The Rams have brought in a couple of new faces (Donnie Avery, Reche Caldwell) to help out with depth at WR and they should help the offense. But, 32-year old Torry Holt is the still the main man for the Rams’ passing attack. Holt played in all 16 games for the Rams last season and he caught 93 passes for 1,189 yards (12.8 avg) with 7 TD grabs despite catching passes from a lot of different QBs in 2007. Holt will likely have another stellar season in 2008 in which his numbers could actually increase without Isaac Bruce around to steal some catches. Holt has now played in 142 games in his NFL career and he has caught 805 passes for 11,864 yards (14.7 avg) with 71 TD grabs. He also has carried the ball 11 times for 57 yards (5.2 ypc) in his career.
29-year old Drew Bennett will step into Isaac Bruce’s role as the Rams’ #2 WR in 2008. Bennett is a big guy at 6′5″, 206 pounds and he has pretty good hands despite lacking big time speed. Bennett played in 14 games for the Rams last season and he caught 33 passes for 375 yards (11.4 avg) with 3 TD grabs. Look for Bennett to at least double those numbers in 2008 for the Rams as long as he can stay healthy. Bennett has now played in 101 games in his NFL career and he has caught 306 passes for 4,408 yards (14.4 avg) with 28 TD grabs.
24-year old rookie Donnie Avery is the favorite to win the #3 job at WR for the Rams this season. He played in 13 games (11 starts) for the Houston Cougars last season and he caught 91 passes for 1,456 yards (16.0 avg) with 7 TD grabs. Don’t expect numbers like that in 2008 out of Avery but he could catch 40-50 passes. Avery finished up his career at Houston playing in 50 games (44 starts) in which he caught 210 passes for 3,289 yards (15.7 avg) with 19 TD grabs.
29-year old Reche Caldwell could possibly move up the depth chart if he plays well in training camp and the preseason. Caldwell played in 8 games for the Redskins last season and he caught 15 passes for 141 yards (9.4 avg). Look for Caldwell to at least double those numbers in 2008 for the Rams. Caldwell has now played in 71 games in his NFL career and he has caught 152 passes for 1,851 yards (12.2 avg) with 11 TD grabs. He also has carried the football 14 times for 108 yards (7.7 ypc) in his career.
25-year old converted college QB Marques Hagans did not make a smooth transition as a rookie but he still has time. Hagans played in 4 games for the Rams last season and he caught 8 passes for 101 yards (12.6 avg). He also carried the ball 2 times for a loss of 4 yards (-2.0 ypc) last season.
29-year old Dante Hall is too valuable on special teams for the Rams to use him too much on offense. Hall played in 7 games for the Rams last season and he caught 5 passes for 27 yards (5.4 avg). He also carried the football 3 times for 18 yards (6.0 ypc) last season. Hall has now played in 99 games in his NFL career and he has caught 150 passes for 1,642 yards (10.9 avg) with 9 TD grabs. He also has carried the football 50 times for 233 yards (4.7 ypc) in his career.
32-year old Dane Looker is a solid player who is trying to hang on for the Rams. Looker played in 13 games for the Rams last season and he caught 6 passes for 38 yards (6.3 avg). But, Looker has been productive in the past so don’t write him off just yet. Looker has now played in 75 games in his NFL career and he has caught 89 passes for 953 yards (10.7 avg) with 3 TD grabs.
PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: B