Turf Show Times
Sean McVay is not afraid to put his youngsters on the field
If the Los Angeles Rams training camp and opening roster run true to form, all six of the 2025 L.A. draftees are a good bet to make the opening roster. Since pairing up in 2017, General Manager Les Snead and Head coach Sean McVay have placed a little over 88% of drafted rookies on the initial 53. There were six others who began their careers on the Injured Reserve List (IR) and would go on to a spot on the roster when healed.
Not only do these prospects make the roster, McVay gets them on the field. This may be contrary to popular belief, but is true just the same. Rookies are not necessarily given a lot of starting roles, but in almost all cases, they get looks. Whether that be in rotation, packages or on special teams (ST), catch an eye and you get better, longer looks.
Researching back to the 2021 NFL Draft, I collected snap counts and attributed them to prospects drafted. The final numbers are in the conclusion and while draft status certainly plays a big role, the later selections also get the extra snap of special teams.
Here’s a look at the individual draftees.
#19 - E Jared Verse
Played a tad under 80% of defensive snaps. Verse’ performance was just what you would expect from a Round 1 pick, a solid rookie season punctuated by flashes of brilliance, and plenty of ceiling to reach.
#39 - DT Braden Fiske
Played in all 19 contests with eight starts. His 661 defensive reps were 2nd on the Rams interior and Fiske led the team in sacks and forced fumbles. Chipped in 79 special team’s snaps.
#83 - Blake Corum
Brought along slowly, Corum did get a taste in every regular season game and started the season finale versus Seattle. He played in a modest 119 offensive snaps, but added 186 on ST, with 70+ coming as a kickoff returner.
#99 - Kamren Kinchens
Kinchens didn’t play much in Weeks 1 and 2. Injury put him in for Weeks 3 and 4, but he struggled and fell back. Took advantage of another shot in Week 9, and by playing well, won a place in the rotation. Played 514 reps on defense and 117 on ST.
#154 - E Brennan Jackson
Battled on/off with soft tissue woes as a rookie, limited to 47 defensive plays and 56 more on ST.
#196 - DT Tyler Davis
Played in 17 games, earning a start in playoff game versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Had 299 defensive snaps, the majority in the second half of the season.
#209 - K Josh Karty
After a few missed PAT’s early gave fans the willy’s, Karty settled down and delivered a solid season, converting 85.3% of 34 field goal attempts. Doesn’t do kickoffs, but showed he has the leg with five touchbacks out of six kicks, in the one game he...
