Wide receivers everywhere

Here's a nice feature on Marques Hagans from his hometown newspaper. Hagans liked the taste of playing time he got this season, appearing in 4 games and catching 8 passes for 101 yards. Despite being drafted in the fifth round in 2006, his time last season was his first regular season work. It's hard to judge based on the same old things players say in puff pieces like this, but it sounds like Hagans takes the game seriously and expects to contibute this season.

The piece also mentions he's focusing on returning kicks in addition to his work as a receiver. Interesting. Hadn't heard that, but it makes sense for the Rams to audition him for that role as well. Hagans doesn't have the speed that Avery or Burton, 2008 draftees, possess, and he lacks a couple inches at 5'9" than the rest of the guys on the depth chart at WR.

Actually, with Burton and Avery, the Rams have a long list of players at the WR position. Here's the depth chart on the official site. Note that it lacks Avery and Burton and still. Avery, according to reports we've heard since the draft, figures to be the #3 WR, ahead of free agency addition Reche Caldwell, who, right now, I would assume sits just below Avery on the depth chart. Dane Looker holds the kicks, so he'll likely stay on the roster for ST. Brandon Williams and Derek Stanley did well returning kicks last season, filling in for an injured Dante Hall, with Stanley really impressing us with 20 returns for 509 yards with all but three of his returns going for 20 or more yards. Hall could be the odd man out, IF the Rams need cap space. It's the last year of his contract too. Eric Fowler was signed late in the season and joined the practice squad; he's probably not in the picture this season.

Stanley, Williams, Fowler and Hagans will be competing in camp for roster spots. Stanley and Williams, one of the two anyway, is likely to stay to round out the returner depth. Avery could be in the mix there too, but his spot is secure.