8 Rams who are already turning heads at OTAs

V: Kicker Joshua Karty

I have already touted how solid rookie kicker Joshua Karty has appeared for the Rams in just the first few days of OTAs, but it warrants repeating. Rookie placekickers have a lot to grasp and digest, and the worst part of it all is the fact that the true test really arrives when the kicker lines up to make or miss his first game-winner.

Joshua Karty is already giving off vibes of a kicker who will make those kicks.

While the value of an elite placekicker may vary from year to year, there is no question that accuracy and power at kicking field goals can determine the outcome of more than one NFL game in any given season. And the LA Rams were simply too focused on other positions and aspects of their team's roster to invest heavily into the kicking role in 2023.

The team has not repeated that mistake this year.

The LA Rams selected former Stanford Cardinals' kicker Joshua Karty with the 209th overall pick in Round 6 of the 2024 NFL Draft. While that may seem like a valuable pick for a kicker, many draft analysts projected Karty to come off the board as early as Round 4. So even from an early assessment, Karty can be viewed as a steal.

Reese Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy declared Joshua Karty to be one of the best kickers to emerge from the college ranks in the past 5-10 years. That is a pretty high-level endorsement. Not just in what that means, but from the person making the claim. Ultimately, the proof is in the pudding. But Karty is checking every box so far, and that is great news for the team that needs an instant upgrade at the kicker position.