The Rams undeniably have one of the NFL’s best wide receiving duos, putting their offense in prime position for more success in 2024 after a surprising 2023.
Heading into Week 1 against the Lions, the team they fell to in last year's wild-card round, the top end of the Rams’ receiving room is tough to beat with Kupp and Nacua.
Each has put up at least one flat-out dominant season catching the football, with Nacua’s coming in 2023 as a rookie. However, Los Angeles has some depth at the position, as well, which could be beneficial in 2024 if one of its stars happens to go down with an injury.
Here’s a look at the Rams’ receiving depth chart entering the new season.
WEEK 1 NFL: Power rankings | ATS picks | SU picks
Rams WR depth chart
Starters
- Cooper Kupp
- Puka Nacua
- Demarcus Robinson
Kupp, the Super Bowl LVI MVP, enters 2024 still with the undisputed WR1-type talent that helped him secure the first receiving triple crown (receptions, yards & TDs) in 16 years back in 2021.
However, at this stage in his career, the 31-year-old comes along with some injury concerns. In 2023, Kupp missed five games — which, in part, led to the birth of Nacua’s stardom — and in 2022, he missed eight.
Last season, Kupp racked up 737 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games, proving he's still one of the league’s best route runners.
Cooper Kupp is shift team certified 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jDkzozOzXT
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) August 23, 2024
Nacua exploded for the NFL’s rookie receiving record last season with 1,486 yards. He was named to PFF’s top 25 players under 25 in the offseason. At some points, he's capable of being the team’s go-to receiver; at other times, Kupp will be the leading pass catcher, assuming both stay healthy.
Having a pair of lead receivers is a good problem to have for the Rams, especially considering the potential for injuries between the two stars.
Nacua has had some small injury concerns entering the season, but was healthy for the entirety of 2023, playing in all 12 games Kupp was also available in. Having both can be both a luxury for Los Angeles and a cushion if one misses time.
Cooper Kupp vs. Puka Nacua stats in games played together last season
| Cooper Kupp | Game | Puka Nacua |
| 8-118-0 (12 targets) | Week 5 vs. PHI | 7-71-1 (11 targets) |
| 7-148-1 (9 targets) | Week 6 vs. ARI | 4-26-0 (7 targets) |
| 2-29-0 (7 targets) | Week 7 vs. PIT | 8-154-0 (12 targets) |
| 4-21-0 (10 targets) | Week 8 @ DAL | 3-43-0 (7 targets) |
| 2-48-0 (7 targets) | Week 9 @ GB | 3-32-0 (7 targets) |
| 1-11-0 (1 target)* | Week 11 vs. SEA | 5-70-1 (7 targets) |
| 3-18-0 (5 targets) | Week 12 @ ARI | 4-27-0 (8 targets) |
| 6-39-1 (8 targets) | Week 13 vs. CLE | 4-105-1 (7 targets) |
| 8-115-1 (10 targets) | Week 14 @ BAL | 5-84-0 (9 targets) |
| 8-111-1 (8 targets) | Week 15 vs. WAS | 5-50-0 (8 targets) |
| 6-52-0 (12 targets) | Week 16 vs. NO | 9-164-1 (11 targets) |
| 4-27-1 (6 targets) | Week 17 @ NYG | 5-118-0 (8 targets) |
| 59-737-5 (95 targets) | TOTALS | 62-944-4 (102 targets) |
* Kupp left in second quarter after injuring ankle
Robinson, L.A.'s third starter, is a nine-year veteran who spent six years in Kansas City. He posted 371 yards for the Rams last year. Down the stretch, he became more valuable. Robinson had 319 of those yards in December alone, solidifying his status as the team’s WR3 in 2024.
Outside of the wide receivers, in the tight end room, Colby Parkinson is set to begin the season as Sean McVay’s starter, with Tyler Higbee beginning the year on the PUP list.
Top backups
- Tutu Atwell
- Tyler Johnson
- Jordan Whittington
Due to the high volume that Kupp and Nacua receive, the Rams’ non-starters likely won’t make as much of an impact as other teams’ bench receivers typically do. Matthew Stafford is known for feeding his top receiving options, including Calvin Johnson back when he was with the Lions, Kupp in his record-breaking 2021 season, and Nacua last season.
However, Atwell will continue to be a solid fill-in piece for the Rams. He’s been with the team for three seasons already, and has had big games in the past, including a 119-yard outing in Week 1 last year.
Atwell has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate, but for the time being, he provides Los Angeles with a strong WR4.
Johnson, who had just two receptions in 2023, and Whittington, a rookie out of Texas that’s gotten some preseason hype, fill out the Rams’ top bench receivers.
WEEK 1 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Others
- Xavier Smith
- Drake Stoops
- Sam Wiglusz
The remaining three names, Smith, Stoops and Wiglusz, likely won’t be very involved on the field for Los Angeles this season. All three are rookies.
Assuming they remain on the roster through Week 1, the trio finishes out the team’s receiving room. Smith had 101 receiving yards in the preseason, Stoops had 55 and Wiglusz had 36.
