3 Rams rookies who defy NFL draft analysts by beating expectations in 2024

Ah yes. time to laud the LA Rams front office over their unexpected penchant for sniffing out draft value. When the team lost personnel executive Brad Holmes to become the General Manager of the Detroit Lions, the Rams 2021 NFL Draft class seemed to regress considerably. While that raised concerns over the effectiveness of the team to assess and select rookies in future drafts, it was a false alarm.

The front office landed multiple NFL-worthy players on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft. But in the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts, the scouting department and personnel office appeared to have a better sense of the future than the entire Sith faction from Star Wars, and even a better grasp of what would be than 1980s infomercial sensation, The Psychic Friends Network.

But with so many hot rookies on the Rams roster, it's easy to be star-struck with the first few players named in the 2024 NFL Draft by the team but gloss over the remaining group of drafted (and undrafted) rookies. So let's revisit our initial assessments of three players added to the roster, and then explore how well they've performed this season.

The Rams are one of the few teams that does not automatically pencil in rookies as either starters or rotational players. Ironically, the team is one of the few teams in the NFL that truly affords undrafted college free agents a shot at earning a roster spot and playing time on the team. The two scenarios are not mutually exclusive, and here's why.

As soon as OTA and mini-camp, the coaches not only instruct, but note the engagement of rookies. In the assessment process, it's not just who makes the plays in training camp, but who puts in the work. To make this roster, a player must show that they want to play well, not simply do so. And that eye-of-the-tiger edge is what coaches look for from the first introductions to their young players.

Such as:

DB Kam Kinchens

Despite the abundance of talent in the 2024 NFL Draft for defensive back needy teams, the Rams opted to add just one rookie prospect to the team's secondary during the 2024 NFL Draft. Curiously, the team did not target a single cornerback but did select Miami safety Kamren Kinchens

We loved him when he was drafted. In fact, here is what I had to say at the time:

"What you will love instantly is the fact that he knows how, where, and when to make his break on the football. Kinchens is not a reckless defensive back who showboats by going for big plays that allow even bigger plays against him. He is pickpocket defensive back, a master craftsman who lures the quarterback and receiver to sleep with the appearance of being open, and then he strikes like a python and takes it the other way."

Bret Stuter

Of course, projections of any rookie when drafted are speculation, as nobody knows the future. So, how did I do? Well, you tell me:

Kinchens did not break into the rotation quickly. Through the first four gams of 2024, Kinchens played just 81 defensive snaps, resulting in 13 tackles and no pass break ups. But in the past three games, he has played 121 defensive snaps, with 12 tackles, one forced fumble, three interceptions, including one pick-six of 103 yards, and one fumble recovery.

As he continues to gain experience and learn the nuances of the NFL, he is showcasing his true ball-hawking potential. Three picks in three games is just the beginning. He is rapidly becoming a full NFL defensive back. As a rookie, that is solid groundwork for a successful NFL career.

IOL Beaux Limmer

Yes, I know I've been trumpeting Beaux Limmer's name almost daily, but singing the praises of a Round 6 rookie offensive lineman is not something that anyone has much opportunity to do this season. And considering the fact that Limmer arrived to the team no higher than the third offensive center on the depth chart, his ascension to the starting center is nothing short of a miraculous maneuver.

Am I biased? Yes. But here's why:

When the Rams drafted former Arkansas center Beaux Limmer, the team added a beach bully who is as strong as an ox and as mean as a bull. In my initial grade of Limmer as a rookie, I pointed out that Limmer was the only true center on the roster, That alone makes him an ideal player on the roster. But Limmer was the highest quality modeling clay, and merely needed the right coaching to deliver a sensation season.

"What I like most about Limmer here is the fact that he has an incredibly high football IQ that merely needs to have his techniques refined. That is something that OL Coach Ryan Wendell can address in training camp. The Rams have some quality backups looking to earn a roster spot in 2024. But there is always room for one more, and Beaux Limmer has that passionate approach to his craft that gets his name called out here.

"

Bret Stuter

It appears that is what he got.

As soon as he arrived on the team, coaches instantly recognized that they landed a powerhouse at the center position. Unlike many of the team's expected starters, however, Limmer participated in all three preseason games. So it was not as though he was given a roster spot. He had to earn it. And earn it he did:

But the team seemed to load up on interior offensive linemen. Fortunately, they did. Both veteran Jonah Jackson and Steve Avila opened the season with injuries, forcing the team to turn to rookie Beaux Limmer. So how did Limmer do so far as an unanticipated starter for the Rams' offensive line?

Whenever Stafford is safe in the pocket, he throws touchdown passes. Whenever Limmer starts at the center position, the Rams have done very well at protecting Stafford. In fact, the Rams have not allowed a single sack in three games this year.

And Beaux Limmer was the starting center in all three games.

DB Jaylen McCollough

It's mind boggling to realize that one of the NFL's interception leaders is an undrafted rookie out of Tennessee who signed with the LA Rams after the 2024 NFL Draft. That player is defensive back Jaylen McCollough, and he is tied at fourth-place among all NFL interception leaders.

But where it really becomes unbelievable is the fact that McCollough has only played on 152 out of a possible 655 defensive snaps. That translates into a defensive back who sees only 23 percent of the action. So how is it that he stands among NFL leaders? He is simply that good.

We noted McCollough's rise to top in preseason. The problem with McCollough getting more playing time is the fact that the Rams secondary seems to be overflowing with talent at the safety position, while a bit shy of talent and numbers at the cornerback position. To compensate for the lopsidedness, DC Chris Shula rotates four safeties and three cornerbacks into the secondary to keep opposing quarterbacks guessing.

Occasionally, those quarterbacks fail to notice McCollough on the football field. That's when he strikes like a coiled python:

McCollough not only leads the Rams with four interception, but he has a pick-six among the group as well. Despite his ability to snag passes for interceptions, he continues to be no better than a rotational player in this secondary. With both Kam Curl and Quentin Lake locking down 100 percent of the starting safety snaps, McCollough splits his time with Kamren Kinchens.

Between Kinchens and McCollough, the secondary has seven interceptions in 10 games. Two of those interceptions ended as touchdowns.

While he may not pry a starting role away from either Curl or Lake, McCollough certainly has filled a vital role on the defense. Best of all, he is doing so without ever hearing his name called out in an NFL Draft.

As always, thanks for reading.

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