Seven LA Rams events we are thankful for this year

VI – Rams rookies on offense are only beginning to show their upside

The LA Rams invested quite a bit of draft currency into their offensive skill players. The team chose RB Cam Akers with the 52nd pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Then, the team chose WR Van Jefferson with the 57th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Finally, the team chose TE Brycen Hopkins with the 136th pick of the NFL Draft.

The rationale behind the picks was to deepen the roster in 2020, but have potential starters on the roster for 2021.  The Rams veteran running back Malcolm Brown’s contract will expire at the end of this season. The Rams have two tight ends, Gerald Everett and Johnny Mundt, who face NFL Free Agency in 2021. And the team will likely allow WR Josh Reynolds to test the free agency market next year.

Slow to develop rookies

The Rams have taken it rather slow in terms of working their new rookie players into meaningful snaps on offense. But that could soon be changing. In an evenly matched Monday Night Football game against a very dangerous Tampa Bay Buccaneers team on the road, the Rams relied heavily upon the rookies in the red zone. Both Jefferson and Akers were on the receiving end of touchdown passes by Rams quarterback Jared Goff. The winning margin in the game? Just three points.

Will that change? It already is changing. The Rams are targeting rookies in the red zone, and the rookies are responding with touchdowns. That’s what HC McVay wants to see, and will ensure that he looks their way going forward. The Rams have six more games remaining. That is plenty of time to get a good read on their rookies.