2016-Present

Offseason 2017: The L.A. Rams should target these five wide receivers

Oct 23, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Los Angeles Rams receiver Kenny Britt (18) is defended by New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins (20) during game 16 of the NFL International Series at Twickenham Statdium. The Giants defeated the Rams 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Much of the blame for the 2016 Los Angeles Rams’ 4-12 disaster can be directly attributed to the offense. With the offense averaging a league-worst 14 points per game, it is easy to see why the Rams failed to meet every expectation for their first year back in L.A. Wide receiver is possibly the most important positional need on the team’s offseason to-do list. Here are five potential targets for the Rams at the wide receiver entering free agency.

DeSean Jackson

One name that quickly pops out is DeSean Jackson. Playing for the Washington Redskins in 2016, the former Cal standout was instrumental in helping his team become one of the more potent offenses in the NFL. Despite Washington narrowly missing the playoffs at 8-7-1, the offense was in the top ten in due in part to Jackson. McVay and Jackson spent two seasons together, and bringing him over would be a big boost to the offense. Of course, both he and Jared Goff would have to build a rapport with one another, but a weapon like that could help open up other players at the receiver position. Given McVay’s past with Jackson, and his desire to play in California, this could be a possibility the Rams FO should look at.

Pierre Garcon

The Rams have about $41 million in cap space this offseason, so general manager Les Snead will have some options on the free agent market. Garcon is another receiver that worked with McVay last season and would likely make a near seamless transition for the nine-year veteran. With Kenny Britt being the only last Rams’ receiver to garner over 1000 yards in a year since 2007 (Torry Holt), nabbing one of these receivers could open up opportunities for other players to get more catches next season.

Alshon Jeffery

Alshon Jeffery may be the best wide receiver on the market at the moment, albeit with some risks especially for the amount of money his camp will be asking for, which is in the $10-15 million/year range. Doubts still persist with the veteran receiver after serving a four-game suspension for using PED’s hurt his standing with the Chicago Bears last season. Despite missing one fourth of the season due to that suspension, he still managed to make 52 catches for over 800 yards. A receiver like this could free up Tavon Austin with the attention Jeffery could garner.

Michael Floyd

Given what the former Arizona Cardinals (and probably former New England Patriots) wide receiver went through towards the end of the 2016 season with his DUI arrest, this could be a low-risk, high-reward gamble the Rams should at least take a look at. Floyd’s 6’3” 220-lb frame makes him the ideal prototype for a wide receiver. He came out of Notre Dame with many hopes and expectations, but he hasn’t reached them in his five-year career. Floyd is certain to be a low financial risk for most if not all NFL teams at this point in his career, but should he produce like what was expected of him, Floyd could be a bargain free agent.

Kenny Britt

If you look at the numbers from last season comparing all of the previous four wide receivers on this list, Kenny Britt has about the same or better statistics than all of them. Like it was mentioned earlier, Britt was the first Rams player to record 1,000 receiving yards in nearly a decade. In fact, Pro Football Focus named Britt the best crossing route receiver in 2016. Britt was one of the few positives from the dismal Rams offense last season, easily being the best receiver on the team. Perhaps bringing back the 28-year-old may be the wisest choice of all.

Sources: Tanya Ray Fox, RamsWire, John Kelm, ESPN staff writer, Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, Megan Janetski, azcentral.com, pro-football-reference.com, Elliot Crist, profootballfocus.com, ESPN.com

Martin Cruz is a staff writer for Rams Talk. You can find him on Twitter with the username @MCruz1988.

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