Give LA Rams GM Les Snead his due after Round 6 sweep already shining

There has been a lot of discussion, debate, praise, and disclaimers about the LA Rams' willingness to trade up in the 2024 NFL Draft to create the opportunity of synergy to roster two former Florida State Seminoles defensive standouts. After all, based on the investment required to trade up in Round 2, the Rams' draft strategy seemed to view both OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske as Round 1 talents. Based on the team's decision to hold both Verse and Fiske out of the team's first preseason game, the decision to add both players to the team was very wise.

But what about the team's mastery of Day 3 draft selection?

While the team has seemed to specialize in Day 3 talent in the past, the Rams continue to deliver in the later rounds in the draft year after year. Of 10 draft selections made in the 2024 NFL Draft, the team chose six players on Day 3. Of those six players, two rookies are dealing with injuries: OLB Brennan Jackson (soft tissue) and OL KT Leveston (ankle).

But four players did show up and play in the first preseason game for the team. And each player showed up in a big way on the football field:

So let's break it down for you.

DT Tyler Davis

From the start of the game, it seemed as though Rams' rookie defensive tackle Tyler Davis was making plays. He ended the game with six tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one quarterback hit. But he seemed to be far more productive than that. He even made s stop behind the line of scrimmage while HC Sean McVay was plugged into the broadcast booth, so fans had an opportunity to hear his reaction in live action:

It was clear that Tyler Davis was prepared for Game 1 of the Rams preseason. If he follows up with another fine performance, he will surely earn a rotational role on the defensive front.

K Joshua Karty

You could not have hoped for more out of rookie kicker Joshua Karty in the first preseason game. He was never tasked with making any long field goals, but he did make two fields goals on two attempts, one from 28 yards and one from 39 yards. He also kicked the game winning extra point. So far, so good.

While it's not the regular season yet, the fans have to be breathing a sigh of relief over the first indiation that the team may have found their placekicker of the future. Until now, the draft analysts proclaiming that Karty could prove to be the best kicker to come out of college football in the past five to ten years have been pure sales pitch. But after one preseason game, fans have solid evidence that he could be the answer to the post-Matt Gay dilemma facing the team.

WR Jordan Whittington

Despite being picked with the 213th overall pick in Round 6 of the 2024 NFL Draft, it seems that the Rams have done it again by finding another diamond in the rough. Despite all of the pre-draft hype about so many other rookie wide receivers, the highest-graded rookie wide receiver in the first week of preseason games is Rams WR Jordan Whittington.

And he was catching passes from backup QB Stetson Bennett, a quarterback that many are already the team release after just one preseason game.

The thing is, WR Jordan Whittington is a huge physical wide receiver who gives defenses a rather unique challenge. If the defense covers him with a defensive back, he outmuscles them. If the defense tries to cover him with a linebacker, his speed and crisp route-running create separation. If the defense tries to use a safety to cover him, he has solid elusiveness and speed to leave them in the dust. He may not be the Rams' top receiver in 2024, but he will be a key contributor going forward.

C Beaux Limmer

It was clear to me that even though Beaux Limmer is listed as the third center on the team's unofficial depth chart, he is the best backup center on the roster. That fact was obvious as the offensive line created pristine quarterback pockets and huge running lanes in the first half. It was not until Limmer was injured and replaced by Mike McAlister that the offensive line seemed to struggle a bit.

Limmer is a powerful offensive lineman, capable of squatting 700 pounds. His power was on full display as he man-handled whomever the Dallas Cowboys pitted against him on their defensive line. He was a rookie prospect projected to come off the board as early as Round 3. But somehow, he remained on the board and fell to the Rams at the 217th overall selection.

He is playing behind second-year sensation Steve Avila for now. But if there is a need to promote an interior offensive lineman this season, you have to believe that Beaux Limmer will be ready to start.

It's a bit of a disappointment that neither Washington State OLB Brennan Jackson or Kansas State OL KT Leveston were able to suit up and compete against the Dallas Cowboys. Were they healthy enough to play, I am confident that we would be touting their performance as well.

While it is a difficult task for 10 rookies to make the Rams roster after the 2023 rookie draft class all earned roster spots last season, but they all played very well. Of course, that is just one preseason game, with two more to go. But I can't seem them letting their foot off the accelerator. This group of rookies all share a strong passion for football. And that will be enough to earn a chance to play for this team in 2024.

That is GM Les Snead's 'North Star'. And it's what makes his Day 3 draft selection so uncannily successful.

Thanks for reading.