Xavier Smith has clean slate to become Rams weapon Sean McVay always wanted

Wide receiver Xavier Smith wasn't technically a rookie last season, but it was the first time he was involved in the Los Angeles Rams' offense. With Tutu Atwell injured and ineffective, head coach Sean McVay turned elsewhere for his sought-after deep threat. He settled on Smith, and while the results weren't spectacular, the young kick returner filled his dual duties serviceably. 

This season, Smith has a clear pathway to become the weapon McVay has always wanted. 

Over the years, McVay has experimented with DeSean Jackson, Van Jefferson, Atwell, and others, never quite finding a steady downfield producer to supply solid bang for the Rams' buck. Jefferson and Atwell were second-round picks. Smith was an undrafted free agent. From the team's perspective, whether he can fill the deep-target role in the long term is basically a free roll.

While Smith is never going to be an every-down receiver, L.A. could hit big money if he seizes the opportunity in front of him.

Rams can expand Smith's role to fill Atwell's shoes

With Atwell gone, Smith should inherit his office from the get-go. That should help him find his rhythm early. So should the opportunity to put in reps with quarterback Matthew Stafford during training camp, which no receiver was able to last year as Stafford sat out with a bad back.

Smith was targeted once in his first six games, and it wasn't until Davante Adams' injury late in the season that he had consecutive games of 15-plus receiving yards. Smith finished with 18 catches for 303 yards and three touchdowns.

This time, he can establish a connection with Stafford from the start. Smith won't be a big part of the offense, but with a wide-open depth chart after Puka Nacua and Adams, a larger role is there for the taking. 

Listed at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, Smith is of almost identical size to Atwell. He also has similar hot-wheel speed, posting a 4.38 40-time as an Amazon-employee-turned-NFL-prospect. And the Rams deployed him in basically the same capacity as Atwell last season, targeting Smith at an average depth of 16.8 yards. 

McVay can find a way to incorporate Smith more often if he wants to. Calling his number on screen passes or in the flat could allow him to take advantage of that punt returner's speed in open space. 

Unlike other Rams receivers, Smith's small size limits his blocking ability, which will cap his involvement to some extent. Still, he has a clear runway to take off in a way he didn't last season. With L.A.'s dearth of supplementary options, it wouldn't be all that surprising to see him take on the full trappings of Atwell's former mantle.

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