Adams joins the Rams after a trying 2024 campaign split between the Jets and Raiders in which he eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving for a fifth straight year and caught eight touchdowns, but logged his fewest receptions (85) since 2019.
Nacua, who played in 11 games due to injuries, only trailed Adams’ catch total by six and receiving yardage by 73, and he outperformed Adams during a shocking rookie breakout when he posted a 105/1,486/6 line, but the 2023 fifth-rounder nonetheless feels he has much to glean from watching his veteran teammate’s game up close.
Even heading into his age-33 season, Adams remains one of the trickiest wideouts to read and slow down off the line. He could perhaps show every pass catcher in the league a thing or two about footwork at the snap or at the top of the route. It therefore makes perfect sense that’s the area Nacua spotlighted when asked what he hopes to learn from Adams.
“Route running,” Nacua said. “His ability to change pace while he’s moving on the football field, the ability to win against negative leverage, his suddenness at the line of scrimmage, it’s fantastic to see. And to be able to see it in person and be lining up right next to him, it makes sure you have all the gas turned on when you’re going out there with No. 17.”
Adams and Nacua will hopefully make each other better throughout the season as the Rams look to build on last year after surging late and reaching the NFC Divisional Round. Those two are far and away L.A.’s top receiving threats, certainly more of a 1A and 1B than Adams leading the way as Nacua humbly stated.
Behind them, the talent and pecking order is a little murkier, with the speedy Atwell, Jordan Whittington, free-agent signee Britain Covey and seventh-round rookie Konata Mumpfield rounding out the depth chart ahead of a handful of undrafted rookies and inexperienced options.
How they all mesh for Stafford will be pivotal to another hopeful playoff run.
Nacua, Adams and Co. begin that quest when they report to training camp on July 22, something the Rams’ third-year star is very much looking forward to.
“I can’t wait to see the guys,” Nacua said. “I just want to see Matthew Stafford spin it. That’s my favorite part of the day. As soon as that first practice comes out and you see that ball spinning right, I’m like, ah, things will be well in the world.”
