Darious Williams and 6 other Rams who are slept on as training camp opens

(6) - DT Kobie Turner

No player can be expected to take up the slack caused by the retirement of All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald. But at the same time, it's the absence of Donald that makes it so difficult for NFL Analysts and even Rams fans to recognize and acknowledge just how good The Conductor is in just two years in the NFL.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 297 pounds, this Round 3 selection from the 2023 NFL Draft has been deserving of NFL honors each season of his short but stellar career. He was robbed of DROY honors in 2023, despite topping all rookies with 9.0 quarterback sacks and facing more double-teams. Then, he turned right around and added 8.0 quarterback sacks and 10 tackles for a loss, while still getting double-teamed often.

Kobie Turner has played just 1,531 defensive snaps in two NFL seasons, but has already amassed 17.0 quarterback sacks, 119 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 29 quarterback hits, and deflected six passes. And yet, when it comes to sizing up the Rams defense, he is not among the first names that come to mind. Yet he is the heart of this defense, and he's not shying away from his leadership role:

In fact, he's embracing it.

The Rams have added NT Poona Ford, but I suspect that the tandem of Ford and Turner will generate unexpected synergy along the defensive front. Ford is as agile and powerful as Turner, and the combination of the two will force offensive linemen into choosing who to double-team, and that could free up Turner to make more plays more quickly.

I understand that Jared Verse and Braden Fiske are the flavors of the month right now. But Kobie Turner is just as hungry, and more experienced. He had a subtle Pro-Bowl quality season in 2024. He won't be as subtle about it in 2025.

(5) - C Coleman Shelton

I have been a fan of center Coleman Shelton from the moment that the Rams signed him off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad in 2019. I was following his progress as a versatile offensive lineman with the Washington Huskies, and saw his fit with the Rams in 2018. When he finally secured the starting center position for the Rams, I was there celebrating.

I don't subscribe to the belief that every player on the Rams roster must be at a Pro Bowl level or better. I'm content with filling the roster with complementary players who are durable, dependable, and can deliver. And Coleman Shelton is a player who checks all the boxes.

Shelton stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 285 pounds. While he may not tip the scales as far as some of his powerhouse teammates, he is incredibly effective because of his athleticism. Unlike some offensive linemen who roar out of their stances to hit like a wrecking ball, one powerful push, Shelton acts more like a jackhammer, repeatedly getting push against his foe with relentless ferocity.

Because he does not pancake his opponent in one shot, some view Shelton as struggling in his position. But if the goal is to keep defenders away from the quarterback and ball carriers, then Shelton is incredibly effective. And despite working between two struggling offensive guards in the Chicago Bears offensive line, Coleman Shelton had a respectable season.

One of the under-the-radar benefits of restoring Shelton to his starting center role on the offense is that he brings an uncanny ability to spring running backs for 100+ rushing yards. Shelton has a knack for getting through to the second and third levels of defenses, plowing the way open for running backs to find daylight. It started with RB Sony Mitchell, and happened with RB Cam Akers and Kyren Williams.

With the Rams bursting with running back talent in 2025, Coleman Shelton could be a significant factor in their success this season.