Trent McDuffie is being challenged in Rams training camp like never before

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie is being put to the test in training camp. It didn't take long to learn that covering Davante Adams, even in practice, is no easy task. 

McDuffie went so far as to include Adams in his top three most difficult receiver assignments, along with Ja'Marr Chase and Tyreek Hill. 

The former Chiefs star turned pro in 2022, weeks after Hill, a would-be teammate, was traded to Miami. In Chiefs camp, McDuffie never had to cover Hill. In Kansas City's often ramshackle receiver rooms, Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice were his toughest competition.

Both are fine young receivers, to be sure, but they aren't on Adams' level. Facing Adams, with Matthew Stafford in the pocket, is a whole new challenge. What a rude way for his Rams teammates to greet him. Just look at what McDuffie has to deal with on a daily basis:

McDuffie has his hands full in Rams training camp

Good luck getting his head turned around in time to deflect that perfectly arced bullet from No. 9. You couldn't map a straighter line from Stafford's point of release to the tiny corner of the end zone where Adams is, of course, right on time to intercept the streaking dime with a one-handed grab. Possession. Two feet. Touchdown. 

The good news for McDuffie is that he will no longer face Adams in real games. During his first two-and-a-half seasons, when Adams played in Las Vegas, McDuffie could count on two annual AFC West matchups with the future Hall of Famer. 

Now, he just has to fight for his life on the Rams' practice field. And credit McDuffie. That is tight coverage. Adams is wearing him like a second jersey. Unfortunately for defensive backs, none of that matters if Adams has a free hand and a sliver of space.

Thus far, McDuffie has not been featured in any training-camp highlights involving Puka Nacua. Imagine having to toggle between the Rams' two-headed monster at receiver. Fun stuff. Just ask Emmanuel Forbes.

For McDuffie, actually, maybe it is fun - in a way. It's certainly a challenge, one that will help him improve his coverage skills for matchups against Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba or the 49ers' Mike Evans this season. 

No doubt it will also allow him to relate to opposing DBs tasked with covering Adams and Nacua. I feel your pain. Good luck. Better you than me.

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