Early buzz over 6 rookies has Rams fans begging for more in OTAs

Off the edge putting opposing QBs on edge

The Rams' pass rush is one of the greatest areas of improvement on the entire team, let alone the defense. So, adding to the young corps that has mastered getting after the opposing quarterback was never going to be easy. The front office needed someone who could keep pace with the rest of the guys, which meant agility and speed were a must.

But the team needed the ferociousness of a pit bull guarding its territory. Finally, the team needed to ensure that whoever joined the roster could manage to replicate the intensity and physicality. Since Superman is busy rebooting his series in a new movie, the Rams settled for Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart.

The Rams are not going to pick up right where they left off in the 2025 NFL Playoffs. After all, 16 quarterback sacks in just two games is simply unsustainable. But that is not to say that the Rams' pass rush automatically reverts to the anemic way it started in 2024.

While the Rams are getting more experience for young pass rushers, Stewart is talented enough to keep pace with the rest of his teammates. He is not going to compete for a starting role as a rookie. But he is so energetic and productive that he will earn his share of defensive snaps. And the other edge rushers who hoped to increase their roles in 2025 must show up in a big way to gain ground.

The Rams love passionate football players. Josaiah Stewart is passion personified. When he got the phone call, he was so overwhelmed that he made HC Sean McVay smile over his joyful reaction to the news..

Stewart is a dynamo of electrifying edge rushing ability. He is not just gifted at sacking quarterbacks, but he has a sneaky-good pass coverage ability that rivals that of a defensive back.

The one that didn't get away

The team sought Utah TE Dalton Kincaid in the 2023 NFL Draft, but didn't get him. The team sought Georgia TE Brock Bowers in the 2024 NFL Draft, but didn't get him either. Down in the count 0-2, the Rams stepped into the batter's box but stepped out in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. But when the Rams returned, the team got everything it wanted and smashed the 46th overall pick in Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft over the fence.

Of, so the Rams and fans hope.

It's hard to imagine that the team's front office would swing and miss for a third time. After all, the specs for tight end were a fire-drilled template that scouts knew like the backs of their hands. The Rams wanted a pass-catching tight end ala former Washington Commanders tight end Jordan Reed. Did the team manage to find the right guy, finally?

There are many reasons to believe in Terrance Ferguson in this offense in 2025.

While the Rams hadn't shown much interest in 12-personnel offensive plays in the past, the addition of Ferguson certainly adds that back to the menu. Even if he is simply eased into the offense this season, the team has to try to get him involved in catching passes. The Rams targeted the tight end 74 times in 2024. But the team targeted a healthy Tyler Higbee 70 times in 2023. I expect the offense to target Higbee around 60 times in 2025, while targeting Ferguson about 30 times. If Ferguson does well, that mix may be near a 50/50 split.

I appreciated HC Sean McVay's comments about Terrance Ferguson after Day 1 of OTAs. He is proud of his player, but is making a serious effort to give nothing away:

"Seen a guy (Terrane Ferguson) that has been real attentive in meetings, got a really good feel – you know, really, it is routes on air. And then what we saw today, which is a limited body of work. But just been really impressed with him, and really the rookie class as a whole. Our vets have done a good job welcoming these guys with open arms. But, looking forward to seeing him just continue to take it a step at a time. "

HC Sean McVay

Is Ferguson the guy the Rams wanted all along? As long as he can play and gets the opportunity to prove it in 2025, that is good enough for me.

As always, thanks so much for reading.

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