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Ben Skowronek: 7th-round pick to LA Rams captain

The LA Rams took a chance on a big-bodied wide receiver out of Notre Dame in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Suddenly, he has emerged as a team captain for the 2023 NFL season.

By Reese Evans

Las Vegas Raiders v Los Angeles Rams
Las Vegas Raiders v Los Angeles Rams / Kevin Sabitus/GettyImages
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Ben Skowronek
Super Bowl LVI - Los Angeles Rams v Cincinnati Bengals / Cooper Neill/GettyImages

The Next Step

Trust was contagious as Ben Skowronek was voted as one of seven captains of the 2023 Los Angeles Rams by his teammates, a prestigious honor in the NFL. A seventh-round pick becoming a captain is uncommon and should be celebrated. Skowronek has the faith of his coaches and teammates; they've selected him as one of their leaders.

Skowronek, 26, is entering his third NFL season with two years remaining on his rookie contract. He has found himself in a perfect situation with the Rams, a team that is now rebuilding one more. Despite an emphasis on rebuilding. he has a unique opportunity to enhance his role by showing up on the field.

Following the Rams placing Cooper Kupp on IR for the first four weeks of the season, Skowronek has a chance to capitalize. A common theme of Skowronek's career has been optimization; it seems he makes the best of any situation. With Kupp out the first four weeks of the season, Skowronek will have a healthy quarterback, Matthew Stafford, to play catch with. It may be apparent to some that the Rams are rebuilding, but Stafford hasn't gotten that memo.

Sunday's game in Seattle will be interesting, as many don't know what to expect of this year's version of the Rams. What's to be expected from Skowronek is consistency and versatility. With Kupp out, Skowronek will have to step up in the receiving game. Stafford needs a consistent target and will be scanning the field for that receiver. Coach McVay likes to move Skowronek around in a variety of offensive formations that can aid in executing blocks and creating mismatches in coverage.

Although Skowronek's impact is not always found through statistics, good statistics earn contract extensions. A season of 500 receiving yards would be more than successful for Skowronek. Opportunities abound this season. Will Ben Skowronek capitalize on those opportunities to begin the 2023 season? Find out on Sunday as the Rams begin their campaign against quarterback Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks.

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