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Matthew Stafford says he trusts his receivers. Rams numbers say otherwise
Matthew Stafford says he has confidence in the Rams’ less experienced receivers, but his passing patterns raise questions about how much he trusts them in games. That matters as injuries are forcing Los Angeles to rely more heavily on players who have had few chances to build a track record with him.
Across nine games, Konata Mumpfield, Tutu Atwell and rookie CJ Daniels have received 36 of Stafford’s 337 charted targets, or 10.7 per cent. Puka Nacua has had 93 targets despite missing two games, while Davante Adams has 49 and Kyren Williams 46. Against Washington, Nacua caught 14 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown on 19 targets; Mumpfield and Atwell combined for four catches on seven targets, with a dropped pass and apparent route confusion also noted. With Nacua, Adams, tight end Terrance Ferguson and Jordan Whittington unavailable, the article argues the remaining receivers will have a bigger opportunity.
In short
- Stafford says he trusts the Rams’ inexperienced receivers.
- They have received 10.7 per cent of his targets.
- Injuries mean they may need to play bigger roles.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The target distribution supports the view that Stafford has relied more on established options, so his public confidence in less experienced receivers may not yet reflect trust in game situations. With injuries removing several regular targets, the limited production and reported miscommunication against Washington make questions about their readiness understandable.
The case against
Target totals alone do not show whether Stafford distrusts those receivers: routes, coverage, play design and the opportunities available in each game can all shape who gets the ball. The young players have had relatively few chances to build chemistry, and injuries now give them a chance to develop; Stafford’s confidence may be sincere even if their role has so far been small.