Rams WR/TE routes run last night. On 29 QB dropbacks: 1. WR Davante Adams 21 2. WR Puka Nacua 20 3. TE Colby Parkinson 19 4. TE Terrance Ferguson 14 5. WR Jordan Whittington 13 6. WR Konata Mumpfield 11 7. WR Xavier Smith 9 8. TE Tyler Higbee 5 9. TE Davis Allen 4 (left early, head)

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NegativeRoleSep 8, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Rams receiver Xavier Smith traveled to Australia in March as a test case for the team's travel logistics, enduring the 16-hour flight to Melbourne and 14-hour return flight. Smith slept eight to 10 hours during the flight and felt ready upon landing, stating "I had slept eight to 10 hours, so once we landed, I was able to rock and roll." He expressed confidence in the late-travel approach, noting the team is "mimicking the same blueprint" from their successful London trip last season when they beat Jacksonville 35-7 the day after arriving.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 28, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Smith is projected to make the Rams' opening 53-man roster as a top-six wide receiver.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 28, 2026Turf Show Times

Wide receiver Xavier Smith was held out of preseason games and is expected to make the 53-man roster. The source notes that if the team keeps Tutu Atwell and Xavier Smith, that accounts for two of the five remaining roster spots after accounting for 48 likely roster locks.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 28, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Wide receiver Xavier Smith is in consideration for the roster. The source notes that if the team keeps both Tutu Atwell and Xavier Smith, they are similar players, though Atwell is not a known punt returner. Smith was held out of the preseason week 2 game, which historically indicates roster retention.

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NegativeValueAug 27, 2026Legendary Upside

The source suggests that fantasy managers holding Xavier Smith should be disappointed by the Rams' decision to trade for Tutu Atwell, as it adds competition for snaps.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 27, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Football

Smith ranks fifth on the Rams receiver depth chart and will compete with Tutu Atwell, Konata Mumpfield, and sixth-round rookie CJ Daniels for the top backup job. Atwell likely would have out-snapped Smith in 2025 if healthy.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 25, 2026Turf Show Times

Smith appeared on 79.8% of fan-submitted 53-man rosters in the Turf Show Times consensus projection, indicating solid but not overwhelming consensus for his roster spot.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 25, 2026Turf Show Times

Wide receiver missed Week 2 preseason game but locked up roster spot after 40-yard return in Week 1 that changed the game. Signed Alex Bachman after first preseason game to return punts and take Smith's spot at wide receiver, suggesting Smith was on roster bubble heading into preseason; however, his impactful return secured his position.

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NegativeRoleAug 24, 2026Turf Show Times

Wide receiver Xavier Smith played extensively in the preseason opener against Kansas City and stood out as both a receiver and punt returner; the Rams held him out of the Saints game to avoid injury, suggesting the coaching staff feels confident about him securing a roster spot in his expected role as punt returner and backup receiver.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 24, 2026Turf Show Times

Listed as 'Likely' on the Rams' depth chart reset after sitting out preseason Week 2 following a solid Week 1 performance; the source indicates the battle for the final wide receiver roster spot is between Smith and other candidates (CJ Daniels, Brennan Presley, Tyler Scott).

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 24, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Listed as 'Likely' for the Rams' opening 53-man roster at wide receiver; Smith sat out Week 2 after a solid Week 1 performance and is in contention for the WR#6 roster spot.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 23, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Source notes that keeping all preseason standouts would require moves fans wish would happen but won't, such as cutting Smith, indicating he is currently rostered and unlikely to be cut despite fan sentiment.

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NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Sat out Week 2 preseason, indicating he will return as punt returner and depth option at receiver after totaling over 300 yards last season; expected to make the 53-man roster in a reserve role.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 23, 2026Turf Show Times

Listed as the only wide receiver on the Rams preseason roster accounting; marked as PR (practice squad/reserve), indicating he is not on the active 53-man roster.

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NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026Turf Show Times

Sat out Week 2 against the Saints, indicating he will return as a punt returner and depth option at receiver after totaling over 300 yards last season; rested in both preseason games as an established roster player.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 23, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Xavier Smith received a vote of confidence from Sean McVay after the week one preseason game and is projected to make the 53-man roster. The source notes McVay may be giving Smith a shot at redemption after his fumble in the 2025 NFC Championship Game.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 23, 2026Turf Show Times

Xavier Smith received a vote of confidence from Sean McVay after the week one preseason game and is projected to make the 53-man roster. The source suggests the Rams may give Smith a shot at redemption after his fumble in the 2025 NFC Championship Game, indicating organizational belief in his recovery and role.

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NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Smith is expected to be part of a revolving door at the WR3 role in the Rams offense, competing with Konata Mumpfield and Jordan Whittington for snap share.

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NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026Turf Show Times

Smith is expected to compete for the WR3 role in the Rams offense in a revolving-door arrangement with Konata Mumpfield and Jordan Whittington; CJ Daniels' strong preseason performance has also entered him into the competition for snap share.

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NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Xavier Smith did not appear in Saturday's preseason game against New Orleans, which the source interprets as a signal that Sean McVay has him locked in as the team's 2026 punt returner. The source notes this outcome 'is what everybody should have expected,' suggesting Smith's role as the primary punt returner is secure.

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NegativeRoleAug 23, 2026Turf Show Times

Smith did not appear in Saturday's preseason game, which the source interprets as an indication that Sean McVay has locked him in as the Rams' 2026 punt returner; Smith is expected to be one of six receivers the Rams keep on the 53-man roster.

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PositiveRoleAug 21, 2026Turf Show Times

Smith is competing for one of two likely remaining roster jobs in the receiver room; the source notes he made a fair case for one slot in Week 1 and has the power of incumbency, though the source questions whether the Rams would consider rostering two small receivers.

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PositiveRoleAug 21, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 21, 2026Turf Show Times

Wide receiver Xavier Smith is on the roster bubble with uncertain status as the Rams' competitive roster has few open spots heading into the final preseason games.

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NegativeRoleAug 20, 2026Turf Show Times

Punt returner job is in jeopardy after muffing a punt in the NFC Championship game that resulted in a touchdown for the Seahawks; the source questions whether the Rams will deploy Smith again in 2026 and suggests exploring alternatives like Brennan Presley or Dean Connors, who are equally athletic and shifty.

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NegativeRoleAug 20, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The source questions whether the Rams will deploy Smith as the punt returner again in 2026 after he muffed a punt that resulted in a touchdown for the Seahawks in the NFC Championship game; the source advocates exploring alternatives like Brennan Presley or Dean Connors.

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NegativeRoleAug 20, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Smith is expected to get snaps at the WR3 position this season as part of a committee approach behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

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NegativeRoleAug 19, 2026RotoWire NFL Articles

Rams WR Xavier Smith is competing for three-wide snaps alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, alongside Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield.

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NegativeRoleAug 19, 2026Turf Show Times

Competing for the Rams' WR3 spot alongside Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington, and sixth-round rookie CJ Daniels. Caught 24 passes for 303 yards last season and doubled as the Rams' primary punt returner, logging 251 punt return yards. None of the group has separated itself statistically in the competition for the third receiver role.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 18, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Smith makes the most solid argument to be the fifth receiver on the Rams depth chart, positioning him ahead of sixth-round pick C.J. Daniels.

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NegativeRoleAug 18, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Despite fumbling away the NFC Championship game last season, Smith returns as LA's primary punt returner with little upside to the return role; the source questions why the Rams didn't bring in competition or alternatives during the offseason, suggesting the roster spot could be better maximized by identifying a player who can contribute more as a returner and elsewhere.

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NegativeRoleAug 18, 2026Turf Show Times

Despite fumbling away the NFC Championship game last season, Smith returns as LA's primary punt returner. The Rams had all offseason to bring in competition or consider alternatives but seem ready to run it back with Smith, who brings little upside to the return role despite breaking a longer return for an important play in Saturday's game against KC.

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PositiveRoleAug 17, 2026RotoWire NFL Articles

Smith led the way at wide receiver for the Rams' backup-filled preseason unit alongside Tyler Scott and CJ Daniels, with none of the team's presumed top-four receivers playing. This suggests he could be a breakout candidate if injuries strike the top receivers.

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PositiveRoleAug 17, 2026Turf Show Times

Receiver and return specialist secured his roster spot after preseason performance against Kansas City Chiefs. Smith had been a cut candidate during training camp as the Rams explored other special teams options and he failed to secure his receiver room spot initially, with Konata Mumpfield and CJ Daniels turning in noteworthy performances ahead of him. However, after Saturday's preseason game, Smith impressed in both receiver and return specialist roles enough to be all but a lock to make the team. A 40-yard punt return by Smith to the Kansas City 23 at the start of the fourth quarter had special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone fired up, and the offense capitalized with a drive ending in Simpson's first touchdown pass.

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PositiveRoleAug 17, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Xavier Smith, a receiver and return specialist, was a cut candidate during training camp after failing to secure his roster spot in the receiver room, with Konata Mumpfield, CJ Daniels, and Jordan Whittington ahead of him. However, Smith impressed in both receiver and return specialist roles in Saturday's preseason game against the Chiefs, including a 40-yard punt return to the Kansas City 23-yard line at the start of the fourth quarter that led to a touchdown drive. After this performance, Smith should be all but a lock to make the team.

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