WOODLAND HILLS — After Tuesday’s practice, with the dust settled from the announcement of the initial 53-man roster, Rams head coach Sean McVay spoke about the excitement he has for this year’s wide receiver group.
In particular, he praised second-year wideout Xavier Smith and rookie Konata Mumpfield, and said of the group as a whole, “Top to bottom, this is as good of a six we’ve had.”
After Wednesday’s jog-through, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur reiterated that sentiment. While he’s been with the Rams for the last three years, he has 12 years of coaching experience in the league, and agreed that this wide receiver group is the deepest he’s been a part of on paper.
“Obviously you know you got your three with Davante [Adams], Tutu [Atwell] and Puka [Nacua]. Something happens, the show goes on,” LaFleur said. “These three [Mumpfield, Smith and Jordan Whittington] are more than capable of going out there, running our offense, doing a lot of the same things we’re going to ask the starters to do, they can do. So that’s going to be huge too for Sean [McVay] within a play call, ‘Hey this guy’s out. Oh well, we’re calling what we think is best for this defense at this moment.’ It’s pretty neat and it’s a good group to have.”
LaFleur also specifically complimented Smith, who played a total of 161 snaps on special teams and 33 snaps on offense last year for the Rams.
LaFleur and McVay said Smith has grown stronger mentally and physically and earned not only his spot on special teams, but on the offensive side of the ball when his number is called.
“It’s a testament to Xavier Smith as a human and a worker,” LaFleur said. “In my opinion, he looks as athletic as he ever has, he looks as strong as he ever has. I think he’s mentally as strong as he ever has. So when he has the opportunities on those Sundays, whether it be in the return game, other special teams or at receiver, you’re not going to flinch. You’re just going to believe that he’s going to get stuff done. I have a lot of respect for him.”
NOTES
The Rams announced their 15-man practice squad on Wednesday afternoon, which includes six rookies and two players with four years of experience – cornerback A.J. Green and running back Ronnie Rivers.
All 15 players that signed with the practice squad participated in the Rams’ training camp, and were waived Tuesday to meet the required 53-player roster limit.
Rivers has spent the past three seasons with the Rams, and provides added comfort for the offensive coaching staff with his past experience playing meaningful snaps.
“It’s such a benefit … Ronnie’s played good football for us dating back to 2022 when he was here and ’23,” LeFleur said. “And doing what he did in the playoff game versus Detroit and had some big plays and stuff.
Here is the full list of the players signed to the practice squad:
A.J. Arcuri, OL (Michigan State)
Wyatt Bowles, OL (Utah State)
Tru Edwards, WR (Louisiana Tech)
Jack Heflin, DE (Iowa)
A.J. Green, CB (Oklahoma State)
Tanner Ingle, S (N.C. State)
Cam Lampkin, CB (Washington State)
Dylan McMahon, OL (N.C. State)
Jamil Muhammad, OLB (USC)
Elias Neal, ILB (Marshall)
Bill Norton, DL (Texas)
Brennan Presley, WR (Oklahoma State)
Ronnie Rivers, RB (Fresno State)
Cody Schrader, RB (Missouri)
Nate Valcarcel, S (Northern Illinois)