3 receivers the Rams could trade for to ease Puka Nacua's burden

Masked by a two-game win streak and revitalized run game, Davante Adams' absence has proven as impactful as Los Angeles Rams fans feared. Puka Nacua has led the charge both weeks, but with defenses able to hone in on him, he's been more like a supercharged tight end than a wide receiver: 19 catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns since Adams went out.

The Rams' passing attack has devolved to a dink-and-dunk show. That's more on an utter lack of receiving weapons aside from Nacua than it is on an aging Matthew Stafford or conservative playcalling. Adams is progressing well, but the shorter end of his six to 10 week return timeline still means he won't be back until Week 12 or 13 at the absolute earliest.

Tutu Atwell was finally featured in Week 8, hauling in a 40-yard bomb that got the offense going after five three-and-outs to start the game. But is he a reliable week-to-week option? Safe to assume not until proven otherwise; since last season, he has 11 catches in 15 games. 

The Rams need help, and with a nearing November 10 trade deadline and a whiff of momentum, perhaps they foray into the receiver trade market to try and ease Nacua's burden and open up downfield routes. 

3 WRs who could help the Rams in a trade

Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts' season is circling the drain. They fired their general manager, Chris Ballard. They're 2-6 after being blown out 42-7 by the Jaguars in Week 8. They already flipped star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (to the San Francisco 49ers). Running back Jonathan Taylor is on the trade block as well. Downs, a former third-rounder in the last year of his rookie deal, has requested a trade himself. 

Downs isn't the most explosive of threats, but he's productive, something none of the Rams' depth receivers have been this season. Downs leads the Colts with 30 catches for 330 yards and has five catches of 20-plus yards. He's on a cheap contract. Good enough. 

The only snag is Indy's asking price and the Rams' lack of assets. The Colts reportedly want a third-round pick. Realistically, they probably won't get it - not for a solid but ceiling-capped player in his final year under contract. But the Rams only have four picks in next year's draft and have depleted their 2028 stock as well. Most likely, Downs will go to a team that can afford to overpay. 

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

Thomas has been in the rumor mill for weeks. Unlike Downs, he has the skill set of a natural downfield threat. Also unlike Downs, and the reason that Thomas is available, he hasn't been at all productive: 10 catches for 1107 yards on 22 targets. 

Somehow, this is the same first-round rookie who posted a stat line of 87/1282/10 and made the Pro Bowl. Thomas won't hit free agency until after next season, with a potential fifth-year option. If a change of scenery gets him back in gear, he could be a real get. 

For a team like the Rams, the problem is once again a dicey cost-benefit analysis. Using the Cardinals' Marvin Harrison Jr. trade as a model, the Jaguars want a second-rounder for Thomas. They may or may not get it - Harrison was a top-five draft pick, not a top-25er like Thomas, inherently boosting his trade value - but at that starting cost, the Rams may already be on the outside looking in. 

Dontayvion Wicks, Philadelphia Eagles

Traded by the Packers this offseason, Wicks has been solid for a Philly team in a similar position as the Colts; with quarterback Jalen Hurts out indefinitely and the season going nowhere, they'd be wise to sell off parts. Wicks has 19 catches for 284 yards, but he's been fairly efficient. His 56.4 success rate is easily the best of the three receivers listed, and he's a reliable producer in the middle of the field. 

Wicks is under contract through 2027 after signing a $12.5 million, one-year extension with Philadelphia. While that's a decent chunk of change, the Rams will likely pay someone next season to replace Adams, a pending free agent, and Wicks has a higher floor and ceiling than any other  LA receiver not named Nacua. 

Here, actually, the Rams could find a more palatable asking price, if the Eagles aren't too bitter toward their NFC rivals. To get Wicks, Philly sent Green Bay a 2026 fifth-rounder and a '27 sixth. The Eagles might get less than that if teams sense a fire sale on brewing. 

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