Beleaguered Rams playmaker may be nearing his only chance at redemption

Agonized Los Angeles Rams fans will remember Xavier Smith's muffed punt in the NFC Championship game for years, if not decades to come. While his team had other chances, it's fair to say the play cost them the game. And 2026 may be his only shot at redeeming himself within the Rams' organization.

A former undrafted free agent out of Florida A&M, Smith flashed promise as a sophomore. But the Rams need more consistency from Smith in Year 3, particularly as a receiver. The depth chart is wide open behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, so, assuming he makes the team, he'll have his chances. 

Without a punt returner to replace Smith, the Horns don't have much choice but to keep him around for now, if only for that. Seeing as they brought him back in restricted free agency, the organization clearly has some level of interest in his contributions and potential.

Smith can't lapse into a false sense of security, however. The Rams may move on rather quickly if he fails to grow as a receiver, leaving that ill-timed miscue to define his time in Los Angeles.

Smith could be entering make-or-break season in Year 3

Let's be clear, aside from one nightmarish moment, Smith was fine. He finished the year with 18 catches for 303 yards, accumulated 251 punt return yards (9.3 per attempt), and racked up 303 yards on kickoff runbacks (23.2). Using his speed and quickness to stretch the field, Smith hauled in four receptions of 36-plus yards. 

He'll need to supply more of that, in addition to his kick return duties, to secure his roster spot beyond this season. Having to use a slot on a special-teams-only player is a disadvantage the Rams won't be keen to incur. Smith had better prove useful in other areas.

That means taking the next step as a receiver, or, at a bare minimum, matching his 2025 production. He was, actually, the Rams' third-leading wideout in total receiving yards. Smith and Jordan Whittington tied for third place with 18 catches. The door will be at least as wide open again, with sixth-rounder CJ Daniels filling the spot vacated by Tutu Atwell. 

Compared to his rookie year, when Smith played almost exclusively on special teams, his offensive contributions already represented a massive jump. With his Year 2 production as a baseline, he won't have to make that kind of leap, but he will have to produce more consistently.

For that to happen, Smith must prove he deserves to have his number called. Only once last season did he receive more than three targets in a game, and only five times was he targeted more than once. He didn't have a pass thrown his way in the playoffs. 

Smith will be a restricted free agent again next offseason. Maybe the Rams will be content to keep him around as a special teams weapon and "Tutu Atwell Lite" receiver, but you have to think they'll start eyeing other options if he doesn't show progress.

At least for kick returns, they also have Whittington, who in 2026 could finally emerge from his shell. Replacing Smith would simply be a matter of finding someone to run back punts. 

Of course, GM Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay aren't still thinking about that play against the Seahawks (maybe in their nightmares). A new year is upon them, and it's time to work. For Smith, however, that infamous moment may well be the only thing Rams fans remember if he doesn't do enough this season to stick around.

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