There are a lot of rumors circulating around the intentions of the Los Angeles Rams and the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Many believe the Rams will use the pick to find a wide receiver who can add to the offense this season, while eventually succeeding Davante Adams as the team’s outside threat.
Names like Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, Omar Cooper Jr., and such have come up as options for the team. However, I don’t think that’s the approach Los Angeles will take. I believe we are looking at the Rams’ succession plan for Davante Adams through the wrong lens. The Rams aren’t looking to replace Adams; they’re looking to replace Puka Nacua, and here’s why.
If Cooper Kupp were fully healthy and back to his 2021 form, he would still be a Ram, and there’s a chance Adams never comes to Los Angeles. The Rams waited until it was beyond a doubt that Kupp’s best days were behind him before moving on. The reason is that Kupp is one of the NFL’s greatest space interpreters.
However, you can’t force a team to play zone coverage, which gives space for Kupp to interpret. That’s why the Rams always tried to add man-coverage beaters like Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, and Odell Beckham Jr., forcing the opposition to run zone.
Nacua is supposed to be that guy. Strong, physical, sure-handed. He’s one of the best. However, he’s also really good at exploiting zone coverage and naturally took over Kupp’s role. So in theory, the Rams are trying to find a replacement for Adams that forces defenses to run zone, as Adams remains one of the best man-coverage beaters in football. That’s what the national media believes.
I think the Rams believe Nacua can become that player that Adams is, especially now that he has all of Adams’ leverage tricks in his back pocket and the Rams need a zone beater who is fast and can make plays with the ball. Considering the Rams also have Adams’ red zone contributions covered with Konata Mumpfield and Terrance Ferguson, it’s my belief they will select USC’s Makai Lemon to be that Kupp-esque zone beater. That would give Nacua the ability to use outside matchups to the Rams’ benefit, while the Rams use Nacua’s dominance to force defenses into playing man.
Why are the Rams proceeding with this direction? This theory comes from the Rams’ refusal to put a timeline on Matthew Stafford’s career. I don’t think the Rams believe Stafford is close to retirement, and I don’t think Stafford is close either. His arm may go, what’s left of his mobility may suffer, but his mind is sharp, and Lemon allows the Rams to flourish with an aging Stafford by controlling the pen. Stafford is able to dissect coverages and target holes, with Lemon finding them after Nacua sets them up.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams might have an alternative Davante Adams succession plan
Reporting by Brock Vierra, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
