Waldman on Reynolds and other Rams WRs

Los Angeles Rams WR Josh Reynolds: The team added a bunch of receivers last year and only one of them had promise of developing into a strong route runner. This year, the Rams added players with a lot more route-running promise in Reynolds and Cooper Kupp. Reynolds is a highly flexible athlete who drops his weight well into his breaks. He already gets good depth on his stems and breaks back to the ball. It sounds simple, but rarely do receivers have this skill before they earn a couple of years of professional training. Reynolds does, and he’s excellent at the catch point. It means he can be a strong target in a precision passing game and a rebounder deep, which takes some pressure off Jared Goff. Not a highly recruited receiver, Reynolds had to earn his opportunity at Texas A&M, which will mesh well with Goff, who had receivers ignore his requests to work with them. Reynolds is both an underrated option and a good fit. Reynolds is seen as a fourth-round pick, I’d take him in the third to make sure I get him.

Reynolds drops his some easier targets, but he makes all kinds of catches, and he's a better route runner than characterized. Even with the steady diet of drops, Reynolds is as good as any in this class at the catch point on "big boy" plays that define primary NFL options. He has the potential to become the best receiver for the Rams since Torry Holt retired. The bigger factor is the play of Jared Goff and this offensive line. Keep expectations lower than Reynolds talent merits because this team is experiencing a massive transition and Goff's difficult beginning make Reynolds a higher risk despite his underrated skills.

The Rams have Austin signed through 2022, but have a potential out in 2019 without any dead cap money. Woods' injuries cost him a second deal and should be a better fit in LA. Reynolds has route skills that should develop well and he has big-play ability as a perimeter threat. He complements Woods and Kupp well in theory. Cooper is a ball carrier and pass catcher, but route running needs work. Austin, Cooper, and Marquez are all slot types with special team’s prowess. Spruce is a good route runner but lacks speed. North has primary WR athletic and pass catching tools but is slow to recognize coverage and low on technique. Wilson is a special team’s guy. McRoberts has ball skills, but lacks a great athletic profile. Technique is lacking.

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~ max ~
“The consciousness of good intentions disdains ambiguity.” - Alexander Hamilton



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/2017 03:46AM by max.