By now, everyone knows what the Los Angeles Rams‘ biggest needs are after the 2025 NFL Draft.
L.A. needs help in the secondary and at linebacker — two positions which were already an issue heading into the draft. The Rams added linebacker Chris Paul Jr., but otherwise drafted positions they already had some stability.
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However, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz sees another missing piece on the Rams roster: a third receiver. While Davante Adams and Puka Nacau are elite first and second options (though it remains to be seen which is which), the Rams lack a true threat at that third spot.
“Davante Adams was a huge addition, but the departures of Cooper Kupp and Demarcus Robinson produced a net loss of one starting wide receiver. Tutu Atwell is now the No. 3 option. He had a solid 2024 with 11.7% receiving DVOA to go with 42 catches for 562 yards, but he’s not regarded as a starting option around the league. And the depth behind him is poor.
“Jordan Whittington had 22 catches for 293 yards as a sixth-round rookie in 2024, but Xavier Smith had only two catches for 6 yards. The Rams didn’t draft a receiver until selecting Konata Mumpfield in Round 7. Los Angeles might not need a No. 3 receiver that often, though, as drafting Terrance Ferguson in Round 2 indicates more two-TE personnel groupings.”
The best guess is that Atwell and Whittington will be the theoretical third receiver options that will play different areas of the field. Atwell is more a speedy player, while Whittington can play more in the middle of the field. Mumpfield fits a similar mode as a route-running technician if he can carve out a role on the offense.
The Rams could have certainly added more offensive firepower at the receiver position early, but opted to take Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson with their first pick of the draft at No. 46. He or veteran starting tight end Tyler Higbee could be considered that third receiving option as well, depending on what Sean McVay wants his offense to look like in 2025 with Matthew Stafford still under center.
So while the Rams still need help on defense, maybe they can look at the free agent pool for a true third option at receiver.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams’ post-draft missing piece isn’t what you expect, per NFL analyst