Rams have some tall targets for Stafford this year…

LA Rams have some tall targets for Matthew Stafford this year

[ramblinfan.com]

by Bret Stuter

The LA Rams loaded up small but speedy and swift receivers for the 2021 NFL season. The Rams signed free agent veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who stands 5-foot-10 but runs a blazing 4.35-second 40-yard dash. The team drafted rookie wide receiver Tutu Atwell, who stands 5-foot-9 but runs an even faster 4.32-second 40-yard dash.

But plans sometimes go awry, and that seems to have been the case for the Rams’ offensive intentions. By mid-season, the LA Rams had a mighty but sparse impact from Jackson, who demanded to be released due to the lack of use in the team’s offense. The Rams got next to nothing in terms of offensive benefit in the 2021 NFL season from Atwell.

The Rams were forced to promote 6-foot-3 rookie wide receiver, Ben Skowronek, and the results were promising. While he struggle to find the handle, catching only 55 percent of the passes thrown his way, he was a surprisingly open receiver, at least in terms of attracting passes from veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Now armed with that information, we believe that the Rams will attempt to offer up an assortment of big receiver packages at times. No, not at the exclusion of 6-foot-2 wide receiver Cooper Kupp or 6-foot-2 wide receiver Allen Robinson. But rather as complimentary packages, perhaps in the Red Zone, where a jump ball can translate quickly into a touchdown.

Do the Rams have a height advantage to send onto the football field? Well, curiously, it seems that they do right now:

Posn Player Ht Wt 40-yard dash
TE Kendall Blanton 6-foot-6 262-pounds 4.95-sec
TE Tyler Higbee 6-foot-6 255-pounds 4.62-sec
WR Warren Jackson 6-foot-6 219-pounds 4.72-sec
TE/WR Jacob Harris 6-foot-5 211-pounds 4.40-sec
The Rams have four players who stand at least 6-foot-5 or higher and are receiving targets, and all but one – WR Warren Jackson – are expected to have significant roles in the offense this season.

While we have yet to see indications from the coaching staff regarding the status of WR Warren Jackson, the potential for this offense to have four eligibles at a height of 6-foot-5 or higher is huge (pun intended). Even if Jackson struggles in his attempt to claim a roster spot, the Rams will almost certainly find ways to involve Jacob Harris this year.

The LA Rams will be looking for new ways to score this year. A few strategic skyscrapers as receiving targets could be one way to innovate the offense for the 2022 NFL season.