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The Los Angeles Rams have lost their top two receivers, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, to injuries that will require multi-week absences. Nacua was ruled out in Week 1 with a PCL injury and placed on injured reserve, and Kupp suffered an ankle injury in Week 2. Both will be out for a minimum of two more games.
Cooper Kupp
Video looked like high ankle sprain. Projected timeline almost confirms this.
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Avg time missed is 5 weeks.
Upon return NFL WRs are far less impacted compared to RBs in terms of fans has production (chart below shows % change next 3 games upon return @Footballguys pic.twitter.com/dG6lOQgcll
— Adam Hutchison (@TheRealAdam_H) September 16, 2024
Kupp has been considered for IR, but the Rams haven't made a decision yet, and he's 31 years old with a high-ankle sprain, so it's more likely than not that he misses at least three total weeks. It's also been rumored that Nacua's return timeline could be over four total weeks from his injury.
From @NFLGameDay: #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey may need as much as 6 weeks to heal from his Achilles tendinitis, a frustrating injury; Meanwhile, #Rams WR Puka Nacua (PCL) could remain on the sidelines until Week 9. pic.twitter.com/zFiWNnGOdZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 15, 2024
This makes the decision of which Rams receiver to pick up on the waiver wire an important one. Let's dive into who the best choice is.
Tyler Johnson Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Outlook
Outside of one long gain fueled by YAC in Week 1, Johnson hasn't made much of an impact this season. While Atwell and Whittington haven't either, Johnson played 87% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 2 and was only targeted three times. He's played most of the snaps since Nacua went down.
Johnson and fellow WR Demarcus Robinson appear to be locks for full-time roles, so it's curious that Johnson hasn't seen more looks. It's tough to recommend a player who played so many snaps yet saw so few opportunities. Generally, though, it's better not to bet on a player who's been middling his whole career despite opportunities.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Weeks 1+2 receiving breakdown@FantasyPtsData Expected points:WR1 - Cooper Kupp
WR28 - Demarcus Robinson
WR52 - Tyler Johnson
TE28 - Colby ParkinsonHow are the Rams going to replace a FIFTY percent first-read target rate? My guess is more running. Tyler… pic.twitter.com/W0XSTDsLte
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) September 19, 2024
Usually it's better to lean into the unknown with upside than the known that's... well, known to not have much upside, and Johnson fits into the second category. He's probably not worth a pickup.
Jordan Whittington Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Outlook
Whittington is easily the most exciting of the group. While rookies tend to get off to slow starts, the Rams don't have the choice to ease him in anymore. He'll be thrust into a big role, and by all accounts, he's ready. Whittington is an excellent blocker and plays with his hair on fire, which is one of the most prominent traits Nacua displayed.
Jordan Whittington is the micro-edge Sean McVay needs.
As much as Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson are solid veterans, they have no upside.
Playing Whittington, who can run the ball (TD called back Week 1), is the Puka clone needed by the Rams.
— Brian Drake (@DrakeFantasy) September 14, 2024
The Rams love the level of effort Whittington provides and are no strangers to promoting rookie wide receivers to prominent roles in the offense (see Nacua in Week 1 of 2023). Whittington is easily the most talented of the three receivers in this article. In addition, good blockers see the field a lot.
You only throw a 3rd down & long screen if you have a good blocker in front.#Texas loves having veteran WR Jordan Whittington block. A great example here for #HookEm pic.twitter.com/BbidMEt3Ms
— Noah Gross (@noah_gross27) September 23, 2023
Whittington had a potential rushing touchdown called back in Week 1 over a holding penalty. He should be used more as a gadget player as well.
Tutu Atwell Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Outlook
Atwell is the least interesting of the Rams wide receivers for fantasy football right now. He played eight percent of the snaps in Week 1 and, despite Kupp's injury, had just 19% of the snaps in Week 2. Atwell hasn't seen the field much, and though he'll have an increased role, it doesn't appear it'll be impactful.
This is in contrast to Johnson, who was on the field for a huge number of snaps in Week 2, and Whittington, who played all the snaps after Kupp exited the game.
Three of Tutu Atwell's 10 snaps were during the two minute drill when Cooper Kupp was healthy (Atwell replaced D. Robinson).
Atwell only came on to replace Tyler Johnson or Robinson for his final seven snaps.
Jordan Whittington never came off the field after Kupp was injured. https://t.co/cd0sJtHczG
— Zareh Kantzabedian (@ZKantzFF) September 17, 2024
Atwell doesn't even have the playing time to be fantasy-relevant yet, and it looks like that won't change for now, so he can be left on waivers.
Should I Pick Up Tyler Johnson, Jordan Whittington, or Tutu Atwell?
Whittington is the clear choice. Leaning into the unknown when the upside of the known players isn't very high is the right move. Whittington has shown great talent both as a pass-catcher and a blocker, was on the field for every snap after Kupp went down, and despite low production, appears to be the next man up after Robinson.
His production wasn't all that important in a blowout game against the Cardinals, and often, it's better to pay more attention to usage. Even Johnson had some of his snaps spelled by Atwell in the second half.
Pick up Whittington off waivers over Johnson or Atwell.
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