After the Los Angeles Rams made it known that they were moving on from Cooper Kupp, they didn’t waste much time finding a replacement. Before free agency began, they struck a deal with Davante Adams, a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro.
By pairing Adams with Puka Nacua, the Rams made sure they’d continue to have an outstanding wide receiver tandem at the top of the depth chart. On paper, the Nacua-Adams duo looks like one of the best in the NFL. They have the potential to each go over 1,000 yards receiving, especially if Matthew Stafford can stay healthy.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently ranked the best wide receiver duos after the Cowboys added George Pickens and the Rams’ pairing cracked the top 10, coming in at No. 5.
Here’s part of what Knox wrote about Nacua and Adams.
With Matthew Stafford behind center and Sean McVay calling the offense, Adams should seamlessly step in for Cooper Kupp as L.A.’s 1A receiver opposite Nacua.
Nacua and Kupp helped the Rams rank 10th in both passing yards and net yards per attempt last season. Los Angeles’ new tandem is extremely likely to have similar success as long as injuries don’t become a factor.
Adams said in March that it’s going to be a “hell of a test” for opposing defenses to contain him and Nacua, knowing just how great he and Garrett Wilson were last season in New York.
“I had the pleasure of playing with Garrett Wilson out there in New York last year, similar to that situation, we go play in Miami and Jalen doesn’t know if he’s going to go with him or go with me,” Adams said. “If you want to follow one or follow the other, either way you’re going to pay. It’s going to be difficult. We actually have to put the work in and do everything that’s going to lead to us having that success, but on paper, it’s definitely going to be a hell of a test for the opposition.”
Adams has had at least 1,000 yards in each of his last five seasons and he’s finished with at least 885 yards in nine of his 11 years in the NFL. He’s also scored at least eight touchdowns in eight of his last nine seasons, including a league-high 18 in 2020 and 14 in 2022.
Nacua had 1,486 yards as a rookie in 2023 and though he finished just shy of 1,000 last season, he actually averaged more yards per game (90.0) in Year 2 than he did his prior season. It’s just that injuries limited him to 11 games.
If everyone on offense can avoid injuries and stay healthy, the Rams are going to be dangerous.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Where do Puka Nacua and Davante Adams rank among NFL’s best WR duos?
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
