The Rams have already made themselves one of the league’s loudest offseason stories, landing Myles Garret and Trent McDuffie in blockbuster trades to bolster an already loaded roster. Even after those swings, though, there’s still a clear opening for another weapon.
That opening sits at wide receiver.
Los Angeles passed on one in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the depth chart behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams still looks thin. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper sees a clean fit if the Rams decide to keep shopping, naming free-agent wideout Deebo Samuel the “best landing spot” available.
“Deebo Samuel. Best landing spot: Los Angeles Rams,” Popper writes.
“... Sean McVay feels like the perfect coach to get the most of Samuel at this stage. ...
He would not have to shoulder a huge load as a true receiver. Instead, Samuel would fill a role that leans into his strengths as a dangerous ball carrier.”
Samuel is no longer coming off the peak version of himself. During his All-Pro 2021 season with the 49ers, he racked up 1,405 receiving yards on 77 catches with six touchdowns, while also adding 365 rushing yards and eight rushing TDs on 59 carries.
Even so, he still brings real value. In Los Angeles, he wouldn’t need to be the centerpiece. He’d be the third receiver behind Nacua and Adams, with enough touches to matter without being asked to carry the offense.
That’s where the fit gets interesting for the Rams. Samuel could give them a different kind of stress point for defenses, especially on gadget plays and in situations where the ball needs to get into his hands quickly. He’d also give them a far more reliable insurance policy if Nacua or Adams misses time.
Right now, the backup receiver group in Los Angeles would be Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith, and Konata Mumpfield. That’s not exactly a group that inspires a ton of confidence.
Samuel would change that immediately. He’d give the Rams a proven playmaker, better depth behind an older Adams and a Nacua who can be injury-prone at times, and another piece for Sean McVay to deploy in an offense that still has room to get even more dangerous.
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