St. Louis Rams: Five Best Position Battles Heading into OTAs

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

5. Wide Receiver

Candidates: Brian Quick, Stedman Bailey

This isn’t necessarily an outright “battle” as much as it is a determination of how playing time is going to be distributed. Both Bailey and Quick are going to get on the field during 2015, as both have their own unique strengths and specialties. But with both having had strong periods of success at different points during 2014, which one will be the more favored target of Nick Foles during this coming season?

Bailey may have the advantage in building up a rapport with Foles, as he’s a full-go for all offseason activities, while Quick is still in the process of working back from a rather serious shoulder injury that ended his 2014 season early. As a 6-foot-3, 218-pounder who specializes in physically dominating defensive backs, he’s also somewhat redundant with 6-foot-3, 223-pound Kenny Britt, who does many of the same things.

Despite a general lack of opportunities during his two-year career in St. Louis, Bailey may be the Rams’ most all-around talented receiver. He plays much bigger than his 5-foot-10, 194-pound frame, and he’s got more explosiveness than Britt or Quick. Once he began getting consistent playing time from scrimmage last season in Week 11, Bailey had 25 catches for 375 yards and a touchdown over the Rams’ final seven games. His production over that period almost perfectly matched that of Quick over the Rams’ first seven games, as Quick had the same 25 catches for 375 yards but had two more touchdowns.

With Quick, the former 33rd pick in the draft, having had a breakthrough season in 2014, expect the Rams to try their hardest to get him back on the right track. But with Bailey seeming to have found a groove and getting more offseason work this year, it wouldn’t be a big shock to see Bailey starting opposite Britt, with Quick rotating in as needed.

Next: 4. Cornerback