The St. Louis Rams are hoping that Nick Foles can bring some much need stability to the quarterback position. If he can and 2015 goes well, the Rams will likely try to provide him with some additional weapons next season. No disrespect to St. Louis' current group of pass catchers, but how explosive can your offense be when your leading receiver managed just 748 yards?
No, the Rams need a talented, young wide receiver that can be a go-to weapon for Foles (or whoever is under center). They may be able to get that guy in the 2016 NFL Draft. ESPN and Football Outsiders project the Rams to finish 6-10 this season, securing the No. 8 overall pick. Record predictions this far in advance rarely end up being correct but if it is, ESPN Insider Todd McShay has St. Louis selecting Auburn wide receiver Duke Williams.
"Williams established himself as a big-play threat in his first season at Auburn after transferring from junior college, averaging 16.2 yards per reception on 45 catches," McShay wrote. "He needs to improve his consistency, but he has the physical tools (he's 6-2, 224 pounds) to be a very good NFL receiver."
The Rams had been linked to wide receiver prospects such as Louisville's DeVante Parker and UCF's Breshad Perriman in the weeks leading up to this year's draft. Ultimately, they decided to focus on the ground game and selected Georgia running back Todd Gurley.
Will St. Louis address the wide receiver position next season? Williams is an attractive prospect, as is Ole Miss' Laquon Treadwell and Pittsburgh's Tyler Boyd. As of now, the Rams lack a true No. 1 receiver. Stedman Bailey and Brian Quick are solid complimentary pieces and Kenny Britt isn't a long-term answer.
Things can change very quickly in the NFL and the Rams have a lot of good building blocks in place. But the WR position remains an area of weakness.
