Training Camp! Quick tour of LA Rams 7 key advantages
By Bret Stuter
Receivers
The LA Rams passing game is no longer one that will give quarterback Jared Goff all day to throw. So any strategy of testing the deep part of the defensive secondary multiple times per quarter will fail. That’s just fine, as the LA Rams receiving corps is one of the most dangerous and underrated receiver groups in the NFL today. The LA Rams were one of only three teams to boast two 1,000 receivers on the same team in the same year.
Of course, we’re talking about WR Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. Without speedy veteran WR Brandin Cooks this year, the Rams will likely turn to Josh Reynolds Reynolds has flashed brilliance for the Rams in the past, and definitely has potential to be a solid impact player for the team. However, if he hopes to play any significant number of snaps, he’ll need to clean up his catch percentage. Historically, he hauls in 50.8 percent of the passes thrown his way. His teammate, Cooper Kupp, caught 72.6 percent of the passes thrown his way.
Tight ends and rookies
Of course, the Rams have a pair of tight ends they are excited to get back onto the football field. Last season’s miraculous December by tight-end Tyler Higbee hauled in 522 receiving yards for one month. It’s all thanks to putting two-tight-end formations on the field two-thirds of the time for the last five games. Now, the Rams are just as eager to get his teammate Gerald Everett his share of looks. Johnny Mundt returns to the team once more. While he is not a major player in the passing game, he was very important to the offense due to his versatility and blocking abilities.
The Rams also have rookie WR Van Jefferson and TE Brycen Hopkins joining the team. Jefferson is the one to watch early. He is a tactician, a player who will arrive in shape, knowing the playbook, and ready to exhibit his wares from the moment he hits the field. Hopkins may be a late bloomer this year, but his upside is far far higher than his draft position. If he is stashed on the team’s practice squad, he’ll likely be called up by mid-1season.