Rams' answer after waiving Xavier Smith won't move the needle on special teams

The Los Angeles Rams waived receiver and punt returner Xavier Smith on Friday, the first move to supposedly upgrade a special-teams unit that has not taken the hoped-for step despite offseason tweaks. 

To fill his spot on the roster, they called up practice-squad veteran Alex Bachman, who most recently saw action for the Raiders during the past two seasons. 

Of course, many Rams fans would tell you the return game needed a change. They would probably be right. Smith seemed unsure of himself reeling in punts at times this season, an all too vivid reminder of last year's blunder in the NFC title game. 

It's also true that Bachman is unlikely to provide a meaningful boost in Smith's role. If anything, the Rams have downgraded their explosive upside in the return game. 

Right idea, wrong solution. 

Rams puzzlingly cut Xavier Smith without an upgrade on hand

Thus far this season, Smith had returned a league-high seven punts for 69 yards, with a long of 19. That's right in line with his performance over the past two years, in which he averaged 9.3 yards per return on 43 total runbacks.

Smith saw less success on kickoffs, averaging only 20.6 yards per return as the Rams rotate various returners in search of a solid primary option. 

Perhaps the final nail in the coffin was his lack of receiving production. In 80 offensive snaps, Smith was targeted once for no catches. Last season, he was the team's WR3 after Puka Nacua and Davante Adams with 18 receptions for 303 yards. 

Clearly there was room for improvement. Asking Bachman, a 30-year-old journeyman who lacks Smith's pure speed. 

In a regular returner role for the first time in his career, Bachman last year in Las Vegas returned 22 punts for 124 yards, an average of 5.6. He has four career kick returns for 94 yards, and five catches for 43. 

Rams fans got a glimpse of Bachman in the preseason, when the team signed him to replace the injured Mario Williams. He was fine. Nothing special. Of course, Smith had not exactly been that, either. 

Aside from Bachman, the Rams could experiment with Tutu Atwell on punt returns. Despite his lack of experience in the role, his team-best speed could come in handy returning kicks. 

That's about it for options. No one aside from Smith has fielded a punt this season. Running back Kyren Williams returned one for eight yards a year ago. Using him on returns sounds like a great way to get a primary playmaker hurt. No-go. 

At the end of the day, it's easy to understand why the Rams felt they needed a change. What's not clear is whether any immediate replacement will provide anything better. Based on the options in-house, odds are it won't be. 

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