The Los Angeles Rams have become one of the league’s best identifiers of wide receiver talent. This regime drafted Cooper Kupp in the 3rd round and Puka Nacua in the 5th round, in addition to multiple high-quality role players like Tutu Atwell, Van Jefferson, Josh Reynolds, and Ben Skoronek. So, when the Rams added Jordan Whittington in last year’s draft, people took notice of the Texas receiver who was buried on the Longhorns’ depth chart.
According to offensive coordinator Mike Lafleur, people were right to see potential in the 6th-rounder.
“I thought last year as a rookie we put him in a lot of situations that you wouldn’t necessarily put in rookies,” LaFleur said. “We moved him around. He’s a very smart dude. He cares about this game a lot. He’s freaking awesome for Chase [Blackburn] and the special teams. He’s playing good enough at receiver that you wouldn’t need to throw him out there at special teams, but he’s too valuable for them as well. He’s a huge, vital piece for our football team.”
The Los Angeles Rams Will Ride With Jordan Whittington
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Whittington continued his impressive stretch on Saturday, hauling in a deep ball from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo that drew cheers from the crowd. After practice, Rams head coach Sean McVay offered strong praise for the 2024 sixth-round pick.
“He’s got the ability to play all three spots,” McVay said. “He can really compete in the run game, and I think he’s really continuing to increase his route volume. He’s played really well.”
McVay doubled down on his appreciation for the young receiver, saying: “We love J-Whitt.”
While the prevailing narrative is that Whittington is currently battling Tutu Atwell and Xavier Smith for the No. 3 receiver job, at this point in camp, it has been about identifying when and where the Rams will deploy these three.
While the Rams gave Atwell a one-year extension this offseason, Whittington’s physicality and versatility have made him a standout in training camp.
What sticks out most with this dude is just flat out tough mentally and physically,” LaFleur continued, “You’ll ride with guys like Jordan Whittington.”
From Texas to L.A.: A Versatile Talent
Whittington’s rise began long before he arrived in Los Angeles. A five-star recruit out of Cuero, Texas, Whittington played multiple positions in high school before settling into a wide receiver role at Texas. He started 25 of 41 games for the Longhorns and posted back-to-back seasons with over 40 receptions and 500 yards.
“Coach McVay and the Rams are going to absolutely love Jordan Whittington,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said after the draft. “He’ll be a do-it-all player on the field and in the community for LA. … He’s carried himself like a pro for us, has a bright future in the NFL, and will be a great addition to the LA Rams.”
So far, Sarkisian’s prediction is holding up.
2024 Production and Flashes of Promise
In his rookie season, Whittington caught 22 of 28 targets for 293 yards and 14 first downs, averaging 13.3 yards per reception. His best stretch came in Weeks 4 and 5, when both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were sidelined. He caught six passes for 62 yards against the Bears, then followed it with a seven-catch, 89-yard outing versus the Packers.
While his offensive snaps declined once the Rams’ top targets returned, Whittington carved out a role on special teams, serving as the team’s primary kickoff returner. He racked up 208 special teams snaps, collecting 453 return yards, including a long of 43.
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