As training camp rolls on, the Los Angeles Rams are still trying to sort out who will get the majority of the reps as the team’s No. 3 receiver. It’s trending toward being a committee approach with so many options on the table, but it’s not as if Sean McVay will divide up the snaps equally this season.
Matthew Stafford was asked about the Rams’ wideouts aside from Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and he’s been pleased with their growth. He highlighted two guys who have gotten most of the opportunities with the first-team offense, complimenting Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield for their play in training camp.
"I think everybody's done a nice job,” Stafford said. “We have done a really great job as an offense rotating guys in. Obviously, the
majority of the reps that I'm having are with [Nacua and Adams]. I think 'J-Whitt' has done a hell of a job when he has been in there. 'Mump' is doing a great job too. Those are the guys that have taken the majority of the reps with me. A little bit of the 'X-Man' [Xavier Smith] as well.”
Playing wide receiver in the Rams offense isn’t easy. There are a lot of routes to run and plays to digest, while also having to run block when Stafford hands the ball off. Stafford knows how much the Rams ask of their receivers, and he’s seen all of them rise to the occasion.
“All those guys [are] continuing to grow in our offense,” he said. “We have a challenging offense mentally, physically, all of it. We ask those guys to go in and compete with the football, but also without the football and block. I think they've done a nice job of that and being able to be where you're supposed to be and compete. Those guys have risen to the level that we need them to and just continue to get better. It's been good."
Whittington looks to be the favorite at WR3, though his skill set is more specialized than someone like Mumpfield. Whittington is a good blocker, a quality ball carrier and is tough as nails. Mumpfield, meanwhile, is a more traditional wide receiver who can sub in and play on the outside when Nacua or Adams comes off the field.
Smith can be the speedster that he was last year, and then there’s CJ Daniels, the rookie from Miami. Stafford didn’t mention him by name, but he’s been a bright spot in camp and seemingly catches everything thrown his way.
It’s not the most established group of backups, but there’s plenty of potential beyond Nacua and Adams.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Matthew Stafford talks Rams' WR3 spot, names camp standouts
