With so many veteran WRs, can LA Rams develop WRs for the future?

[ROD-BOT]

With so many veteran WRs, can LA Rams develop WRs for the future?

With so many veteran wide receivers on the roster, and the potential to add one more, can the LA Rams develop WRs for the future?

ramblinfan.com

With so many veteran WRs, can LA Rams develop WRs for the future?​

In terms of the LA Rams passing game, the Rams depth chart appears to be set for at least the top three wide receivers on the roster. Cooper Kupp is the LA Rams’ primary receiving target. Newly signed veteran Allen Robinson will almost certainly slide in as the team’s secondary receiving target. Third-year receiver Van Jefferson, who is poised to break into the 1000 yards receiving club, is the third target on the Rams roster.

If the LA Rams are successful and re-sign veteran WR Odell Beckham Jr this year, he will likely compete with Jefferson for the third receiver on the depth chart, with the other player taking over at the fourth wide receiver set.

Now, where do all of the LA Rams’ young receivers fit in?

That’s a very good question.

Behind the Big 4, the LA Rams depth chart stands a host of talented youngsters, all of whom would love nothing better than to earn a spot on this roster. For now, I am not including TE/WR Jacob Harris, as the Rams WR room appears quite saturated with the current players. Who are they?

• Name Yrs Ht. Weight

1. Ben Skowronek 2 6-3 223 lbs
2. Brandon Powell* 5 5-8 181 lbs
3. Tutu Atwell 2 5-9 165 lbs
4. J.J. Koski 1 6-1 195 lbs
5. Warren Jackson 1 6-6 219 lbs
6. Landen Akers 1 6-0 191 lbs
7. Lance McCutcheon R 6-3 202 lbs

That is a lot of talent. Too many for what is realistically a battle for as few as two roster spots. So who gets what? For starters, you have to consider the impact that WR/PR/KR Brandon Powell has on special teams. Unless some other player can guarantee his electrifying returns on punts and kickoffs, I would say that his return is almost a certainty.

Brandon Powell: 95 percent chance to make the roster.

The LA Rams descended down their depth chart very quickly in 2021, getting to Ben Skowronek by Week 8 of the season. While he only caught 11 of the 20 passes thrown his way, he was entrusted to play 178 offensive snaps. That means that he was blocking and route running for the team at a fairly regular clip one year ago.

Ben Skowronek: 80 percent chance to make the roster

Fans are already complaining about the amount of press that second-year Tutu Atwell is getting, but when any player is selected with the first draft pick available for that team, the investment warrants a bit of monitoring. Reports so far are very positive, but this is still track season isn’t it? No pads, no contact. This could be a tough call for the LA Rams coaching staff if they do re-sign Odell Beckham Jr.

Tutu Atwell: 70 percent chance to make the roster

The LA Rams have kept J.J. Koski around on the practice squad, and for all intents and purposes, he could start off the season on the practice squad again. But if anything happens to a wide receiver, he could be the first to be activated for game day. If he has that opportunity to play and takes advantage of it, he could see a larger role in the offense.

J.J. Koski: 95 percent chance to make the practice squad.

Warren Jackson is so uniquely positioned to be either a solid find for the team or a player who parts ways without any fanfare. I love the size, as any receiver who stands at 6-foot-5 or taller simply has a vertical advantage, and the Rams have too few players who stand that tall. While he has the opportunity to shine on the Rams roster, he will need to showcase not only his own abilities but the benefit of having a tall receiver on the football field.

Warren Jackson: 40 percent chance to make the practice squad.

Landen Akers is that LA Rams roster duct tape, a player whose versatility to plug into catching passes, returning punts or kickoffs, or even covering punts or kickoffs continues to niche out a spot for him. He is a trooper, a player who hangs around on the practice squad but who may not find many doors opening for him to the active roster. That can all change with a solid preseason.

Landen Akers: 50 percent chance to make the practice squad.

Lance McCutcheon is another wide receiver who is incredibly intriguing, as he is so very versatile and has unique skillsets. He is a good-sized receiver who runs great routes. That will get him a chance with the Rams offense. But his draft profile suggests he hasn’t learned how to block, which is a strike against him in the Rams offense. If he can get more muscular, more physical, and learn how to block, he has a chance. If not, well he may not hang around on the Rams roster.

Lance McCutcheon: 20 percent chance to make the practice squad.

The LA Rams will have a formidable troop of wide receivers on the football field. But we learned quickly that a pattern of injuries can burn the team through the depth chart very quickly. While training camp may not improve the position of any player on the depth chart, but it could alter the order of their being called up to the active roster should an opening occur.

There are simply too many good players for the number of roster spots at wide receiver. That ensures great competition in training camp.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Tutu Atwell: 70 percent chance to make the roster

I think it’s higher than that.

Lance McCutcheon is another wide receiver who is incredibly intriguing, as he is so very versatile and has unique skillsets. He is a good-sized receiver who runs great routes. That will get him a chance with the Rams offense. But his draft profile suggests he hasn’t learned how to block, which is a strike against him in the Rams offense. If he can get more muscular, more physical, and learn how to block, he has a chance. If not, well he may not hang around on the Rams roster.

Lance McCutcheon: 20 percent chance to make the practice squad.

Super interested to see McCutcheon… Big and can run great routes? Sign me up!

 

[RamDino]

I think Benny Skow and Tutu (sigh) are 100% guaranteed to make the roster. And OBJ will start the season on IR.

 

[den-the-coach]

I think Benny Skow and Tutu (sigh) are 100% guaranteed to make the roster. And OBJ will start the season on IR.

I agree here, plus Skowronek offers so much on special teams and the ability to block at the point of attack. Now if he could work on being more consistent catching the football the Rams might have something. IMO, Atwell is going to showcase the ability to stretch the field and offer something with the jet sweeps too.

 

[BonifayRam]

If it turns out that this newly reformed younger OL taps into its strength in pass blocking there might be a ton of balls in the air for a bunch of receivers (TE/SL.WR/RB)!

It's my position that our new OC /RB /TE WR coaches will find out quickly just how high of a level this Ol can protect a QB like Stafford taking this passing offense to a much higher level of attack.

Kupp/ Robinson/ Higbee are all excellent starters when healthy...The 2nd tier & even 3rd tier receivers had to fill in in some critical games the results were a mixed bag.

First TE 28 yr old Kendall Blanton who has been lurking around since spring of 2019 looked to be improving until injured. KB filled in well for Higbee. KB has soft big hands & fights with mean intent for the ball with his big body, takes big hits, all good stuff!

Then the biggest surprise was the 2 yr trashed nowhere TE Brycen Hopkins... IMO rose up big to meet the challenge in a huge way ....after that big game BH can not return to emptying trash cans on the sideline any longer IMO has won the opportunity to be right in the thick of things as a receiver at TE. Snead has 8 TE's under contract now excluding Jacob Harris who is listed officially as a WR.

The past bad in this conversation was Snead recent two drafts' top WR selections. Call me totally disappointed! So I see vast opportunities for multiple 3rd tier receivers to gain on what many here say are the #3 & #4 WR's. Van Jefferson & TuTu Atwell (hype 2.0) do not block which is where our HC has been trending to working hard on implementing over the last few seasons. Woods & Kupp prove just how valuable they are to this offense for their blocking production over & over again.

Robert Woods must be fully replaced in this offense. Who can fill his shoes? You will not get anything close to being a Robert Woods from #3 Atwell or #4 Jefferson. This sets up the increased utilization of the multiple TE's involved in snaps with this offense of provides big opportunities early during TC for the bigger wr's Ben Skowronek & Jacob Harris to push to become McVay's #3 & 4 top reserves. I will be keeping up on the new kid 6-3/205 pound Lance McCutcheon.

 

[fearsomefour]

If it turns out that this newly reformed younger OL taps into its strength in pass blocking there might be a ton of balls in the air for a bunch of receivers (TE/SL.WR/RB)!

It's my position that our new OC /RB /TE WR coaches will find out quickly just how high of a level this Ol can protect a QB like Stafford taking this passing offense to a much higher level of attack.

Kupp/ Robinson/ Higbee are all excellent starters when healthy...The 2nd tier & even 3rd tier receivers had to fill in in some critical games the results were a mixed bag.

First TE 28 yr old Kendall Blanton who has been lurking around since spring of 2019 looked to be improving until injured. KB filled in well for Higbee. KB has soft big hands & fights with mean intent for the ball with his big body, takes big hits, all good stuff!

Then the biggest surprise was the 2 yr trashed nowhere TE Brycen Hopkins... IMO rose up big to meet the challenge in a huge way ....after that big game BH can not return to emptying trash cans on the sideline any longer IMO has won the opportunity to be right in the thick of things as a receiver at TE. Snead has 8 TE's under contract now excluding Jacob Harris who is listed officially as a WR.

The past bad in this conversation was Snead recent two drafts' top WR selections. Call me totally disappointed! So I see vast opportunities for multiple 3rd tier receivers to gain on what many here say are the #3 & #4 WR's. Van Jefferson & TuTu Atwell (hype 2.0) do not block which is where our HC has been trending to working hard on implementing over the last few seasons. Woods & Kupp prove just how valuable they are to this offense for their blocking production over & over again.

Robert Woods must be fully replaced in this offense. Who can fill his shoes? You will not get anything close to being a Robert Woods from #3 Atwell or #4 Jefferson. This sets up the increased utilization of the multiple TE's involved in snaps with this offense of provides big opportunities early during TC for the bigger wr's Ben Skowronek & Jacob Harris to push to become McVay's #3 & 4 top reserves. I will be keeping up on the new kid 6-3/205 pound Lance McCutcheon.

I think it idiotic to list Harris as a WR.

 

[fearsomefour]

Tutu will make the team I have no doubt.
I think Skowronek is an ideal McVay depth WR. He is a good special teams player, has good size and will engage and try hard as. a blocker. He was forced into duty sooner that wanted year.
Unless someone else steps up that has a role as a receiver already (Tutu) Powell has his spot.
Koski will make the practice squad as the top PS WR because......hes from Cal Poly.....that should be enough.

 

[BonifayRam]

I think it idiotic to list Harris as a WR.

Jacob Harris is lighter & considerably thinner in build & frame than our newly highly treasured off-season UFA addition WR Allen Robinson.

Jacob Harris

40 Yard Dash:

4.43 seconds

40 Yard (MPH):

18.47 (MPH)

Arm Length:

33.75 inches

Vertical Leap:

40.5 inches

20 Yd Shuttle:

4.31 seconds

Three Cone:

6.51 seconds

10 Yard Split:

1.60 seconds

Allen Robinson

40 Yard Dash:

4.60 seconds

40 Yard (MPH):

17.78 (MPH)

Arm Length:

32 inches

Vertical Leap:

39.0 inches

20 Yd Shuttle:

4.00 seconds

Three Cone:

7.00 seconds

10 Yard Split:

1.60 seconds

 

[fearsomefour]

Jacob Harris is lighter & considerably thinner in build & frame than our newly highly prised off-season all-pro WR Allen Robinson.

I say what I said because it makes more sense to keep him on the roster as a TE. He can be a duel role guy. The Rams aren't going to keep 8 or 9 WRs.....at least I hope not.
WR: Kupp, Robinson, Beckham, Jefferson, Atwell, Powell, Skow.....assuming, Odell comes back.
TE: Higbee, Blanton, Hopkins, Harris

Thats how I would do it.

Harris could easily add 30 lbs or more. He could fill that multi roll spot, lining up out wide, hand down on the line, in the back field as that sort of H-back spot.
Create mismatches esp lining up hand down.
If he needs to bulk up some.....who cares? He certainly has the frame to do it.

 

[RamDino]

I think it idiotic to list Harris as a WR.

My concern is that Jacob Harris is a tweener. Too thin to play TE, and he might not be a good route runner/WR. I am hopeful either way, however. It just sucks that he had to tear an ACL while playing special teams last year.

 

[1maGoh]

I think it idiotic to list Harris as a WR.

Because of his prototypical TE size at 219 lbs and his college position of WR for UCF?

 

[Merlin]

My concern is that Jacob Harris is a tweener.

I think you are correct. There's a reason he was available where they drafted him.

But in his favor a guy like McVay is a great person to play for. Maybe they figure out his best usage and if so he'll be fun to watch come off the bench and contribute.

 

[RamDino]

Wouldn't it be great to see Harris come in at 230 this year? You know the Rams are trying to put some weight on him.

 

[norcalramfan]

Can the Rams develop wide receivers? Got to be the dumbest question I’ve heard in a long time.

 

[PhillyRam]

If it turns out that this newly reformed younger OL taps into its strength in pass blocking there might be a ton of balls in the air for a bunch of receivers (TE/SL.WR/RB)!

It's my position that our new OC /RB /TE WR coaches will find out quickly just how high of a level this Ol can protect a QB like Stafford taking this passing offense to a much higher level of attack.

Kupp/ Robinson/ Higbee are all excellent starters when healthy...The 2nd tier & even 3rd tier receivers had to fill in in some critical games the results were a mixed bag.

First TE 28 yr old Kendall Blanton who has been lurking around since spring of 2019 looked to be improving until injured. KB filled in well for Higbee. KB has soft big hands & fights with mean intent for the ball with his big body, takes big hits, all good stuff!

Then the biggest surprise was the 2 yr trashed nowhere TE Brycen Hopkins... IMO rose up big to meet the challenge in a huge way ....after that big game BH can not return to emptying trash cans on the sideline any longer IMO has won the opportunity to be right in the thick of things as a receiver at TE. Snead has 8 TE's under contract now excluding Jacob Harris who is listed officially as a WR.

The past bad in this conversation was Snead recent two drafts' top WR selections. Call me totally disappointed! So I see vast opportunities for multiple 3rd tier receivers to gain on what many here say are the #3 & #4 WR's. Van Jefferson & TuTu Atwell (hype 2.0) do not block which is where our HC has been trending to working hard on implementing over the last few seasons. Woods & Kupp prove just how valuable they are to this offense for their blocking production over & over again.

Robert Woods must be fully replaced in this offense. Who can fill his shoes? You will not get anything close to being a Robert Woods from #3 Atwell or #4 Jefferson. This sets up the increased utilization of the multiple TE's involved in snaps with this offense of provides big opportunities early during TC for the bigger wr's Ben Skowronek & Jacob Harris to push to become McVay's #3 & 4 top reserves. I will be keeping up on the new kid 6-3/205 pound Lance McCutcheon.

Isn't Robinson replacing Woods?

 

[fearsomefour]

Because of his prototypical TE size at 219 lbs and his college position of WR for UCF?

For the reasons I stated.

 

[fearsomefour]

Jacob Harris is lighter & considerably thinner in build & frame than our newly highly treasured off-season UFA addition WR Allen Robinson.

Jacob Harris

40 Yard Dash:

4.43 seconds

40 Yard (MPH):

18.47 (MPH)

Arm Length:

33.75 inches

Vertical Leap:

40.5 inches

20 Yd Shuttle:

4.31 seconds

Three Cone:

6.51 seconds

10 Yard Split:

1.60 seconds

Allen Robinson

40 Yard Dash:

4.60 seconds

40 Yard (MPH):

17.78 (MPH)

Arm Length:

32 inches

Vertical Leap:

39.0 inches

20 Yd Shuttle:

4.00 seconds

Three Cone:

7.00 seconds

10 Yard Split:

1.60 seconds

Yes......and?
There is no reason Harris can't put on weight.
He should be entering this camp at 240 lbs I would think.
The ACL injury hurts in this aspect as well of course as he loses training time under the bar.
The idea with playing/listing Harris as a TE is not to create a road grading TE.

Harris isn't going to crack the top 3 of the Rams receiving corp (or top 4 if Odell is resigned). The Rams already have a young experimental player at WR they can get creative with in Tutu.
By moving Harris around....hand down at TE, out wide, in the backfield as an H-back sort of guy....the Rams can get creative with his size and athleticism. With teams being forced to focus on Kupp, Robinson, Higbee, Jefferson and the rest, he could be used to create some massive mismatches. At the very least it will give teams another piece to have to account for. He doesn't have to be great in his blocking assignments (assuming there won't be a ton of those), he just needs to be good enough.
Harris is a tweener. There is no getting around that.
But, there is also zero reason he can't put on considerable weight.
To me it is pretty clear.
Either get creative with him and have a guy with great athleticism who can expand the offense and create possible mismatches, or, have him sit on the bench as the 5th or 6th WR all year and that's it.
The Rams didn't need to draft Tutu and they didn't need to draft Harris.
Im hoping they plan on getting creative with them instead of holding them as depth guys for 3 or 4 years until their rookie deals are up.

 

[Steve808]

With so many veteran WRs, can LA Rams develop WRs for the future?

With so many veteran wide receivers on the roster, and the potential to add one more, can the LA Rams develop WRs for the future?

ramblinfan.com

With so many veteran WRs, can LA Rams develop WRs for the future?​

In terms of the LA Rams passing game, the Rams depth chart appears to be set for at least the top three wide receivers on the roster. Cooper Kupp is the LA Rams’ primary receiving target. Newly signed veteran Allen Robinson will almost certainly slide in as the team’s secondary receiving target. Third-year receiver Van Jefferson, who is poised to break into the 1000 yards receiving club, is the third target on the Rams roster.

If the LA Rams are successful and re-sign veteran WR Odell Beckham Jr this year, he will likely compete with Jefferson for the third receiver on the depth chart, with the other player taking over at the fourth wide receiver set.

Now, where do all of the LA Rams’ young receivers fit in?

That’s a very good question.

Behind the Big 4, the LA Rams depth chart stands a host of talented youngsters, all of whom would love nothing better than to earn a spot on this roster. For now, I am not including TE/WR Jacob Harris, as the Rams WR room appears quite saturated with the current players. Who are they?

• Name Yrs Ht. Weight

1. Ben Skowronek 2 6-3 223 lbs
2. Brandon Powell* 5 5-8 181 lbs
3. Tutu Atwell 2 5-9 165 lbs
4. J.J. Koski 1 6-1 195 lbs
5. Warren Jackson 1 6-6 219 lbs
6. Landen Akers 1 6-0 191 lbs
7. Lance McCutcheon R 6-3 202 lbs

That is a lot of talent. Too many for what is realistically a battle for as few as two roster spots. So who gets what? For starters, you have to consider the impact that WR/PR/KR Brandon Powell has on special teams. Unless some other player can guarantee his electrifying returns on punts and kickoffs, I would say that his return is almost a certainty.

Brandon Powell: 95 percent chance to make the roster.

The LA Rams descended down their depth chart very quickly in 2021, getting to Ben Skowronek by Week 8 of the season. While he only caught 11 of the 20 passes thrown his way, he was entrusted to play 178 offensive snaps. That means that he was blocking and route running for the team at a fairly regular clip one year ago.

Ben Skowronek: 80 percent chance to make the roster

Fans are already complaining about the amount of press that second-year Tutu Atwell is getting, but when any player is selected with the first draft pick available for that team, the investment warrants a bit of monitoring. Reports so far are very positive, but this is still track season isn’t it? No pads, no contact. This could be a tough call for the LA Rams coaching staff if they do re-sign Odell Beckham Jr.

Tutu Atwell: 70 percent chance to make the roster

The LA Rams have kept J.J. Koski around on the practice squad, and for all intents and purposes, he could start off the season on the practice squad again. But if anything happens to a wide receiver, he could be the first to be activated for game day. If he has that opportunity to play and takes advantage of it, he could see a larger role in the offense.

J.J. Koski: 95 percent chance to make the practice squad.

Warren Jackson is so uniquely positioned to be either a solid find for the team or a player who parts ways without any fanfare. I love the size, as any receiver who stands at 6-foot-5 or taller simply has a vertical advantage, and the Rams have too few players who stand that tall. While he has the opportunity to shine on the Rams roster, he will need to showcase not only his own abilities but the benefit of having a tall receiver on the football field.

Warren Jackson: 40 percent chance to make the practice squad.

Landen Akers is that LA Rams roster duct tape, a player whose versatility to plug into catching passes, returning punts or kickoffs, or even covering punts or kickoffs continues to niche out a spot for him. He is a trooper, a player who hangs around on the practice squad but who may not find many doors opening for him to the active roster. That can all change with a solid preseason.

Landen Akers: 50 percent chance to make the practice squad.

Lance McCutcheon is another wide receiver who is incredibly intriguing, as he is so very versatile and has unique skillsets. He is a good-sized receiver who runs great routes. That will get him a chance with the Rams offense. But his draft profile suggests he hasn’t learned how to block, which is a strike against him in the Rams offense. If he can get more muscular, more physical, and learn how to block, he has a chance. If not, well he may not hang around on the Rams roster.

Lance McCutcheon: 20 percent chance to make the practice squad.

The LA Rams will have a formidable troop of wide receivers on the football field. But we learned quickly that a pattern of injuries can burn the team through the depth chart very quickly. While training camp may not improve the position of any player on the depth chart, but it could alter the order of their being called up to the active roster should an opening occur.

There are simply too many good players for the number of roster spots at wide receiver. That ensures great competition in training camp.

Skowronek isn't a bad player, but to me, it sure seemed like a lot of untimely Stafford's INTs came off of his hands, including one in the super bowl, even if it might not be his fault.

 

[So Ram]

Skowronek isn't a bad player, but to me, it sure seemed like a lot of untimely Stafford's INTs came off of his hands, including one in the super bowl, even if it might not be his fault.

It might have seemed like it,but not true. Ask DJ1 about that? Don’t know when your example starts.

IMO Stafford only gets better & he’ll take & have more ownership in it.

 

[CGI_Ram]

By moving Harris around....hand down at TE, out wide, in the backfield as an H-back sort of guy....the Rams can get creative with his size and athleticism. With teams being forced to focus on Kupp, Robinson, Higbee, Jefferson and the rest, he could be used to create some massive mismatches. At the very least it will give teams another piece to have to account for. He doesn't have to be great in his blocking assignments (assuming there won't be a ton of those), he just needs to be good enough.
Harris is a tweener. There is no getting around that.

I think this is it with Harris. He’s an athletic mismatch to be used situationally in the passing game, out of the TE position.

Last year he lacked football size and toughness… too easily tossed around for a big guy. I am not sure if the knee injury hurt any development, but adding a few pounds this past offseason HAD to be a key goal for him.