After winning the Super Bowl championship in the 2021 season, the Los Angeles Rams did very poorly in 2022, and many expected they would have another dismal season in 2023.
Instead, they surprised just about everyone by winning 10 games, making the playoffs and nearly upsetting the Detroit Lions in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
Now there are those who feel the Rams have at least an outside shot of finishing first in the NFC West, and Steve Wyche said on NFL Network that their wide receiver room is going to be elite.
.@wyche89 believes the @RamsNFL receiving core is going to be ELITE next season… here’s why ⬇️ 👀 pic.twitter.com/UcIhw5HmlI
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 20, 2024
While much of the attention when it comes to L.A.’s wideouts is focused on veteran Cooper Kupp and 2023 rookie sensation Puka Nacua, Wyche said rookie Jordan Whittington and Xavier Smith, an undrafted rookie last year, could be diamonds in the rough this year.
The analyst said Smith could make their roster as a returner, but he also highlighted some good work he did in Saturday’s preseason win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Whittington played five years at the University of Texas at Austin, where he totaled 1,757 yards and five receiving touchdowns in 41 games.
Nacua was the big story for the Rams last season after exploding for 105 catches, 1,486 yards and six touchdowns and finishing second in the Offensive Rookie of the Year balloting.
Kupp, meanwhile, has had a couple of rough years after his outstanding 2021 campaign, but if he stays healthy, he could be a candidate for the Pro Bowl.
If quarterback Matthew Stafford stays healthy and continues to play at a high level, the Rams could surprise people once again this fall and winter.