Rams’ Third-Round Wide Receiver Will Be Key to a Week 7 Win
The Los Angeles Rams (1-4) are back on the field following a Week 6 bye. The Rams face a Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) roster fresh off trading receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets. The Raiders are also potentially missing star defensive lineman Maxx Crosby, who only practiced in a limited capacity on Friday. Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp’s potential return from an ankle sprain is key to determining their Sunday odds.
Kupp’s Status and Impact
Kupp has yet to fully practice this week. However, his limited participation could just be a sign of the team taking it slow. Head coach Sean McVay is exercising caution to the idea of playing the 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year and is officially listed as questionable. Kupp will be a game-time decision Sunday morning, but the Rams need him now more than ever.
Since winning Super Bowl LVI, the Rams are 6-10 without Kupp. Two wins came last season when wide receiver Puka Nacua had his rookie breakout and was the alpha of the Rams offense. Nacua, who broke the rookie record for receiving yards in 2023, also missed most of this season due to injury, and his return is unclear.
Kupp’s impact on Los Angeles’ offense cannot be overstated. His route-running, understanding of McVay’s offense, and ability to read defenses are what earned him a contract worth $80 million in 2022. In his only fully healthy appearance this season, he caught 14 passes for 110 yards, scoring one touchdown.
Kupp’s presence on Sunday is significant enough to tip the scales against Las Vegas. With the Raiders potentially missing important defenders like Crosby and cornerback Jack Jones, the more weapons, the merrier.
The Jordan Whittington Angle
While Kupp’s activity is important to monitor, there is another key Rams receiver this week.
The rest of the Rams receiving corps has yet to produce a reliable primary wide receiver. However, rookie Jordan Whittington looks the most promising and is seeing an increased role. Whittington led the wide receivers last week, recording seven catches on 10 targets against the Green Bay Packers.
Whittington can be an effective number two option next to Kupp, with his increased workload showing the team’s trust in him. His 201 receiving yards in five weeks is the third-most by a day-three draft pick since 2000. Since 2014, Whittington is the third Rams rookie to record at least three receptions for 15 or more yards. The last two? Kupp and Nacua.
Compared to other rookies, Whittington ranks fourth in Pro Football Focus’ offensive grade and receiving grade with 76.8 and 71.4, respectively. In an extremely deep and effective receiver class featuring the likes of Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison Jr., Whittington’s performance is all the more impressive.
The Defense
The Rams’ best asset continues to be the defensive line and the young players on it. Rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske still lead all rookies in pressures, with 20 and 15, respectively. Verse earned September’s Defensive Rookie of the Month. The former Florida State Seminole also leads rookies with a 24% pressure rate, outpacing Seattle’s Byron Murphy II, who has 15%.
Across from Verse is defensive tackle Kobe Turner, who played his best game in Week 5. Against the Packers, Turner sacked quarterback Jordan Love twice and tallied a season-high six tackles. His pair of first half sacks marked the first mutli-sack half of his career. With Verse, Fiske, and Turner up front against a weaker offensive line missing key pieces, the Rams pass rush should add to their sack total.
To conclude, Sunday is a must win game if the Rams have any hope of a positive season. With Kupp’s potential comeback on the horizon, quarterback Matthew Stafford can gain his favorite target back, and the offense can regain its heart.
Main Image: Gary A. Vasquez – USA Today Sports
