The Los Angeles Rams were one drive from making another Super Bowl appearance in the Matthew Stafford era, but the offense wasn’t able to finish.
With an aging Davante Adams currently serving as one of their top two wide receivers, the Rams may be targeting the perfect prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft to grow into Adams’ role.
Will the Rams Prepare for the Future at Receiver?
When Los Angeles chose to let Cooper Kupp walk last offseason after unsuccessfully trying to trade him, they needed to fill that gap in the offense. Enter Adams, with his then-11 years of NFL experience, six consecutive Pro Bowls between the 2017 and 2022 seasons, and over 11,800 receiving yards.
The veteran pass catcher paired better than expected with incumbent star receiver Puka Nacua, hauling in 789 yards and a career-high 14 touchdowns across 14 regular-season games.
Adams is 33 years old, and the chance of him maintaining his 2025 pace is therefore slim. Jacob Infante of PFSN sees a receiver who would fit in perfectly to what the Rams do on offense in Chris Brazzell II out of Tennessee.
“Chris Brazzell II is a 6’5″ serious threat with a freakish combination of size and speed, and he adjusts well to the ball in the air with proper body control and high-pointing ability. He’s raw as a route runner, but the tools are unmatched. His long-term development would fare well with the chance to work under Puka Nacua and Davante Adams in Los Angeles.”
Infante has the Rams addressing their cornerback and offensive tackle situation first, but with the 61st overall pick, Brazzell II would represent the offensive plan for the future. The former Tulane Green Wave receiver would get to be mentored by Adams, learn from Nacua, and produce within a creative Los Angeles passing game.
After a freshman season at Tulane that involved a single reception (11 yards), he led the Green Wave in receiving with 711 yards and five touchdowns. The transfer portal brought Brazzell’s talents to the Tennessee Volunteers, where he played a supporting role in 2024 (333 yards and two touchdowns).
It was 2025 where Brazzell seemed to put it all together and broke the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career while once again leading a team in receiving. He caught 62 passes for 1,017 yards to go along with nine touchdowns in his junior — and final — season in the college ranks.
If the Rams did draft Brazzell, he wouldn’t be entering the league with pressure to immediately produce. Instead he could progress within a well-coached system and catch passes from a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Stafford.
Despite his undeniable talent, Adams won’t play at his 2025 level forever and is slated to become a free agent after next season. Consequently, Brazzell would make that decline and potential exit less of a hindrance to the Rams’ offensive plans.
