How much of an impact would first-round wide receiver have for Rams?

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 12: USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) runs up field after a catch during a college football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the USC Trojans on October 12, 2023, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams drafting at the 13th overall pick, the consensus seems to be that they need to draft an impact player at that spot. In terms of position, that player tends to be a wide receiver such as Makai Lemon or Jordyn Tyson.

A wide receiver for the Rams certainly makes sense. Davante Adams is getting older and 2026 could be his final season. Additionally, there is some uncertainty when it comes to Puka Nacua’s future which makes the selection of Lemon more significant.

However, in the realm of 2026, it’s fair to question what impact that player will still have in this offense. With a healthy Adams and focused Nacua, that player is at best the third wide receiver in the pecking order. Last season, the third wide receiver statistically in the offense was Xavier Smith who had 18 catches for 303 yards.

Whether it was due to a lack of talent or a shift in overall philosophy, the Rams moved to more 12 and 13 personnel, dramatically shifting the value of the WR3. Given the Rams’ recent interest in players such as Brock Bowers and Dalton Kincaid, it can be assumed that this was likely a planned shift in philosophy. As teams play more nickel, it makes sense for offenses to get bigger up-front.