Matthew Stafford will shine with LA Rams receivers

We’ve touched on this topic before, but with the arrival of new data, it’s always a good turn to revisit a subject in order to make sense of any new information. The LA Rams have added Matthew Stafford, a very impressive quarterback who can throw from multiple platforms, can throw off-schedule, can make his reads and progressions very quickly, and can throw the ball into a very tight window on the money.

Oh, but there’s a problem. He won’t need to throw into a tight window. You see, the LA Rams receiver tandem of Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are very good at creating separation. So good, in fact, that they are among the league leaders in yards after the catch. They are consistently very good at that because they often do not have a defender in their area. How do we know this?

Data:

As soon as you look at the graph, you’ll note that Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are both very good at getting separation and racking up yards after the catch. Further inspection reveals that the Detroit Lions 2020 receivers were not. And here is where it gets fun. Stafford will feed off the fact that his receivers get open so well. And both Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp will feed off Matthew Stafford.

Stafford has done very well throwing to receivers who did not need to create separation because Stafford could throw the ball to them so accurately that they would catch it anyway. Both Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods get open, a lot, and oftentimes they would not get the ball thrown their way. Whether they were downfield, or simply too deep on the progression reads, invariably one or both would be wide open and no pass came their way. Or would drop harmlessly behind them.

Sure there are questions about Matthew Stafford’s ability to synch up and lead this high-powered offense on opening night. But you can bet that these receivers will make it easier to do so than most. Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods may be far better receivers than anyone realizes.