One thought on each Rams rookie

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.

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.

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.