How 6 Rams rookies can flip the entire NFC Playoff race on its ear in Week 3

(5) - RB Blake Corum

Despite all of the off-season euphoria over adding Michigan running back Blake Corum to the Rams roster, the results have yet to show up. Not only is the running game not getting much production out of the rookie, but the Rams rushing offense is horrible. So far, the offense has rushed for 136 yards in the first two games of the season. That is good enough for 31st best ground attack out of 32 teams in the NFL. And that is after investing in offensive linemen, tight ends, and running backs.

Blake Corum has rushed eight times for 28 yards in a mop up period of Week 2, long after the game was already decided.

Two games. 28 yards. That has to be a mistake, right?

Nope. It's a familiar story of the Rams shopping for offensive weapons in the offseason, but failing to use those new players until the veterans are burned through and the team has no alternative. Well, with the offense no long boasting TE Tyler Higbee, WR Cooper Kupp, or WR Puka Nacua, someone has to step up. Blake Corum was the Wolverines' workhorse. Let's load him up for Week 3 and see how he does. It's not like the team has many better options.

I believe that Corum can rush for 80+ yards and a touchdown in Week 3. Feed Corum the ball, and see what happens.

(4) - DT Braden Fiske

When the LA Rams traded up for Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske, the team declared Fiske to be the equivalent of a Round 1 talent. So far, the team is getting Day 2 production out of him. In 99 defensive snaps, Fiske has recorded eight tackles, no quarterback sacks, no tackles for a loss, and two quarterback pressures. That's simply not good enough.

No, I'm not saying that he is a 'bust' whatsoever. But the Rams defense clearly needs help, someone to step up, and the team did invest significant value into Fiske to ensure that both he and his Seminoles' sack partner Jared Verse would compete in the NFL together for their first four NFL seasons.

Like Verse, Fiske is good. But this defense needs great, and he is just not there yet. He was held out of preseason games and joint practices for various reasons. But now, Week 3 is a perfect opportunity to seize the stage and make momentum-changing stops. Fiske needs to do more than show up. He needs to assert himself as a sure-handed tackler. The defense needs to get better in almost every way. Fiske could do the team a great service by leading his teammates in that direction.

Fiske can put up 1.0+ quarterback sacks and six tackles in Week 3.