The Los Angeles Rams are heading into tonight’s game against the Denver Broncos with a massive hole in their receiving corps. Puka Nacua, a key piece of their offense, is very likely out, leaving L.A. with a serious question mark for what’s sure to be a tough matchup.
Adams Has To Go Off, But Can He?
Sure, the Rams rolled over the New York Giants 28-6 in Week 2, racking up 481 yards. Davante Adams put on a receiving master class, arguably his best performance as a Ram. That was great, no doubt. But tonight? They’re taking a serious step up in class. The Broncos are bringing a high-tier tandem of cornerbacks in Patrick Surtain and Riley Moss. So, the biggest question isn’t just who steps up, it’s whether Adams can *really* stack a run of dominating outings.
Expect the ball to be fed to him early and often. It has to be. But if Nacua’s absence means Adams gets double-teamed by those top-tier corners, who else is even going to get open?
The Other Guys: Who’s Actually Ready For Prime Time?
After Adams, the Rams’ roster doesn’t exactly scream “definitive answer” for Nacua’s void. But there are possibilities, right?
Let’s look at the hot topics:
- Tutu Atwell: This guy makes the most sense to step in as WR#2. He’s got speed that makes defenses account for him, has shown good hands, and looks like a polished route runner. The hang-up? His stature limits him at the catch point in contested situations and when throws aren’t perfect. Didn’t Sean McVay used to prefer experienced guys over youngsters? This is a test. We even saw a sweet clip of him getting busy at the top of the stem, so the potential’s there.
- Jordan Whittington: He missed the Giants game, but practiced a couple days ago and is expected to play. Back in 2024, in the only two games where he saw five or more targets, he caught 13 of 18. That’s solid! But since then, in 35 active games, he’s only been targeted 30 times. The special teams work might keep him too banged up to be a go-to receiver.
- Konata Mumpfield: He’s been active in every regular season game of his career, 19 games and 434 snaps. He’s been targeted 26 times, catching 11 of those for a 42.3 catch percentage. Honestly, making a case for him to suddenly be a featured part of the offense is almost impossible.
- Xavier Smith: He’s provided value, sure, but he’s lost his shine for me. He’s got speed, but he needs a runway to get going. The burst just isn’t there. His hands have been serviceable, but not reeling in that red zone pass last week, even if it was a tad off, feels like par for his course. He’s a value-based backup.
- CJ Daniels: He hasn’t been active in the first two weeks. If Whittington is good to go, Daniels is likely the odd man out again.
- Terrance Ferguson: Don’t sleep on the tight end. After the Giants win, Ferguson appears on the cusp of a breakout as the Rams’ TE #1. Maybe he gets more looks.
Tonight, with Nacua out and those elite Broncos corners waiting, the Rams’ receiver room is going to be under the microscope. Can Adams elevate his game even further? Can Atwell or Whittington finally break out? The Rams will find out fast if they have enough firepower to keep rolling against a much tougher opponent.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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