5 surprising Rams rookies who will make a difference in the playoffs

(5) - Rookie WR Jordan Whittington

When the LA Rams selected former Texas wide receiver Jordan Whittington in Round 6 of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 213th overall pick, some may have viewed his selection as too little too late from the robust talent up for grabs in that draft. But Whittington was clearly custom-made for an offense that asks receivers to block, run, and run precise routes, as well as catch the football. Whittington excelled at doing the dirty work for the Texas Longhorns.

And that is what made him stand out in terms of the Rams choosing him as the first and only receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Rams did not rush Whittington onto the football field in 2024. That is not to say that he did not shine like a diamond when he did get offensive snaps. Whittington appeared in 15 games in 2024, started in three games, and saw action in 278 offensive snaps. He caught 22 of 28 passes thrown his way for 293 receiving yards, 14 first downs, and nearly a 79 percent completion rate.

Now, here's where it gets fun. Jordan Whittington had 90 yards before catches in 2024, and 203 yards after the catch (YAC). That's phenomenal, but is exactly what the team hoped for in selecting him to the team. Whittington stands 6-foot-1, tips the scales at 201 pounds, and is as tough to tackle as an NFL power back. His level of physicality matches the most seasoned NFL veteran. But can he test the back end of NFL secondaries?

You tell me after checking out this 50-yard reception off the hands of Rams backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo:

Over the course of the season, Whittington had receptions of 15, 16, 22, 31, and 50 yards. So clearly he can and did put up massive yards in single plays. Typically, receivers who specialize in deep balls tend to hover around 50.0 percent catch rates. But not Whittington, who boasted a catch rate of nearly 79 percent while averaging 13.3 yards per reception.

The Rams need a physical receiver. That is doubly true in the 2025 NFL Playoffs. While the team has benefited from the physicality of WR Puka Nacua, and the speed of WR Tutu Atwell, the offense may have found the perfect union of those two veterans in Whittington.