OTAs

10 Observations from Rams’ first OTA practice of 2025 offseason program: Excused Puka Nacua absence, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell’s playmaking, and more

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-rams-first-ota-open-practice-2025-offseason-program-excused-puka-nacua-absence-davante-adams-jordan-whittington-and-tutu-atwell-s-playmaking-and-more

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – The Rams held their first OTA practice on Wednesday. While wide receiver Puka Nacua was not on the field due to an excused absence, that afforded additional snaps and opportunities to fellow receivers Davante Adams, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington to build their connection with quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Here are some of the notes and observations from it:

1) Nacua excused absence due to “special trip” with family: McVay said the wide receiver had been in communication about this trip a couple months in advance and is returning from it today, which is why he wasn’t on the field for the team’s OTA workout. (And it’s worth reiterating these workouts are voluntary until minicamp).

2) Kyren Williams present for OTAs: Even as the Rams running back heads into the final year of his contract, he was present for the team’s first OTA workout of the spring.

“Kyren has been the same stud that we know,” head coach Sean McVay said. “Great demeanor, great willingness to come out here, to work, to be able to get better. He’s been great in terms of our communication. It means a lot, just because, you don’t minimize those things are real, and those are real things that guys have to navigate.”

3) Extended look at Stafford-Adams connection: Nacua’s absence naturally created more opportunities for Matthew Stafford to look new wide receiver Davante Adams’ way throughout team drills Wednesday. The tempo and body control Adams is known for playing with was on display on one pass he snared from Stafford over the middle during 11-on-11 work.

4) Competitive mix: As added context, the Rams maintained the same approach with pitting the projected first-team offense against the first-team defense, first-team offense against the second-team defense and vice-versa, and so on.

5) Play of the day: Stafford had a deep touchdown pass over the middle to wide receiver Tutu Atwell, with Atwell displaying the speed he’s known for when given the opportunity to make plays.

6) Play of the day, Part II: Nacua’s absence also meant more opportunities for second-year receiver Jordan Whittington on Wednesday. His best catch of the day was a leaping, two-handed grab on a corner route toward the sideline.

7) Getting to see what Forbes can do: Third-year cornerback Emmanuel Forbes didn’t see a ton of action after being claimed late last season off waivers from the Commanders, at least until Week 18 against Seattle when Los Angeles rested its starters and gave him 52 defensive snaps and four special teams snaps, according to Pro Football Focus (McVay said Wednesday he thought Forbes “did some really good stuff” in that game). On Wednesday, he intercepted a Jimmy Garoppolo pass intended for wide receiver Xavier Smith on an out-breaking route near the sideline.

8) Jolly on the spot: Cornerback Shaun Jolly corralled an interception Wednesday on a Matthew Stafford pass.

Playmaking like that from Jolly and Forbes is likely why McVay said he feels really good about the development of the group, and where the secondary as a whole is at.

9) Derion Kendrick participating: McVay said it was “good to see” the fourth-year cornerback out there. Kendrick’s season ended prematurely last year due to a torn ACL sustained in the first week of camp.

10) Special visitor: Lakers coach JJ Redick took in Wednesday’s OTA workout, and also spoke with Rams players.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said he first connected with Redick prior to him getting the Lakers job, and that he “always respected him from afar.”

“A well-thought-out guy, a great willingness to look inwardly (for) areas of improvement, understanding how you bring people together,” McVay said. “Really enjoyed him coming out.”

from Rodrigue, https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6389112/2025/05/28/rams-kyren-williams-at-otas-amid-healthy-ongoing-contract-talks-other-notes/

notes from the Rams’ first day of organized team activities (OTAs)

(As a reminder, the team enforces a media policy that prohibits reporting specifics about the depth chart, plays and formations or other such details.)

• McVay was asked again whether the Rams remain open to trading for Dolphins star cornerback Jalen Ramsey after Miami expressed a willingness to facilitate a trade this offseason. Again, the head coach didn’t rule out the possibility or downplay the Rams’ interest, saying, “We would never close out those opportunities,” but added that the Rams and Dolphins have not recently had “meaningful” dialogue on the matter.

McVay also said he doesn’t believe the team needs to add more players to the secondary (outside of Ramsey, who would be a unique case) and cited cornerback Emmanuel Forbes’ development after arriving in L.A. late last season and cornerback Derion Kendrick’s return to the field (Kendrick can play outside or in the slot). Forbes did jump a route during a team period and intercepted backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

• Third year star receiver Puka Nacua had an excused absence from Wednesday’s practice as he returns from a trip with his mother. Second-year receiver Jordan Whittington took on a significant portion of Nacua’s workload and made several tough catches across the middle and sealed off the edge on more than one occasion during run plays, which drew praise from some coaches. (Note that real contact is not allowed during these practices.)

• Veteran receivers Davante Adams and Tutu Atwell also made their presence felt. In seven-on-sevens, Adams stretched vertically for a contested catch won against Kendrick. Meanwhile, Atwell caught a deep pass for a touchdown after getting two steps on his defender in 11-on-11s. Rookie seventh-round pick Konata Mumpfield made a tough catch in coverage, with a second defender closing down over the top of his route.

• Inside linebacker Omar Speights and safeties Kamren Kinchens and Quentin Lake worked to the side with athletic training staff during part of the team period.

• Right tackle Rob Havenstein is not practicing as he recovers from offseason procedures on both shoulders. He said earlier this spring that he expects to be ready for training camp. The Rams have been developing third-year offensive lineman Warren McClendon as a backup swing tackle.

• Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick attended Wednesday’s practice and spoke with the team. “There’s so much crossover in leadership and the platform that we’re blessed to be able to have,” said McVay, who initially met Redick shortly before the latter accepted the Lakers job in 2024.