Turf Show Times
Les Snead and company scored glowing reviews across the board for LA’s incoming freshman class
The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone for the Los Angeles Rams and early indications are that Les Snead hit another home run.
National outlets have largely approved of LA’s incoming draft class which is much-needed news in Hollywood. The Rams are looking to build on their solid ‘23 campaign and it would appear Snead and company have only added to the team’s promising foundation. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. gave LA a B+ and called first-rounder Jared Verse a “10-sacks-per-season guy,” despite being a “difficult evaluation” for the draft guru.
“L.A. got excellent rookie seasons from Byron Young and Kobie Turner in 2023, and GM Les Snead has started putting together his plan for life without Aaron Donald, who retired this offseason.
Speaking of, Snead traded up in Round 2 for a potential starter at defensive tackle in Braden Fiske (39), getting Carolina’s pick but surrendering Nos. 52 and 155 along with an extremely valuable 2025 second-rounder. Fiske had 11.5 sacks when lined up as DT over the past two seasons, which were the second most in the FBS. He isn’t going to be Donald — one of the greatest defensive linemen in NFL history — but Fiske can wreak some havoc. Still, I have to downgrade it a little bit because of that 2025 pick.”
Kiper stated he wanted to give the Rams an A- but had to mark them down a letter grade because of the 2025 second-round pick given up to select Fiske. However, he acknowledged there were several talented players that could boost the roster moving forward.
Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus also gave LA’s draft class a B+. Like Kiper, Sikkema praised Verse and considered him to be “arguably the best power rusher in the class,” being a firm believer in his potential. The PFF analyst also appeared somewhat bothered by the somewhat lofty compensation sent to the Panthers for the opportunity to land Fiske.
Yet, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter was in wait-and-see mode regarding the transaction. Reuter did not dock the Rams for the trade up and gave them an A- overall. LA received an A for the Verse selection, a B+ on Day 2 and a B- for their Day 3 picks.
“The run on offensive players in Round 1 allowed the Rams to land a bargain edge rusher (which they really needed) in Verse, their first first-round pick since 2016. Fiske will help make up for the loss of Aaron Donald to retirement, but we’ll have to see if it made sense to trade a 2025 second-rounder to acquire him instead of getting Michael Hall at their original pick (No. 52; he went to the Browns 54th overall). Corum will play bigger and faster than his numbers indicate, and Kinchens is a downhill player at a soft spot for the Rams.
Jackson and Davis bolster the depth on the defensive...
