WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – For Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington, the difference a year makes is all in the details.
More than 12 months after arriving as a rookie seventh-round draft pick, the former Texas standout is settling into preparing for his second season armed with an All-Rookie Team season as a kick returner and a wealth of knowledge from two veteran NFL receivers.
“I would say I’ve grown more on the football IQ side, just going through a full season, getting more familiar with the game at the NFL level, and having Cooper (Kupp) last year, and then now having Davante (Adams), those are two people that I’ve been able to pick their brains and get a lot of knowledge from them,” Whittington told theRams.com earlier this week. “So I think the transition from (year) one to (year) two, it definitely was great, and I could see that kind of throughout the OTAs, and stuff moving slower and just knowing more of the detailed stuff.”
Whittington averaged 28.3 yards per kickoff return en route to landing on the Pro Football Writers of American All-Rookie Team; his 453 kickoff return yards led all rookies and ranked 13th among all NFL players. And as he learned from Kupp, he put together one of his best performances of his rookie season with three receptions for 86 yards in Week 18 against the Seahawks.
Being able to make an impact on special teams – where he remained willing to play in college even as his role on offense expanded – meant a lot to him and accomplished a personal goal.
“First, just the whole year was a blessing,” Whittington said. “We got to go through the ups and downs, have a great season. And, yeah, I’m just glad I got to contribute to the team. And I was happy to just to be here, because there was a point where I didn’t think that I would be in the NFL, and then now I’m here. So every rep, every practice, I got to take it and take advantage of the opportunities that I get. But yeah, just being able to help the team any way I could, that was a big goal for me.”
Entering Year 2, Whittington is focused on growing his knowledge of the game and defenses, as well as concepts and the details with it. “Being a technician” is also a priority, as he applies advice received from Adams and fellow receivers Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell onto the field.
“And making sure that I don’t lose sight of that when I get in those heated moments,” he said.
One thing that excites Whittington in the realm of kickoff returns is moving the touchback to the 35-yard line – yet another influence on his preparation for the upcoming season.
“They moved the touchback, so more opportunities. With more opportunities, you need more practice, you’re going to have more chances to score,” Whittington said. “I’m just really excited to have more opportunities and see what we can do out there.”
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