Turf Show Times
The Los Angeles Rams are ready to capitalize on hot finishes following rough starts in the last two seasons. L.A.’s young talent is hopefully enough to get the team back to Super Bowl glory in 2025. Fortunately, the Rams have two of the best youngsters in the game, according to one prominent outlet.
Mike Jones of The Athletic named his top players 25 and under, with Puka Nacua and Jared Verse among L.A.’s entries. Nacua was slotted at No. 18 on the list:
“Even though a knee injury limited him to 11 games in 2024, Nacua nearly topped the 1,000-yard mark, finishing with 990 yards and three touchdowns on 79 catches. The year before, Nacua used textbook route running, versatility and sure hands to take the league by storm by recording 105 receptions for 1,486 yards.”
The All-Pro was among the six wideouts on the list, joining Ja’Marr Chase (1), Amon-Ra St. Brown (10), Malik Nabers (16), Garrett Wilson (17) and Brian Thomas Jr. (20).
I understand Chase, Brown and even Wilson being ahead of Nacua since they’ve been in the NFL longer. It’s somewhat perplexing why Nabers was rated two spots higher. But the more I think about it, Nabers setting the league record for most receptions by a rookie receiver was impressive considering the quarterback situation in New York.
Jared Verse was unsurprisingly the other Rams star to make the list, coming in at No. 22:
“With a huge hole in their defensive line left by Aaron Donald’s retirement, the Rams drafted Verse in the first round out of Florida State last season. Verse delivered in the form of a banner year that included Defensive Rookie of the Year honors after generating 76 pressures (second most in NFL history by a rookie behind Nick Bosa’s 81 in 2019), 4 1/2 sacks and 66 tackles.”
No matter where Nacua or Verse were placed, it only shows that Les Snead and the front office have done enough to stockpile the roster with emerging talent. The Rams are certainly set up well for the future, regardless of how the team performs this season.
