Here's who Matthew Stafford will turn to in Nacua's absence.
Jordan Whittington vs. Tutu Atwell fantasy: Which Rams WR is the better replacement for Puka Nacua? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
One of fantasy football's best and brightest stars is going to miss some games.
Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams is set to miss at least a game due to an ankle injury. He'll be absent from LA's game against the Jaguars with a bye week to follow.
As Isaac Newton once said -- for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, which is bound to happen to the Rams WR corps.
Who will take Nacua's massive target share along with Davante Adams? Let's take a look at third and fourth on the depth chat, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington.
Tutu Atwell vs. Jordan Whittington
Last year, Nacua missed weeks 2-6 due to injury. Both Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington were on the roster which gives us the luxury of a side-by-side comparison.
These stats come courtesy of u/ToyStoryBoy6994 on Reddit.
Tutu Atwell — Weeks 2–6 (2024)
| Week | Opponent | TGTS | REC | YDS | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Cardinals | 4 | 3 | 48 | 0 |
| 3 | 49ers | 5 | 4 | 93 | 0 |
| 4 | Bears | 6 | 4 | 82 | 0 |
| 5 | Packers | 10 | 6 | 58 | 0 |
| 6 | Raiders | 9 | 6 | 51 | 0 |
Jordan Whittington — Weeks 2–6 (2024)
| Week | Opponent | TGTS | REC | YDS | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Cardinals | 2 | 2 | 22 | 0 |
| 3 | 49ers | 3 | 3 | 28 | 0 |
| 4 | Bears | 8 | 6 | 62 | 0 |
| 5 | Packers | 10 | 7 | 89 | 0 |
| 6 | Raiders | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Both players saw involvement in the offense with Atwell the more consistent target for Stafford.
Atwell, the speedier, veteran target, is the more reliable fantasy option heading into Week 7. Against a Jaguars defense that ranks 30th against the pass this season, Atwell could be a viable FLEX play.
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Whittington, a second-year player, could have room to grow with the extra opportunity. There's an argument to be made that he could flourish in Nacua's absence. He has a higher ceiling long-term with this opportunity.
It's worth noting that neither player scored a touchdown in the games Nacua missed. Fantasy football is heavily dependent on scoring. If you have a better option, it's best to stash one or both of these wideouts and wait to see if they break out.
Category: Football
