Snead’s Snacks: Which receivers best fit next to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp?

These five wide receivers would be perfects fits for Rams in the draft

On initial look, the Los Angeles Rams seem to be set at wide receiver. However, only Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are under contract next year. That doesn’t mention Kupp’s injury problems and the fact that he’s on the wrong side of 30. With that said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Rams select a wide receiver or two in the upcoming NFL draft.

Heading into the draft, it makes sense to target that “x” receiver role that can complement Nacua and be the third wide receiver in the case that Kupp does have a bounce back season. Given that we’re looking primarily at “x” receivers, that will not include players like Malachi Corley, Ladd McConkey, or Roman Wilson who are primarily slot receivers and would be fits otherwise. That doesn’t mean that the Rams won’t draft any of those players, but only that their receiver position isn’t what we’re going to be looking at today.

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Notable Past Rams Drafted Players

Puka Nacua, BYU – 5th Round

Measurables:

Height: 6’1 (60th percentile)

Weight: 210-pounds (49th percentile)

Arm Length: 32 inches (36th percentile)

Shuttle: 4.36 seconds

3-cone: 7.32 seconds

Broad Jump: 121 inches

Vertical: 33 inches

40-yard dash: 4.56 seconds

Size Grade: Good

Speed Grade: Okay

Agility Grade: Poor

Explosion Grade: Okay

RAS: 5.17 – Okay

Traits:

• Good routes
• Elite YAC Ability/Ball-tracking
• Great Run-Blocking

Overview of Pick

Puka Nacua had the best rookie season for any wide receiver in the history of the NFL. He broke the rookie yards and receptions record in the same season. Nacua will be the team’s number two wide receiver heading into this year and has the upside to replace Kupp as the Rams’ top target.

TuTu Atwell, Louisville – 2nd Round

Measurables:

Height: 5’8 (4th percentile)

Weight: 155-pounds (0th percentile)

Arm Length: 29.25 inches (2nd percentile)

Shuttle: 4.09 seconds (84th percentile)

3-cone: 6.87 seconds (66th percentile)

Broad Jump: 117 inches (25th percentile)

Vertical: 33 inches (21st percentile)

40-yard dash: 4.39 seconds (86th percentile)

Size Grade: Very Poor

Speed Grade: Elite

Agility Grade: Great

Explosion Grade: Poor

RAS: 6.26 – Good

Traits:

• Good athlete/fast
• Good route-runner
• Competitive run-blocker/physical

Overview of Pick

There’s a lot of controversy with the TuTu Atwell pick given that he was selected over Creed Humphrey. Atwell finally got an opportunity to shine over the last seasons at times he’s shown positive flashes. At the end of the day, the fit may just not be there and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Rams moved on via a trade or at the end of this year.

Ben Skowronek, Notre Dame – 7th Round

Measurables:

Height: 6’2

Weight: 220-pounds

Arm Length: N/A

Shuttle: N/A

3-cone: N/A

Broad Jump: N/A

Vertical: N/A

40-yard dash: N/A

Size Grade: N/A

Speed Grade: N/A

Agility Grade: N/A

Explosion Grade: N/A

RAS: N/A

Traits:

• Positive in contested catches
• Consistent in routes
• Good blocker

Overview of Pick

Ben Skowronek went through some growing pains as a rookie. Still, he showed in 2022 and 2023 that he can be a good depth wide receiver or fourth wide receiver on the roster. For a seventh-round pick, Skowronek has developed nicely.

Van Jefferson, Florida – 2nd Round

Measurables:

Height: 6’1 (48th percentile)

Weight: 200-pounds (46th percentile)

Arm Length: N/A

Shuttle: N/A

3-cone: N/A

Broad Jump: N/A

Vertical: N/A

40-yard dash: N/A

Size Grade: Good

Speed Grade: N/A

Agility Grade: N/A

Explosion Grade: N/A

RAS: N/A

Traits:

• Good speed and YAC ability.
• Well-developed routes
• Competitive attitude

Overview of Pick

Van Jefferson came into the NFL as a player with a high floor, but low ceiling. That’s exactly what he developed into. Jefferson was fine and had some really good moments such as his touchdown in Arizona against the Cardinals and his game-winner in primetime against the Raiders. The Rams traded Jefferson last year as he fell down the depth chart.

Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington – 3rd Round

Measurables:

Height: 6’2 (67th percentile)

Weight: 204-pounds (55th percentile)

Arm Length: 31.5 inches (36th percentile)

Shuttle: 4.08 seconds (84th percentile)

3-cone: 6.75 seconds (82nd percentile)

Broad Jump: 116 inches (20th percentile)

Vertical: 31 inches (7th percentile)

40-yard dash: 4.62 seconds (13th percentile)

Size Grade: Good

Speed Grade: Poor

Agility Grade: N/A

Explosion Grade: Poor

RAS: 5 – Okay

Traits:

• Good ball-tracker
• Positive route-runner
• Confident and competitive

Overview of Pick

Cooper Kupp is probably the best draft pick in the McVay-era. He won the triple crown and Super Bowl MVP in 2021. Kupp fell to the third-round because of his slow 40-time and he played at a small school. The Rams took a chance and to say it paid off would be an understatement.

Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M – 4th Round

Measurables:

Height: 6’3 (81st percentile)

Weight: 194-pounds (32nd percentile)

Arm Length: 31.5 inches (36th percentile)

Shuttle: 4.13 seconds (75th percentile)

3-cone: 6.83 seconds (71st percentile)

Broad Jump: 124 inches (72nd percentile)

Vertical: 37 inches (71st percentile)

40-yard dash: 4.52 seconds (44th percentile)

Size Grade: Good

Speed Grade: Good

Agility Grade: Good

Explosion Grade: Great

RAS: 9.09 – Great

Traits:

• Vertical Threat and has good ball-tracking. Excels in contested catches
• No wasted motion in routes
• Good toughness and ultra competitive. Shows aggression as a blocker

Overview of Pick

Josh Reynolds was very good for a fourth-round pick. He was a solid third or fourth wide receiver. Following the years under Jeff Fisher, the Rams needed to rebuild the wide receiver room and Reynolds was a big part of that rebuild.

Notable Past Rams Undrafted/Signed Players

Brandin Cooks, Oregon State – Acquired in Trade

Measurables:

Height: 5’9 (9th percentile)

Weight: 189-pounds (21st percentile)

Arm Length: 30.75 inches (18th percentile)

Shuttle: 3.81 seconds (99th percentile)

3-cone: 6.76 (82nd percentile)

Broad Jump: 120 inches (45th percentile)

Vertical: 36 inches (57th percentile)

40-yard dash: 4.33 seconds (94th percentile)

Size Grade: Poor

Speed Grade: Elite

Agility Grade: Elite

Explosion Grade: Good

RAS: 9.14 – Great

Traits:

• Good speed and elusive after the catch
• Separates with breaks
• Competitive attitude

Robert Woods, USC – Signed as a free agent

Measurables:

Height: 6’0 (32nd percentile)

Weight: 201 (48th percentile)

Arm Length: 31 (23rd percentile)

Shuttle: 4.47 seconds (7th percentile)

3-cone: 7.15 seconds (19th percentile)

Broad Jump: 117 inches (25th percentile)

Vertical: 33.5 inches (27th percentile)

40-yard dash: 4.51 seconds (52nd percentile)

Size Grade: Okay

Speed Grade: Okay

Agility Grade: Very Poor

Explosion Grade: Poor

RAS: 3.55 – Poor

Traits:

• Good ball-tracking and body control
• YAC ability
• Can excel on any route
• Does his job downfield and a blocker

Common Traits Rams Look For in Wide Receivers

• Two of the wide receivers that the Rams have drafted didn’t test which limits our data. However, we can still come up with a decent picture of what they look for. Size doesn’t seem to be a big factor. TuTu Atwell didn’t have great size, nor did Brandin Cooks. They also don’t seem to value speed as Kupp ran a 4.62 and scored in the 13th percentile. We won’t necessarily be looking explosiveness either.
• The athletic testing that the Rams seem to value is the agility testing. Out of the wide receivers that have tested, most scored in the 75th percentile or higher in the 20-yard shuttle. Nacua is the only receiver with a poor 20-yard shuttle. The 3-cone scores are also pretty high. Nacua once again is the player with the slowest time. Most players scored good to great in agility testing.
• The emphasis on agility matches up with the traits that the Rams value. Almost every player was said to be a solid or good route-runner. Ben Skowronek was consistent in his routes and Van Jefferson was said to have well-developed routes. Nacua also ran good routes. The Rams value route-running.
• Competitiveness or willingness to block is something to look for in terms of traits. Atwell was seen as a competitive run-blocker. Jefferson and Kupp each had competitive listed as a trait.
• Some other common traits to keep an eye on would be YAC ability and elusiveness after the catch. Josh Reynolds, Skowronek, and Nacua were all good in contested catch situations or had good ball-tracking as well.

2024 Players Who Fit The Rams

Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

There may not be a better fit at wide receiver for the Rams in this class for what they need at the “x” receiver position. As Yahoo Sports’ Matt Harmon put it,

“Ideally, I’d like to see Thomas drafted by a team with a strong target-earner in place at the slot or flanker spot. This allows for Thomas to continue growing as a full-field player and technician while getting the most out of his flashes early on.”

That sounds a lot like the Rams with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kipp. Aside from the traits, Thomas’ route tree is similar to what the Rams have looked for at their “x” spot. Where Thomas excels is where Van Jefferson and Brandin Cooks also had success. That’s not to say that Thomas is Jefferson, but their route trees are similar.

From a traits perspective, Thomas also matches what the Rams have typically looked for at wide receiver. He shows flashes as a blocker downfield and when it comes to the Sean McVay offense, that’s something that they value in their receivers. While he has a limited route-tree, he’s a fluid mover and should be able to expand on that. He’s outstanding at tracking the ball down the field as well. His YAC ability is also a positive and one of many reasons why it’s easy to see a fit here.

Courtesy Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb) | RAS Football

Draft Projection: 1st

Keon Coleman, Florida State

There are some reasons to be concerned with Coleman. He’s very good in contested catch situations, but that also speaks to a lack of separation at times. That’s not to say that he is a bad route-runner, because there are some nice elements to his route-running. At times he shows that he is a very good route-runner. He isn’t the fastest wide receiver, but the Rams don’t necessarily value speed, but rather game-speed. Coleman had a very good gauntlet at the Combine where he hit the fastest miles per hour among receivers. That’s a drill that Nacua dominated in last year and those are the numbers that the Rams seem to care about.

His ability to make plays after the catch is also impressive. Coleman broke multiple tackles on 21.1% of his “in-space attempts last year. Add in his physicality as a run-blocker and this is a player that the Rams could like a lot.

Courtesy Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb) | RAS Football

Draft Projection: 1st-2nd

Xavier Legette, South Carolina

Legette is an interesting evaluation as an “x” receiver as he may find more success as a “Big Slot” in the NFL. With that said, his versatility is something that the Rams may value. Legette lined up all over the field at South Carolina, but can bring a vertical element on the outside. He brings serious physicality to his came as he’s an ultra-competitive player. The South Carolina wide receiver was elite in contested catch situation and is physical both after the catch and as a blocker. Legette has work to do as a route-runner, but his other traits are what put him in this conversation as a fit in Los Angeles. The Rams may have the coaching staff that can get the most out of him. Legette also provides value on special teams and it’s something that he takes pride in. At the Combine, Legette said,

“What I feel I can bring to any team is a hard worker and a guy that can be consistent every day and just bring a lot to the table…Being able to play special teams. I can do a lot on the special teams part of it. Even on the field I feel like I’m a great receiver…(Special teams) is important to me. Any way that I can help the team win. I don’t have any problem playing special teams. Even if I’m playing every rep on offense, I’m still going to go out there and play special teams.”

That’s a type of mentality that the Rams will like and will value. If Legette can provide value on special teams early and then slowly work his way onto the field on offense, that’s a clear development path.

Courtesy Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb) | RAS Football

Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd

Javon Baker, UCF

If the Rams go wide receiver on late day two of the draft, it wouldn’t be surprising if that player was Javon Baker. Baker fits nearly every trait that the Rams look for at the position. He’s a willing blocker with good ball-tracking skills. His YAC ability is also impressive and something that the Rams look for in their receivers. Baker may be the best overall fit for the Rams in this class and projects nicely as the “x” in their offense.

Courtesy Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb) | RAS Football

Draft Projection: 4th

Luke McCaffrey

McCaffrey could end up being a solid day three option for the Rams. He’s the brother of Christian McCaffrey, but not as highly touted of a prospect. However, he’s a smart route-runner and that shows in his agility times at the Combine where he scored in the 87th and 91st percentile in the 3-cone and shuttle. McCaffrey is more of an “F” or “Z” receiver, but some of the traits are there, especially in contest catch scenarios. He’s not a great run blocker and has limited experience on special teams. With that said, there are some things to like here.

Courtesy Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb) | RAS Football

Draft Projection: 5th-6th

Honorable Mentions

Rome Odunze

• Very good route runner
• Excels in contested catch situations
• Physical YAC ability
• High Agility scores
• Would Rams trade up?

Draft Projection: Top-10

Ricky Pearsall

• Detailed route-runner
• Good agility scores
• Willing Blocker

Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd

Johnny Wilson

• Smart route-runner
• Tools to become impactful blocker in run-game
• 4.11 second shuttle (79th percentile)

Draft Projection: 4th-5th