Torry Holt pinpointed exactly why Rams won't give up on Jordan Whittington

Wide receiver Jordan Whittington joined the Los Angeles Rams in 2024 as a sixth-round pick out of Texas. After a solid rookie year, he took a step back last season. His numbers dipped across the board, as did his consistency. He just wasn't involved. Down the stretch and into the playoffs, he faded away almost entirely.

The Rams aren't giving up on him. In 2026, Whittington has a real chance to emerge as the No. 3 option in the receiver room - though not necessarily as the team's de facto No. 3 'receiver' - behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. 

Franchise legend Torry Holt said as much in an appearance on the Up and Adams Show with host Kay Adams. In singing Whittington's praises, he also touched on the one thing that will keep getting him opportunities for at least the next couple of seasons: doing the dirty work as a blocker.

"And the other thing: he doesn’t mind going in there and blocking and mixing it up. We all know Sean McVay’s wide receivers have to do that. Jordan Whittington certainly does that, and I think Sean McVay - and Coach Nate [Scheelhaase] - will give him ample opportunities to show what he is worth, what he can do, particularly when he gets the ball in his hands.” 

Whittington's willingness in all areas will keep him relevant in Rams' offense

Holt is right when he says Whittington "will have an opportunity to really show up this year." Frankly, the Rams need him to. Addressing other areas of the roster has left the receiver rotation rather thin. McVay has Nacua and Adams to work with, plus his battalion of tight ends, but the offense needs a third option to surface somewhere. 

Getting one's hands dirty on blocking assignments is, as Holt says, the price of admission for Rams receivers. For his part, Whittington is more than willing to get down in the muck, and that could be his ticket to seizing the opportunity that is there for the taking.

It may simply be a matter of doing enough to keep himself on the field. "They kept him on the roster this long," Holt said. "And he's been in and out. But when he's there, and he's healthy, Jordan Whittington is a very, very good football player."

The Rams know he has potential. Their other receivers do, too, but Whittington's teammates are more limited in their offensive versatility. 

Aside from returning punts, Xavier Smith is mostly a deep threat. CJ Daniels, though promising, is a sixth-round rookie. Sophomore Konata Mumpfield lacks Whittington's strength and physicality, making him less effective as a blocker, and even last season, Whittington commanded more attention in the Rams' offense.

Nacua is a perfect example of what McVay wants out of his receivers. Obviously, he is also one of the game's most explosive receivers. Last season, he tied Jaxson Smith-Njigba, the Offensive Player of the Year, for the league lead in receptions of 20-plus yards, while besting the Seattle Seahawks wideout in yards per route run. 

But what makes Nacua the best at his craft, aside from his production after the catch, is his ferocity in blocking schemes. The guy is basically half-tight end. Cooper Kupp, the Super Bowl LVI MVP, was the same way. Even Adams, known more for his fantasy stats than his physicality, is quite capable.

Embodying that ethos, providing value in ways other than catching the football, is how Whittington can position himself to capitalize on whatever chances come his way. As long as he does his part, the Rams will continue to believe in him. 

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