Three years ago, the Rams selected Puka Nacua out of BYU in the fifth round, and today, he is a top-five receiver. Since then, the Rams have not had success drafting receivers late in the draft.
The Rams have one of the best receiver cores in the NFL. That receiving core is built on Nacua and Davante Adams, who was a top-10 receiver throughout his careerin his own right, and is now a top red zone threat. Rams head coach Sean McVay chose to shift away from 11 personnel with three wide receivers and instead go to 13 personnel with three tight ends and one receiver. While the Rams have several good tight ends, Adams will be 34 next season, and Stafford will retire within the next few years. It’s essential that they draft a good wide receiver who will become pivotal in McVay’s offense.
The choice to move from 11 to 13 personnel was based on the roster construction. The Rams have no number three receiver. Signed on a one-year, $10 million deal, Tutu Atwell missed several games due to injury, making the need for another receiver apparent.
Matthew Stafford’s MVP season hid the fact that they will need another wide receiver going forward. His timely, on-target passes helped the Rams reach the NFC Championship, but the Rams were too dependent on Nacua. He accounted for 30% target share, which was sixth in the NFL. Nacua’s production this year was one of the best, especially considering the receiving core, but he needs more help to take the pressure off of him.
The best time to find a steal in the draft is in the third round. The Rams don’t need to draft a volume or needy receiver, but rather someone who will be acceptable as the third option.
A Late-Round Wide Receiver In the Draft Could Help the Rams Next Season
The best option for a receiver in the third round is Antonio Williams. The four-year Clemson Tiger is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound receiver and a great route runner. He is a solid selection and a great option for the third round. Williams is a legit Swiss Army Knife. He is great in the short, mid, and long-range game. He is also fast, running a projected 4.45 40-yard dash. If he is used as a simple number three pass catcher, he has no downside. Stafford can also get the most out of him as one of the best throwers in the league. Williams is small for his position and didn’t produce a 1,000-yard season in college, but that makes him perfect for a third option.
Another option is CJ Daniels. The Miami receiver is 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds. He had little production the last two years, with his best year coming in 2023 when he had 1,067 yards. Daniels is a good pass catcher who can make big-time catches and adjust to the pass wherever it is. Daniels played three years at Liberty before transferring to LSU in 2024, where he had zero drops and 42 catches, showcasing a strength in contested catches. He’s also a trusted run blocker as he was central to Miami’s screen game this season. He’s not known as a speedster but rather a possession receiver. He is a good option since McVay likes using 13 personnel with three tight ends.
Lastly, Deion Burks is a great receiver if the Rams choose not to re-sign Tutu Atwell. Burks is a speedster who can take the top off a defense. His 4.43 speed can be a bonus to a wide receiver room that doesn’t have a lot of speed. The only deep ball receiver the Rams used consistently throughout the season was Nacua. Burks could bring back the deep ball for the Rams offense, specializing in quick touchdowns. He is short at 5-foot-9 and really only one-dimensional in his addition to the offense, but if he’s used as an Atwell replacement, he’s not a bad draft selection.