July 2020 brings LA Rams to training camp, are they ready?

Special teams tryouts

The LA Rams special teams units are where most of the team’s training camp tryouts will occur. After all, the only true starters for the unit are long snapper Jake McQuaide and punter Johnny Hekker. Beyond those two players, all spots are up for grabs. That even goes for the kicker position, where rookie Sam Sloman will compete against XFL kicker Austin MacGinnis and CFL kicker Lirim Hajrullahu.

While the field goal kickers compete, the Rams must also determine the other players who will cover the kickoffs, punts, and conversely set up for the kickoff or punt returns.

UDFA signings will excel

The LA Rams signed 22 rookies after the 2020 NFL Draft. Of that group, nearly 18 players are ideally suited to compete for and make a positive impact upon the Rams special teams units this year. The rookie class arriving at this Rams roster is incredibly quick, strong, and hungry. Thanks to an imperfect draft process combined with a deep and talented class, the Rams were able to load up on NFL-worthy talent after the draft concluded.

That will mean a rapid turnaround for the Rams’ special teams. Since one of the most certain ways to make this Rams roster is excelling at special teams, both coverage and return teams will be especially competitive this year. Veterans hoping to slide into the 2020 roster will have no such luck, as the new coach will be looking to fill the roster with “his” players. That will mean some turnover in 2020 and a very competitive team in the 2020 NFL season.