The Los Angeles Rams pulled off one of the least likely wins of Week 3 when they managed to beat the San Francisco 49ers while working through massive injury limitations.
Tutu Atwell turned out to be the answer after earning 93 yards in the contest, but he can’t do it alone consistently.
If the Los Angeles Rams are going to keep afloat, they are going to need a boost to the wide receiver room. Here are three realistic trade targets that could help hold down the fort and help for the rest of the year.
#1 – Sterling Shepard, WR
Sterling Shepard has never been the face of an NFL franchise in the way of most big-name stars, but Shepard offers a veteran presence to boost the Rams’ wide receiver room. His best season of the decade came in 2020 when he earned 656 yards and three touchdowns as a member of the Giants.
He currently is on the Buccaneers’ practice squad, so it wouldn’t cost any extra draft capital to sign him.
Another former Buccaneer, Tyler Johnson, is currently finding success with McVay and the Rams, so Shepard could revitalize his career in LA as well.
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#2 – Amari Cooper, WR
If the Browns continue on their current pace, they are likely to be sellers as the trade deadline approaches. Adding Cooper might be a coin flip as to whether he helps spell Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, but it could make the Rams’ passing attack unfathomably great. Nacua and Kupp have proven that their health is an issue this season.
While the hope is that both receivers can return fully healthy, one has to entertain the possibility that either receiver could run into additional problems later in the season.
Adding Cooper provides a backbone to the receiving core and takes hope for health out of the equation. Cooper has been traded in the middle of the season before.
Additionally, the Browns allowed Odell Beckham Jr. to walk in recent history. The question is whether the Browns will continue to stumble to allow such an exit to take place.
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#3 – Allen Robinson II, WR
Allen Robinson hasn’t been in the spotlight for a long time. However, Robinson knows what it is like to work as a top receiver. If nothing else, he offers the floor of being a decoy in name only. However, he also has some familiarity with Sean McVay’s system, making him a plug-and-play boost for the team.
He struggled with the Los Angeles Rams the last time the two were together, but the problem was he was overhyped. In ten games, he still managed to earn three touchdowns and three games of at least 50 yards. This time around, the Rams know they are getting a depth piece with a short-term starting upside for a few games.
He is currently on the Detroit Lions practice squad, which makes him free to add in terms of draft capital.
His biggest season of the decade came in 2020 when he earned 1250 yards and six touchdowns with the Bears, per Pro Football Reference.