LA Rams pick up a pair of WRs for practice squad, and more . . . ?

WR Jerreth Sterns

If you are not excited about smallish wide receivers in the LA Rams offense, you will not be too excited about newly signed WR Jerreth Sterns, who hails from Western Kentucky. the reason is pretty obvious, as he stands an optimistic 5-foot-9 and weighs 195 pounds.

Because he does not stand over 6-foot-0 nor does he top 200 pounds, you may question whether or not he has the size to block and remain healthy in the NFL. He can block and blocks well. But the main receiver to add a receiver to the Rams roster is how well can the guy catch a pass and run with the football after the catch, so let’s start there.

Triple Crown winner in 2021

Sterns signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2022 NFL Draft as an undrafted rookie. He did not let that stop him from raising a few eyebrows, as he came in and made a very positive impression on the coaching staff throughout the training camp. He carried that over to the Bucs preseason, where he caught six passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, his best play was in the first preseason game, and his play tailed off in the final two preseason games.

While he showed some promise, he suffered the NFL roster numbers game and was cut to get the Bucs to their 53-man limit.

He hails from TE Tyler Higbee’s alma mater and joins Higbee as the only Hilltopper named to the AP Midseason All-America Team since 2009.  The guy can make catches. In 2021, he caught 150 passes for 1,902 yards and  17 touchdowns. Those are Cooper Kupp-type numbers and resulted in his 2021 season leading the NCAA in all three categories (receptions, yards, and touchdowns). He also was used on special teams as a punt returner.

While not an ideal size, the NFL has plenty of successful receivers who stand under 6-foot-0 and who are either super fast or good possession types. Sterns is a possession type. Keep him on your radar.