Halfway Through, All Eyes Up: The Aerial Evolution in Today’s NFL
The pass has become one of the most essential parts of today's offenses. Where it used to be smash-mouth, run the rock and open up the field, we are in the era of passing opens up passing. Receivers are coming out of college at an all-time high, skills-wise. Currently, the Rams lead the passing game, but the Colts and Cowboys are right behind them. Each of these teams has specific differences that set them apart, less to do with scheme and more to do with personnel. The Colts and Cowboys were covered in part one, so here we will cover the Rams and some receivers that are lighting the league on fire.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams' passing attack is potent, accounting for 21 of their 29 touchdowns. Future Hall of Famer Matthew Stafford leads the offense with deadly precision. The former Lion is completing 67% of his passes. To further add to this stat, Stafford has thrown for 21 touchdowns to just two interceptions. A quarterback is nothing without his receivers, and the Rams' receiving corps is as good as it gets. To headline this prominent passing attack is none other than superstar receiver Puka Nacua. Nacua is a catching machine, with an 83% catch rate on 71 targets with 61 receptions—an absurd season so far. The Pro Bowl receiver has cemented himself as one of the best receivers in today's game. On track for an All-Pro season, who stands beside him is another legend of the game, Davante Adams. Adams has a storied career as one of the all-time receivers of his generation, and his play is still up to speed today. The former Packer currently leads all receivers in touchdowns with eight. Nacua and Adams dominate the target share, with 73 and 70 targets. Despite Stafford and Adams entering the twilight of their careers, they are an absolute force. Running back Kyren Williams is also a solid option in the receiving game. He has caught 20 of his 26 targets for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Williams is an excellent complement to their offense and a prominent rusher.
Seattle Seahawks
Sitting just outside the top three are the Seahawks. Bounce-back quarterback Sam Darnold leads the Seahawks. Darnold is playing lights out, completing 70% of his passes for 2,084 passing yards and 16 touchdowns to five interceptions. The receiving corps consists mainly of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Not that there aren’t other receivers producing for the Seahawks, JSN just stands far above everybody else. Currently, the former Buckeye is leading the league in receiving yards with 948, with number two at 831. He adds four touchdowns to his already impressive stat line. JSN looks unstoppable, even besting the Houston Texans' defense, which is only allowing 177 passing yards per game. If he stays healthy, JSN is on track for a truly spectacular season, even eyeing the elusive 2,000-yard season. At the trade deadline, the Seahawks made a big move. They traded for Rashid Shaheed from New Orleans. Shaheed is a huge speed factor that will fit in nicely with the Seahawks' passing attack. Cooper Kupp was brought in during the offseason to hopefully fill that wide receiver two role and take advantage of the pressure that JSN requires. So far, the former Ram has disappointed, a far cry from his dominant 2021 season.
Ja’Marr Chase
Ja’Marr Chase deserves his own section. Despite losing franchise quarterback Joe Burrow early in the season, Chase is balling out. Last year's Triple Crown leader is leading the league in targets with a ridiculous 102 targets. Chase has taken advantage of his targets, catching 76 of them, alongside 831 receiving yards and five touchdowns. What makes this even more impressive is the lack of a stable quarterback. After Burrow went down, Jake Browning took over with a horrible showing, wrought with turnovers. The Bengals then acquired Joe Flacco, who has since taken over the hyper-targeted Chase. In their first two games together, Chase was targeted 23 and 19 times, respectively. The former LSU Tiger is showing no signs of slowing down and is more than worthy of the often overused QB-proof tag. With Burrow set to return next month, Chase is set for another historic season.
Conclusion
The passing game is more important than ever. In today’s game, teams without a solid receiving corps end up falling short. Young quarterbacks need elite receivers, and teams looking to win it all need receivers who come up clutch when it matters most. This season in particular has some absolutely amazing receivers. We are getting closer to someone finally breaking the 2,000-yard receiving season.
