NFL Trade Deadline: 5 Wide Receiver Options for the LA Rams Amid Puka Nacua Injury

The Los Angeles Rams are in desperate need of wide receiver help after star wide receiver Puka Nacua suffered a knee injury in a win against the Washington Commanders. Even if the injury to Nacua isn’t serious, the Rams have been relying on him at an unsustainable rate. The Rams were already thin at wide receiver due to a rash of injuries to players like Davante Adams. With the 2026 NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, here are five options for the Rams to consider.

Wide Receiver Options for the Los Angeles Rams

5. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers

With the Los Angeles Chargers currently being winless on the season at 0-8, they should be open for business at the trade deadline. Quentin Johnston could be one of the wide receiver options for the Rams, and he won’t even need to go anywhere. Johnston hasn’t quite lived up to his potential as a 2023 first-round pick; however, the Rams could use his downfield playmaking. He hasn’t been a focal point in the Chargers’ offense this season. He did catch a 58-yard touchdown in a loss Sunday against the Houston Texans. But the Rams should call and see if he is available.

4. Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens

Rashod Bateman is currently third on the Baltimore Ravens in receiving yards and targets, but he’s been far from a consistent presence in the Ravens’ offense. Also, with Baltimore’s injuries at quarterback, the passing game will likely be limited for the rest of the season. Bateman should be a player the Rams should check in on. A former first-round pick, the Rams could make a bet that he could find some consistency in the Rams’ offense.

3. Stefon Diggs, Washington Commanders

Stefon Diggs signed a one-year deal with the Commanders back in the offseason and hasn’t quite provided the impact for the Commanders’ offense many thought he would have. Diggs is a veteran wide receiver who may not be what he once was, but could certainly keep the Rams afloat until reinforcements return from injury.

Diggs does have five touchdowns on the season and averages slightly under 50 yards receiving per game. He has experience on a team with expectations, having been key in the passing game for a New England Patriots team that made the Super Bowl last season.

2. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts

With the Indianapolis Colts trading away most of their roster and the season still going nowhere, the Rams could look to add Josh Downs. Downs isn’t dynamic, but he provides a level of reliability the quarterback Matthew Stafford needs that the rest of the Rams’ receiving options outside of Nacua aren’t providing right now. It likely won’t cost the Rams much in draft capital, and he can fit into the offense as Adams and Nacua are both together in the lineup.

1. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

Brian Thomas Jr. is the best available option for any team looking for wide receiver help at the trade deadline. The third-year receiver appears to have fallen out of favor in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense, and a split will likely be best for both parties. Thomas Jr. had a dynamic rookie season, taking the league by storm, but has struggled since.

A team like the Rams could take a chance on him to see if they can get him back on track. Only 24 years old and still on his rookie deal, the Rams have plenty of connections to the Jaguars’ front office, with their general manager, James Gladstone, formerly part of the organization. Also, the Jags’ head coach, Liam Coen, had been on the Rams’ coaching staff.

Thomas Jr. could also be someone the Rams could build with beyond this season, with both Nacua and Adams slated to be free agents after the season.

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