts to average more yards per route run in a season since 2007 are Tyreek Hill in 2023 and Steve Smith in 2008. Williams is a great gap-scheme back, but he has also fumbled eight times over the past two seasons, including five in 2024. And Adams had been declining since the start of 2023 before a late-season surgewith longtime friend Aaron Rodgers at quarterback against the Jaguars, who might have been listening to podcasts in the middle of plays.
These guys are all great players, so while I have my reservations about the Rams getting the most out of Adams, it would hardly be a surprise if they all garnered Pro Bowl consideration. As with other teams, it would be wonderful for the Rams if another young player broke through. Tutu Atwell is being paid $10 million to help clear out space underneath for other wideouts, but Jordan Whittington, a sixth-round pick last year, might be the more impactful receiver if he gets the opportunity to play. Tight end Tyler Higbee is 32 and didn't play much last season after a torn ACL in January 2024, so while second-round pick Terrance Ferguson is clearly Sean McVay's tight end of the future, it would be helpful if that future came sooner rather than later.
Rams:
5. Los Angeles Rams
2024 rank: 9 | 2023 rank: 23If you could guarantee 17 games from the Rams' big three at their 2024 levels of play, they might challenge to rank No. 1 here. Puka Nacua missed six games and still came within a screen of making it to 1,000 yards, as his 3.7 yards per route run comfortably led the NFL. Kyren Williams ranked sixth in rushing yards per game despite not having a single run top 30 yards, something that won't happen again in 2025. And after a difficult first three months of the year, Davante Adams -- who was added by L.A. in free agency -- brought in 576 receiving yards and six scores from December 1 onward, ranking among the league leaders in both categories.
Can the Rams expect all three of those guys to live up to those expectations? Nacua is a superstar, but the only starting wideouts to average more yards per route run in a season since 2007 are Tyreek Hill in 2023 and Steve Smith in 2008. Williams is a great gap-scheme back, but he has also fumbled eight times over the past two seasons, including five in 2024. And Adams had been declining since the start of 2023 before a late-season surgewith longtime friend Aaron Rodgers at quarterback against the Jaguars, who might have been listening to podcasts in the middle of plays.
These guys are all great players, so while I have my reservations about the Rams getting the most out of Adams, it would hardly be a surprise if they all garnered Pro Bowl consideration. As with other teams, it would be wonderful for the Rams if another young player broke through. Tutu Atwell is being paid $10 million to help clear out space underneath for other wideouts, but Jordan Whittington, a sixth-round pick last year, might be the more impactful receiver if he gets the opportunity to play. Tight end Tyler Higbee is 32 and didn't play much last season after a torn ACL in January 2024, so while second-round pick Terrance Ferguson is clearly Sean McVay's tight end of the future, it would be helpful if that future came sooner rather than later.
