Sorting through LA Rams WR options: Reynolds, OBJ, or another FA?

In any LA Rams NFL Draft, there is a pretty easy rule of thumb to use when trying to determine who the team might select: There has never been a wide receiver who the LA Rams didn’t like. Specifically, head coach Sean McVay. So it really should have come as no surprise when the LA Rams committed three draft picks to the position in the 2021 NFL Draft: Tutu Atwell, Jacob Harris, and Ben Skowronek.

While all three players made the LA Rams initial 53-man active roster, season-ending injuries have lost both Atwell and Harris as the team enters the second half of the 2021 NFL season. Compounding the matter even further is the fact that last year’s wide receiver, Trishton Jackson, was waived and subsequently signed on with the Minnesota Vikings.

Additionally, veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson sought a larger role in the Rams’ offense, or to be traded to another NFL team before the trade deadline.  When that did not happen, the team outright released him. He has subsequently signed on with the Las Vegas Raiders

All of these actions have depleted one of the strongest positions on the Rams roster. In fact, the Rams have historically carried six wide receivers on the roster. Due to injuries, the position is now down to five.

Perhaps even more concerning? The receiver group has two of five players in their first NFL season for the Rams. Rookie Ben Skowronek, a 6-foot-3 224-pound receiver with strong hands, has just begun to get involved in the offense.

WR/PR J.J. Koski, a 6-foot-1 195-pound receiver just called up from the practice squad, has yet to catch a pass for the Rams. But he did find action on special teams and was able to return a punt for seven yards. A small step for the special teams’ return unit, but finally a step in a positive direction.