From Jared Verse to Justin Dedich, a thought on each member of LA’s rookie class
The early indications of the Los Angeles Rams’ 2024 rookie class suggest that GM Les Snead has done it again. Back-to-back strong drafts will form a strong structural foundation for LA to build the next iteration of its contending roster and transition to a new generation after the careers of Cooper Kupp, Matthew Stafford, Rob Havenstein, and others.
Through 15 weeks of the regular season, this is a thought I have on each Rams rookie from first round pick Jared Verse to the undrafted free agents like Jaylen McCollough, Omar Speights, and Justin Dedich:
1 – Jared Verse, OLB: 1st round
Verse is a budding star and a future franchise cornerstone
There’s not much left to say about Verse that you haven’t heard already. He’s probably the best rookie EDGE rusher since Micah Parsons and will likely be an formidable anchor on the Rams defense for years to come. There is also still room for him to grow.
Jared Verse making a 366 pound LT in Jordan Mailata catch some airtime is crazy when you sit back and really think about it.. pic.twitter.com/4yxoasHk7E
— Rams Tapes (@RamsTapes) December 7, 2024
2 – Braden Fiske, DI: 2nd round
He’s delivering on exactly the same traits the Rams were willing to bet on
Fiske has 42 pressures on the season, which is third behind Verse (64) and Kobie Turner (49). Pass rushing productivity is exactly what LA was looking for when they traded up to take him early in the second round.
There are tradeoffs with penetrating interior defensive linemen; however, and Fiske has struggled against the run with a 46.4 PFF rush defense grade. Similar to Verse, he also has a missed tackle problem. Fiske has missed 10 times, which ranks fourth-worst on the Rams defense. Verse is the worst at 20.
haven’t stopped thinking about this win from braden fiske. this is as clean as it gets. pic.twitter.com/Duq47koGsN
— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) November 4, 2024
3 – Blake Corum, RB: 3rd round
Whether Corum’s lack of usage is his fault or the team’s, his rookie season has been a disappointment
You draft running backs in the third round because they are mostly plug and play and cost-controlled for four seasons. The Rams have mostly burned the first year of Corum’s rookie deal by not involving him in the offense regularly. He has only 48 carries compared to Kyren Williams’ 280.
4 – Kamren Kinchens, DB: 3rd round
The most attractive element of Kinchens’ draft profile is shining through at the NFL level
Ball skills. We’ve seen Kinchens pick off Geno Smith twice in an important NFC West matchup and take one back to the house. He has a nose for the football, which is what made him an appealing prospect out of Miami.
103-YARD PICK-6!
Kamren Kinchens takes it ALL the way back for the @RamsNFL
: #LARvsSEA on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/vEVC2pom4i— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024
5 – Brennan Jackson, OLB: 5th round
18 defensive snaps on the year mean it’s too soon to draw conclusions
6 – Tyler Davis, DI: 6th round
Davis’ best play has come of late and he’s making his impact felt
Davis has 224 defensive snaps on the year so far with well over half coming in the last six games. His best outing was the most recent contest against the San Francisco 49ers where he was stingy against the run and earned a rush grade of 78.6.
7 – Josh Karty, K: 6th round
Don’t get too attached
The best part of Karty is that he’s on a rookie deal for the next four years. With Sean McVay’s improved game management, we are seeing less late opportunities for the kicker—and that’s a good thing overall for the Rams. There will be veteran options that would be an upgrade over Karty, but the cost is probably prohibit and not something the Rams will seriously entertain.
Still, Karty doesn’t seem like the type of kicker that will stay in Los Angeles for the next 10 years. Those players are the exception and not the rule.
8 – Jordan Whittington, WR: 6th round
I wish we could see more of him
While Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were both out, we say Whittington accumulate 18 receptions and 201 yards in a four-game stretch. He’s largely disappeared from the offense since, though he’s flashed as a return man on special teams.
2025 could be a big year for Whittington with Kupp in a dicey contract situation and Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell scheduled to hit free agency. I like what we’ve seen so far. Just wish there was more.
maybe I missed it in previous seasons
but it’s so cool to see offenses releasing WRs into routes through the B and C gaps this year
must be a nightmare to defend against. Here’s a 31 yard gain to Jordan Whittington pic.twitter.com/LzkjM17XMI
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) October 7, 2024
9 – Beaux Limmer, C: 6th round
Limmer is a draft steal that stole a starting job from the Rams’ prized free agent signing
LA’s first free agent signing out of the gate was Jonah Jackson from the Detroit Lions. Jackson was supposed to start at left guard and then the team was going to shift Steve Avila to center. That plan changed late in training camp, and Limmer sent Jackson permanently to the bench—and possibly off the roster this upcoming offseason.
That’s an incredible feat for any rookie, let alone one taken where Limmer was.
10 – KT Leveston, OL: 7th round
Reminds me of former Ram Jamon Brown, but we’ve yet to see him
11 – Jaylen McCollough, DB: UDFA
Put the interceptions aside, and he’s still a useful player
McCollough hasn’t missed a single tackle this season. That’s an important feat for a player who often aligns in the box and slot. It’s not as impressive as his four interceptions, but still notable nonetheless.
12 – Omar Speights, MLB: UDFA
A volatile player that can help LA by growing into a starting role
How does Speights fit into the Rams’ long-term plans? I’m not sure we have our answer yet. It’s difficult to expect the team to deviate from their historical plan of not investing in off-ball linebackers, which suggests that Speights could maintain his starting role into 2025 and perhaps beyond. Still, a premium draft pick or veteran free agent addition could still unseat the UDFA.
4th-and-1 with the game on the line. Look who it is making the game-saving play for the Rams defense.
That would be Omar Speights!
Navigates traffic. Meets the ball carrier in the hole for no gain!
Also…look at that penetration from Bobby Brown III! pic.twitter.com/uhKTNI2jxe
— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) November 4, 2024
13 – Justin Dedich, iOL: UDFA
Severely undersized, but still valuable as a backup
A rookie with starting experience and the flexibility to play both guard and center? Yeah, that’s a keeper even if he doesn’t have long-term starting potential.
14 – Josh Wallace, CB: UDFA
He’s on the field, and that’s impressive in its own right
121 defensive snaps at corner in a mostly veteran secondary that includes the likes of Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, Tre White, and Ahkello Witherspoon? You have my attention at least.