Rams offense dares defenses: How can you solve a problem like Whittington?

The LA Rams are creating problems for defenses in just one preseason game, and we haven't even gotten to the team's starters yet. It's a problem of how to defend the physicality of rookie wide receiver Jordan Whittington, a player who seems to check all of the boxes from the punch list first noticed when the team drafted hybrid TE/WR Jacob Harris with the 141st pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

While Harris never worked out in the Rams offensive scheme, the role he was earmarked to fill was never taken off the team's shopping list. The team wanted to add a physical receiver who had the power to block like a tight end, the route running ability and separation creation of a wide receiver, and the physicality to break tackles and advance the football like a power back.

The Rams front office found the rookie who checks all of the boxes. His name is Jordan Whittington, and he creates all kinds of problems for defenses. Such as: How can they hope to defend him?

He is too big and powerful to be covered by defensive backs effectively. He is too elusive and crisp in his route running to be covered by linebackers. And he is simply too unpredictable and versatile to be handled by a safety. He is the type of receiver in this offense who can dictate coverages, can appear at any position in this offense, and who can deliver no matter where he lines up.

That creates problems for defenses.

The lyrics from 'How do you solve a problem like Maria' from the Sound of Music seem appropriate for rookie WR Jordan Whittington as well. In that classic tale, a convent tries to house a renegade nun who is not suited to the restrictive lifestyle of the convent. After reviewing the lyrics, the same questions apply to WR Jordan Whittington too:

"How do you solve a problem like Whittington?

How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?

How do you find a word that means Whittington?

A flibbertijibbet! A will-o'-the wisp! A clown!"

- Sound of Music modified lyrics

Hats off to the Rams front office, the coaching staff, and especially to Rams WR Coach Eric Yarber. Whittington was overlooked and passed over by all 32 NFL teams and was considered an inferior rookie prospect to 212 other drafted rookies. It was not until the LA Rams selected Whittington with the 213th pick in Round 6 of the 2024 NFL Draft that he found his home in the NFL.

And just like former BYU rookie WR Puka Nacua in the 2023 NFL Draft, it is the Rams who fully recognized what a valuable talent this former Longhorn wide receiver brought to the NFL.

And it's already showing up:

How good was rookie WR Jordan Whittington's debut? How about the top-rated rookie in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL preseason.

Let's be honest. The Rams wide receiver room is loaded with talent. Even with the highest graded rookie wide receiver in his preseason debut, there are almost no paths to significant playing time for Jordan Whittington this season. Some offensive snaps? Sure. But he is not going to attract the number of targets necessary to put up 1000+ receiving yards in 2024.

On the other hand, he is a huge asset to have on the Rams roster in case any receivers suffer injury, he becomes an A+ resource to give starters rest to aid in managing their workload, and he is a huge player as the team plans for the future.

Many NFL analysts overlooked the LA Rams wide receiver this season. But let's cut to the chase. If backup QB Stetson Bennett can elevate WR Jordan Whittington to the level of top-rated rookie WR in his first preseason game, just how well will the Rams receivers do in the 2024 NFL season with veteran QB Matthew Stafford throwing to the group?

Think about it. This offense is loaded. But it seems that fact is still a secret to the NFL at large.

As always, thank you so much for reading.