Rams UDFA receiver signees face a full room of competition, or do they?

While there has been plenty of post-draft talk about a Los Angeles Rams scheme change for the tight end unit, not much mention has been made of the wide receivers. General Manager Les Snead did his deep tissue work in this area long before the draft, signing free agent Davante Adams and re-signing Tutu Atwell to bolster the corps.

Was that enough?

The L.A. braintrust seems pretty sure of it. Their only draft additions were a Round 7 rookie and three undrafted free agents, Brennan Presley, Mario Williams, and Tru Edwards, this trio being the eventual subject of this piece.

But first a quick look at the current stable.

I’m of the belief that the L.A. receiving room isn’t quite as locked down as the Rams seem to think. Sure, the quartet of Puka Nacua, Adams, Atwell, and Jordan Whittington are a plus start, but realistically, all have had recent injury concerns. Even if all four remain healthy, after them, questions abound.

Punt returner Xavier Smith enters his third season with 33 offensive snaps and 15 returns in 16 games, Quintez Cephus has bounced through five stops since 2020 without distinction, Drake Stoops is likely a coach in training, and Round 7 rookie Konata Mumpfield wasn’t a steal at that draft position, and in fact by his own words, Mumpfield’s father and Rams Senior Personnel Executive Ray Farmer are long-time personal friends.

After the top four, this roster is wide open.

Meet the candidates

Brennan Presley - Oklahoma State 5’ 9” 176 lb. 29 1/4” arms 9 1/2’ hands

Big 12 Pro Day: 4.46 forty 6.71 shuttle 4.07 3cone 34” vert 9’ 11” broad

Three-star recruit spent five seasons for the Cowboys and will play as a 23 year-old rookie. Highly productive college career that began as a freshman. Presley started in 44 of 63 games played and left as OSU’s all-time leader in pass receptions and towards the top in all receiving categories, chalking up 315 catches for 3315 yards and 23 scores. He averaged over 1000 yards per season in all-purpose production, chipping in 160 yards rushing, 1427 in kickoff return yardage, and 240 yards on punt returns.

Had stellar athletic testing numbers at the Big 12 Pro Day, showing plus burst, balance, flexibility, and change of direction in his short-area agility to go along with very good long speed. His ability to run with the ball stands out. A jitterbug style with slippery-fast change of direction and makes his cuts at speed. If given sliver of space, he seems to always beat the first tackler, played running back in high school and runs with willing physicality for a small player.

He appears to run routes pretty well, but because of that running ability, OSU very often got him the ball quickly, so his route tree will need to be expanded. Predominantly a slot receiver, but also saw reps outside, in bunch sets, and in motion. Ran a lot of short/mid length routes. Shows good hands, tracks well, and transitions from catch to pass fluidly. Although he can bullied in man/press, he has a good feel for soft areas in zone and finding a way into use when the QB is forced out of the pocket.

Presley can wear a lot of hats as a versatile and reliable piece on offense and special teams. In his first three college seasons, he not only worked as a returner, but played on coverage as well. Lauded by coaches for his work ethic, leadership and competitive fire, OSU Cowboys Head coach Mike Gundy said of Presley,

“He’s like a rubber ball, and honestly, that’s the way Barry Sanders was, He took so many hits and we all worried about it, and he just gets up. Brennan’s the same way… He practices that way. He practices hard every day. He’s just a different little man, I guess.”

Mario Williams - Tulane 5’ 9” 170 lb. 29 3/4” arms 8 5/8” hands

Pro Day: 1.53/4.50 forty 6.96 shuttle 4.16 3cone 33” vert 10’ broad

A hotly pursued four-star recruit, the 22 year-old originally signed with Oklahoma, Although Edwards only had one start, he did play in 12 games as a freshman and tally 35 receptions for 380 yards and four scores. He followed his coach west, transferring to USC for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He made 14 starts in 26 games with the Trojans, corralling 69 throws for 936 yards and seven touchdowns. Edwards decided to transfer out of L.A. for his senior season and interestingly, chose to take a step down in class by selecting Tulane. In New Orleans he became the “go to” guy for the first time and responded with 60 catches for 1031 yards and six scores.

Hard to miss the similarity in how Williams was employed by Tulane and how the Rams use Tutu Atwell. Lots of over and dig routes, both staples of the Rams passing scheme. In the OU/USC offense, he was used on short, quick throws to rely on his open field running. His overall route running is fairly polished at all three depth’s. Obviously, size will be a factor in a more physical NFL when pressured getting off the line and mis-directed by aggressive coverage. Williams’ twitchy move skills and short area agility will be of help in countering sticky press.

Good hand catcher away from his body, nice hand/eye coordination in tight coverage, and liquid fast in transition to run. Begins with tempo and then explodes into another gear, whether running after catch or off route breaks. Stellar feet and very sharp on cuts. Quicker than fast, but 4.5 is more than adequate. Willing and able on balls over the middle. Not much on blocking, but his effort matches his play style, ornery.

Williams has a lot of natural traits and just started to put them all together in final college season. He’ll need to prove there is more growth available on his potential. His prospects would be higher if he had a deeper history in the return game. He has a good skillset for it, with a few attempts early in his college days.

Tru Edwards - Louisiana Tech 6’ 2” 198 lb. 31 1/2” arms 9 7/8” hands

Pro Day: 1.59/4.57 forty 7.28 shuttle 4.27 3cone 39.5” vert 10’ 7” broad 18 bench

Only played one season of high school varsity football, but was a regional track champ in the 110 high hurdles. This led to sparse recruitment and sent Edwards down the JUCO path. Played his first two seasons as a receiver/returner and was named honorable mention NJCAA All-American. Spent 2021 at Hawaii, appearing in eight games, mostly special teams. Settled at LaTech for his final three years. Took a redshirt in Year 1 and recorded 17 starts out of 23 games played over the final two. Snagged 108 balls during that period for 1273 yards and eight scores. He chipped in eight punt returns in 2024.

Played mostly out of the slot, but also outside, in bunch sets and in motion. Edwards is well put together and could add more if needed. He’s adequate in speed and short area agility. Where he shines is contested catches and fearlessly attacking the middle of the field. As attested by his Pro Day numbers, Edwards has good length, explosive leaping skills, and a strong upper body. He tracks the ball very well and uses big, strong hands to snatch it at its highpoint. Good body control helps him haul in errant throws.

He’s good, not great open field runner. At LaTech’s play level, they often used him on tunnel and quick, outside screens. Breaks arm tackles and is tough for one guy to bring down. Not wicked fast or bursty, but has a quick catch/run transition. On tape, he appears a long strider with buildup speed and more swervy through traffic than a sharp cutter.

Edwards had entered the transfer portal, looking for an extra season for his JUCO time. The soon-to-be 24 year-old had committed to Kentucky and many other JUCO players have been granted the exception. Another year, in a bigger program would have likely been very good for his football growth, but the Rams came calling. Pretty tough to turn an offer like that down.

Will any of the three make inroads?

There’s room for two of the three, most likely on the practice squad, but it’s way too early to rule out a returner spot on the 53. All three are stellar at the most important thing, they are all blessed with the ability to catch the football.

Of these undrafted free agents, Mario Williams stands out on tape has having the natural gifts of a receiver. His size won’t change and his production (until 2024) does not match the skillset, fluidity, and potential he shows. He also lacks the return experience that might be enough to put him over the top.

Brennan Presley is a bit different. He’s a jitterbug on the field, in constant motion, and tirelessly working on every play. Production has been his calling card, doing all the things to help his team. Very little tape of him running loose behind defenders, Presley gets his the hard way, grinding underneath and in the red zone. Add in plenty of return work, both punts and kickoff.

Without the return skills or stellar short area quickness of the other two prospect, if Tru Edwards is going to make the Rams, it’s going to be as the physical, contested catch guy. Not a lot of film of him blocking, but he does play in a “tough guy” style throwing his body around to reel in passes.

Realistically, these prospects are not going to challenge the Big Four, but the Rams usually keep six or seven receivers on the roster and another pair on the practice squad. They also rotate out the bottom two or three every couple of years. It may very well be time for fresh faces.