Why you can expect much more out of WR Jordan Whittington in 2025

Paying your dues. When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams, many offensive rookies seem to underperform in the first year of their NFL careers. Are the Rams simply not entrusting them to play football at the NFL level? Or is there more to it? It happens too frequently to be tagged to just one player. And with the arrival of three offensive rookies in 2025: TE Terrance Ferguson, RB Jarquez Hunter, and WR Konata Mumpfeld, the situation is set to repeat itself.

Again, and again, and again.

It's not as though the Rams offense does not need material contributions from new arrivals. It's just that the team is stingy when it comes to distributing opportunities to inexperienced players. Yes, it's a Catch-22. Rams players who are inexperienced do not gain experience until they are allowed to play and handle the football. So it becomes a bit of an impasse for young players to crack the roster, step onto a football field, and earn the chance to make plays for this team.

All Rams rookie offensive skill players have to pay their dues.

Jordan Whittington paid his dues

When I have a chance to look back at the draft profile of Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington, everything written about him screams Los Angeles Rams offense. He was touted as a wide receiver who was physical, did the dirty work expected of a receiver in the NFL, and was touted as playing up to his 6-foot-1, 205-pound size. He was seen as an asset both on the football field and in the locker room.

Whittington was the guy who was willing to block, play decoy, and give way to teammates for the sake of the team. But due to his lack of production in college, he was seen as a player who was stuck in a slot receiver role in the NFL.

Oh, really?

In his 2024 preseason games, rookie WR Jordan Whittington needed just two games to put up 11 receptions and 126 receiving yards. That worked out to 11th place for all preseason receiver performances. But for players who appeared in just two games, he was just the second-most proficient receiver.

So much for low-balling his NFL impact.

When the 2024 NFL season rolled in, the rookie curse to offensive playmakers claimed Whittington as well. Despite a few opportunities, he did make a positive impression. Due to injuries, he started three games and caught 22 of 28 passes for 293 yards. He did so despite suiting up for just 278 offensive snaps.

In the three games that he started, he put up:

• Week 4 @ Chicago Bears - 6 of 8 for 62 yards
• Week 5 vs Green Bay Packers - 7 of 10 for 89 yards
• Week 18 vs Seattle Seahawks - 3 of 4 for 86 yards

As you can see, he caught passes when he was targeted. The trouble was that he was rarely targeted. That is something that was beyond his control.

How well did Whittington perform in 2024?

The Rams offense parted ways with veterans Cooper Kupp, Demarcus Robinson, and Tyler Johnson. In their place, the team added veteran WR Davante Adams and rookie WR Konata Mumpfield. Simply from raw numbers, Whittington has moved up in the depth chart, with many pre-season projections toggling him as a third wide receiver splitting time with veteran WR Tutu Atwell.

Does he deserve more work to be steered his way? Absolutely yes, without hesitation.

Jordan Whittington has paid his dues. He was given only a minimal role in the offense in 2024 and passed with flying colors. He remained productive, focused, and passionate throughout his rookie season, ever ready to step up for the team. When his role pivoted from possession receiver to deeper routes in Week 18, he was able to step up in that game, too.

And that was against the Seahawks starting defensive backs.

Why will Whittington surge in 2025?

Okay, fair enough. Has he used his rookie experience to come back in his second year even more effective and motivated? Again, the answer is an emphatic yes, without conditions.

In his interview with Rams reporter Stu Jackson, Whittington does more than check all of the mandatory boxes for a player returning in Year 2. He not only acknowledges the contributions of veterans to his career, but also has spent his time diving more deeply into understanding the details of offensive plays:

""I would say I have grown more on the football IQ side, just going through a full season, getting more familiar with the game at the NFL level, and having Cooper (Kupp) last year, and then now having Davante (Adams). Those are two people that I've been able to pick their brains and get a lot of knowledge from them. So I think the transition from (year) one to (year) two, it definitely was great, and I could see that kind of throughout the OTAs, and stuff moving slower and just knowing more of the detailed stuff.""

Rams WR Jordan Whittington

With greater understanding, Whittington is now able to adapt in real time to what he sees on the football field. With that additional weapon in his arsenal, he can begin the task of implementing countermeasures to thwart defensive coverage schemes.

As much as I want to believe that this offense is open to receivers, tight ends, and running backs of all sizes, speeds, and power, the Rams inevitably will want to return to plays and strategies that are familiar and effective. That almost certainly means that Whittington will be given a larger role in the offense this year.

How much more? The Rams targeted veteran WR Demarcus Robinson 64 times in 2024. That is a solid projection for targets to Whittington in 2025. If the Rams do throw his way that often, you can expect 45 receptions for around 650 yards this year.

Too optimistic for your taste? It could be the low end of his 2025 production. As always, thanks for reading.

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