Rams vs. Dolphins: Brandon Gibson is Danny Amendola's replacement by default

For three years now, Brandon Gibson has been the St. Louis Rams' wide receiver of last resort. Fans and coaches alike all hope that a touted rookie or a veteran free agent—a Mardy Gilyard, a Mike Sims-Walker, an Austin Pettis or a Steve Smith—will dislodge the former sixth-rounder, and when he doesn't he sticks around and slowly gains more of Sam Bradford's trust. With Danny Amendola injured, Gibson is now the Rams' No. 1 receiver by default; he'll have every opportunity to stay there while those rookies and veterans continue to develop.

Gibson's actually been a solid contributor with the Rams—especially relative to their other options—so it hasn't just been luck keeping him around. He's consistently above replacement level, according to Football Outsiders, and aside from some head-scratchingly bad play and composure Week 3 vs. the Bears he's been at his best in 2012; he's got 13 receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns so far.

Brandon Gibson isn't likely to be nearly as ubiquitous as Amendola; he's just not that kind of receiver. But he'll almost certainly get more targets with him gone; if there's one thing Sam Bradford clearly likes, it's familiarity. And against everyone's collective will, GIbson has that.