It's not even training camp and Rams WRs already discounted by NFL experts

While the Los Angeles Rams willingly parted ways with WR Cooper Kupp and allowed both WR Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson to find new teams to play for in 2025, the team has managed to retain a rather potent aerial assault with WRs Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Tutu Atwell, and even Jordan Whittington. But when it comes to a panel of NFL experts assembled by ESPN's NFL Insider/analyst Jeremy Fowler, that doesn't impress them much.

The Los Angeles Rams could not crack the Top 10 with any wide receiver, and nothing screams East Coast bias than a survey that puts Philadelphia Eagles WR AJ Brown and New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson above Los Angeles Rams WRs Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. If nothing else Rams duo combined for 25 games, 164 receptions, 2,053 receiving yards, and 11 receiving touchdowns. But neither was deemed worthy of a Top 10 designation.

Curiously, both earned Honorable Mentions. And the quips that described their placement among the six receivers in the list are telling:

Rams receivers have more motivation to erupt in 2025

Puka Nacua: "I can't believe he's not in the top 10. He's just got the 'it' factor." -- NFL defensive coach

Need more 'proof? Just check out this writeup about Rams WR Puka Nacua, that effectively ranks him as the second-most dangerous wide receiver in the NFL in 2025:

Davante Adams: "When you watch him up close, he's still exactly what the classic 'X' receiver should look like." -- NFL coordinator

So why am I so adamant about reasons why both Nacua and Adams should have placed among the Top 10 wide receivers? Well, if you adjust their combined 2,053 yard per 25 games, you average just over 82 receiving yards per game. And if you adjust that for 17 games, you find the pair averages nearly 1400 receiving yards in a 17 game season. That places both receivers at the third most proficient receivers in the NFL.

Now, consider the quarterbacks. WR Justin Jefferson will be catching passes thrown by Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy in 2025. WR A.J. Brown will be catching passes thrown by Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, who is far more likely to hand off to RB Saquon Barkley. WR Garrett Wilson will be catching passes thrown by New York Jets starting quarterback Justin Fields.

Puka Nacua and Davante Adams will be catching passes thrown by veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford is the same quarterback who threw to NFL All-Time Single Season Receiver record holders Calvin Johnson, Cooper Kupp, and even Puka Nacua. So why would NFL experts, who know that it's as much about the quarterback as it is the receiver, ignore that symbiotic relationship?

Will the Rams wide receiver duo team up for a huge 2025 season? Well , they could. If the duo put up over 2000 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on just 25 games, they should clear 2,600 yards and 14 touchdowns, even if both sit out the final game of the season. Keep in mind that Adams will not be learning two different offenses this year, and Puka Nacua is entering his third and perhaps most productive NFL season.

The Rams offense may have a new look for 2025, but it will come down to the same thing. The best players will get the most targets. The Rams have a wide range of new weapons for the offense in 2025. But it will come down to Matthew Stafford throwing to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams this season.

It's not even training camp, and Rams WRs are already discounted by NFL experts. But that's nothing that cold, hard reality can't fix. The more Rams receivers are doubted this season, the more shocking the results will be.

As always, thanks for reading.

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