The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2024 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2024 Football Preview.
With 2024 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2024 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Los Angeles Rams, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Who are the Los Angeles Rams rookies?
- Jared Verse — EDGE — Round 1
- Braden Fiske — DT — Round 2
- Blake Corum — RB — Round 3
- Kamren Kinchens — S — Round 3
- Brennan Jackson — EDGE — Round 5
- Tyler Davis — DT — Round 6
- Joshua Karty — K — Round 6
- Jordan Whittington — WR — Round 6
- Beaux Limmer — C — Round 6
- KT Leveston — OG — Round 7
Los Angeles Rams Draft Class Grade:
The Los Angeles Rams received an A draft grade from Sharp Football.
Which Rams Rookies Will Make An Impact?
The Rams knew they couldn’t replace Aaron Donald with just one guy, so they double dipped on pass-rushers with Jared Verse (first round) and Braden Fiske (second round).
Verse will line up on the edge and is likely to start opposite Byron Young, who was one of the league’s standout rookie edge rushers last season. The one question Verse faces is whether he has enough athleticism to set a high ceiling in the NFL. Verse’s production dropped off against top competition in college.
Fiske is also likely to see significant action immediately and is more of a true replacement for Donald, though you can’t replace Donald’s production with one person, which is why both additions were critical to rebuilding the offensive line. When lined up on the interior, Fiske generated a 9.3% pressure rate, ranked fifth in the ACC. Fiske may see more action on passing downs early in his career because he lacks the ideal length/strength combination to consistently hold up against the run.
The Rams also added Brennan Jackson (fifth round) to the defensive line. He spent six years at Washington State with inconsistent production, so the ceiling is not high but he will add some depth to the unit.
Blake Corum (third round) was an odd selection due to a lack of need and a significant gamble in the third round. Corum looked like a potential early-round pick two years ago before a season-ending knee injury. In 2023, however, he was three yards and a cloud of dust. When accounting for defenders in the box and the inside/outside direction of the run, Corum gained 31% more yards than expected with 23% more yards after contact than expected in 2022. Last season, those numbers dropped to 8.2% more yards than expected and 8% fewer yards after contact than expected.
Kamren Kinchens (third round) excels as a ball hawk in the deep secondary. Jordan Fuller departed as a free agent, which gives Kinchens a chance to compete with Russ Yeast for a starting role. The free agent addition of Kamren Curl likely has limited impact on Kinchens, as Curl is a more traditional strong safety. In 2023, Kinchens made a play on the ball once every 30 snaps in coverage in the deep secondary, the second-best rate in the ACC.
Tyler Davis (sixth round) was a highly regarded recruit who started as a true freshman at Clemson but never fully met expectations during his five-year career. He generated a forgettable 4.3% pressure rate from the interior last year. Davis lacks elite athletic traits and doesn’t have the strength or length to be dominant at nose tackle, so he’s likely just a depth piece.
Drafting kickers is always risky, even late on Day 3, so it’s hard to be excited about the selection of Joshua Karty (sixth round). The last time the Rams drafted a kicker (Sam Sloman, 2020) he was cut before the end of his rookie year. That said, Karty was 24-of-25 on kicks between 35 and 50 yards over the last two seasons, so he may have the consistency needed to lock down the job.
Jordan Whittington (sixth round) was a steady slot receiver at Texas throughout his career but never elevated his game to another level. For a slot receiver with experience at running back in his early college career, his lack of production after the catch was disappointing. Based on route-adjusted data, Whittington gained 1.9% fewer yards after the catch than expected in 2023.
Beaux Limmer (sixth round) stayed on the board longer than expected and could be a valuable addition to the Rams' depth on the interior offensive line. KT Leveston (seventh round) spent six years at Kansas State but didn’t become a full-time starter until his redshirt senior year.
This was a potentially pivotal draft for the Rams in their quest to reset the defense following the loss of Donald. With three potential starters added to that side of the ball to pair with last year’s breakout rookies Young and Kobie Turner, the Rams have a ton of young talent on defense.
This analysis continues in the 2024 Football Preview
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