Turf Show Times
In the NFL, the future for talent is in Rounds 1, 2, and 3
With only the mandatory mini-camp remaining, the Los Angeles Rams spring Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are nearing their end. Since these workouts are limited in how much “team” work can be done, they are primarily meant for physical conditioning, setting proper foundational technique in drills, and getting up to speed, whether veterans on new offense/defense installations or newcomers learning how the Rams do things.
Currently, L.A. has 88 of 90 roster spots filled and were unscathed injury wise. I matched practice photo’s from the Rams official website to a roster card, all players except one were accounted for and only the QB’s had on red jerseys (no touch). Rob Havenstein was the lone non-participant, recuperating from getting both shoulders cleaned out.
Every preseason, I do a piece on the draft status of the roster. While draft position is not the be-all-end-all determinant for NFL success, it is a very successful indicator of top NFL play. Top talent equates to winning teams and while I bond with other fans enjoying an underdog story, the best players go early in the draft for a reason.
From 2012 to 2023, for position players, over 50% of AP All-Pro’s have been selected in Rounds 1 and 2, with the number going well above 60% when including Round 3. Add to that last year, where 22 of 24 (91.66%) position players were drafted in Round 3 or better. With only fullback Patrick Ricard (UDFA) and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (4th) as outliers.
Here’s the Rams 2024 post-OTA roster, their draft status and team of origin.
CB Emmanuel Forbes ’23 (Washington), QB Matthew Stafford ’09 (Detroit ), E Jared Verse ‘24
WR Tutu Atwell ’21, G Steve Avila ’23, DT Braden Fiske ’24, QB Jim Garappolo ’14 (New England), T Rob Havenstein ’15, TE Terrance Ferguson ‘25, WR Davante Adams ’14 (Green Bay)
RB Blake Corum ’24, S Kamren Kinchens ’24, DT Kobie Turner ’23, CB Ahkello Witherspoon ’17 (San Francisco), E Byron Young ’23, E Josaiah Stewart ‘25
G Kevin Dotson ’20 (Pittsburgh), CB Cobie Durant ’22, TE Tyler Higbee ’16, TE Colby Parkinson ’20 (Seattle), RB Jarquez Hunter ’25, QB Stetson Bennett ’23,
TE Davis Allen ’23, E Nick Hampton ’23, E Brennan Jackson ’24, T Warren McClendon ’23, WR Puka Nacua ’23, RB Kyren Williams ’22, DT Ty Hamilton ’25, LB Chris Paul ’25, WR Quintez Cephus ’20 (Detroit), DT Larrell Murchison ’18 (Tennessee), LB Tony Fields ’21 (Cleveland)
DT Tyler Davis ’24, K Josh Karty ’24, S Quentin Lake ’22, C Beaux Limmer ’24, C Dylan McMahon ’24 (Philadelphia), WR Jordan Whittington ’24, T David Quessenberry ’13 (Houston), CB Derion Kendrick ‘22
T AJ Arcuri ’22, S Kamren Curl ’20 (Washington), P Ethan Evans ’23, DT Desjuan Johnson ’23, WR Konata Mumpfield ’25, G KT Leveston...
