The Rams are known for having one of the thinnest receiving corps in the NFL. While they lack obvious #1 and #2 receivers, one thing they don’t lack is depth, as you would expect from a team that has used 5 picks in rounds 2-4 on receivers in the last 3 seasons. The Rams are hoping that their quantity over quality approach produces two legitimate starters on what has been one of the weakest receiving corps in the league really since the days of Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.

They essentially have 8 wide receivers competing for positioning on the depth chart. Brandon Gibson and Danario Alexander are their leading returning receivers, producing mediocre lines of 36/431/1 and 26/431/2 respectively. Gibson, a 2009 6^th round pick acquired in a trade from the Eagles, has caught 123 passes for 1399 yards and 4 touchdowns in 3 seasons. Alexander, meanwhile, was an undrafted free agent in 2010. He’s dealt with several injuries so far in his career, catching 46 passes for 737 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2 seasons. He’s currently battling a hamstring problem which has cost him all of Training Camp, which will definitely hurt him as he tries to make the roster in a crowded receiving corps.

Austin Pettis and Greg Salas were 3^rd and 4^th round picks in the 2011 NFL Draft. Neither really did much as rookies, as Salas caught 27 passes for 264 yards and 0 touchdowns, while Pettis caught 27 passes for 256 yards and 0 touchdowns. While Pettis was the higher draft pick, Salas has been the more impressive receiver this offseason. Pettis is also suspended for the first 2 games of the season for violating the league’s performance enhancing drugs policy.

Brian Quick and Chris Givens were 2^nd and 4^th round picks in the 2012 NFL Draft. Givens was never expected to make much of an impact as a rookie, but Quick was expected to be a starter and possibly the #1 receiver, even if only by default. However, he hasn’t quite lived up to his billing yet and has yet to beat out Brandon Gibson for a starting job. Several reports actually say that Givens is impressing more than Quick this offseason, no surprise to me since I had Givens rated higher on my wide receiver board this draft season than Quick.

Danny Amendola was their leading receiver in 2010, catching 85 passes for 689 yards and 3 touchdowns, but missed most of last season with injury. He’s had a strong offseason in his return and has been Bradford’s favorite target once again in the preseason. Bradford’s favorite security blanket, Amendola is the only receiver whose role is pretty much locked in at this point, as he will continue to serve as the slot receiver, as he did in 2010.

Another player coming off injury is Steve Smith. Steve Smith caught 107 passes for 1220 yards and 7 touchdowns with the Giants in 2009, but knee problems have limited him to 59 catches for 655 yards and 4 touchdowns over the last 2 seasons with the Giants and Eagles. Now as healthy as he’s been since 2009, Smith is impressing in Training Camp and the preseason and looks to be locked in as a starter. He won’t find his old 100 catch form or anything, but he’ll probably be the Rams’ #1 receiver, assuming he can stay healthy.

Either Gibson or Quick will likely start opposite him, depending almost solely on whether or not Quick can step up his game and beat out the veteran in the next few weeks. Amendola will remain the slot receiver, while Salas and Givens probably won’t have much impact this season as purely depth receivers. Alexander, unable to shake the injury bug, will probably be a final cut, while Pettis will miss the first 2 games of the season with suspension.

That will allow the Rams to carry just 6 receivers into the season despite making just 1 cut, but when he returns, they’ll have a decision to make, unless injuries strike. Pettis could find himself the odd man out, as could Salas, even though they were mid round picks just over a year ago. Givens, being a rookie, will probably be safe for this season, especially after an impressive offseason. 2nd year tight end Lance Kendricks, a 2011 2nd round pick, has also been having a strong offseason and could be a big part of the offense as well. This receiving corps might end up being passable.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

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