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- May 9, 2018
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Cooper Kupp was a third-round pick, and went on to achieve a receiving “triple crown” and be named the Super Bowl MVP in the same season.
Puka Nacua was a 5th round pick, and went on to break the NFL rookie records for receptions and receiving yards.
Now, Jordan Whittington, a sixth round pick, is making a strong case for a significant role in the Rams’ WR rotation.
So, are the Rams just really good at drafting WRs?
To an extent, yes. However, you can’t overlook that they’ve had some misses at the position, including Van Jefferson and (at least relative to his draft position) Tutu Atwell.
So, perhaps, part of the reason for the success stories (and prospective success story developing now) is that certain WRs just fit the McVay system.
Kupp, Nacua and Whittington are all in the 6’1-2” range, and all three are over 200 lbs. They are good route runners, good after the catch, and willingly physical. They all work well in an offense that moves them around the formation, and none of the three are afraid to go over the middle (many of these traits, are, by the way, also present with Demarcus Robinson, who has also found success in the Rams’ offense).
So… are they “system players”? Maybe they are.
So what?
Why is that a bad thing? Heck, didn’t the Patriots excel with system WRs ranging from Troy Brown, to Deion Branch, to Wes Welker to Julian Edelman? Small, quick slot receivers worked for them. Bigger, physical, motion receivers work for us.
So let’s take the pejorative connotation out of the term “system WR.” Embrace it!
(And let’s hope we’ve found another one.)
Puka Nacua was a 5th round pick, and went on to break the NFL rookie records for receptions and receiving yards.
Now, Jordan Whittington, a sixth round pick, is making a strong case for a significant role in the Rams’ WR rotation.
So, are the Rams just really good at drafting WRs?
To an extent, yes. However, you can’t overlook that they’ve had some misses at the position, including Van Jefferson and (at least relative to his draft position) Tutu Atwell.
So, perhaps, part of the reason for the success stories (and prospective success story developing now) is that certain WRs just fit the McVay system.
Kupp, Nacua and Whittington are all in the 6’1-2” range, and all three are over 200 lbs. They are good route runners, good after the catch, and willingly physical. They all work well in an offense that moves them around the formation, and none of the three are afraid to go over the middle (many of these traits, are, by the way, also present with Demarcus Robinson, who has also found success in the Rams’ offense).
So… are they “system players”? Maybe they are.
So what?
Why is that a bad thing? Heck, didn’t the Patriots excel with system WRs ranging from Troy Brown, to Deion Branch, to Wes Welker to Julian Edelman? Small, quick slot receivers worked for them. Bigger, physical, motion receivers work for us.
So let’s take the pejorative connotation out of the term “system WR.” Embrace it!
(And let’s hope we’ve found another one.)