Rams HC McVay boasts about outstanding rookies after mandatory mini camp

Future Seminoles defensive stars

The first two players named by HC Sean McVay as standing out so far naturally turned to rookie OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske. In Coach McVay's own words:

"They (OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske) have really made a tremendous impact. You feel them. They are conscientious. They love football. They are coachable. They have got the instincts, (and) they have got the work ethic."

- Coach McVay

That is pretty substantial praise coming from the head coach at this early juncture.

But without having seen what Coach McVay has seen, much of what he is stating aligns perfectly with what I had expected the team to find with their two defensive front rookies. Not only are both players worthy of strong positives from their individual abilities, but the combination of their crushing chemistry on this defensive front is almost as though they have tested out of their rookie season to enter the NFL as second-year players.

I anticipate we'll see even more evidence of that when the pads go on.

He also calls out the performance of Washington State rookie outside linebacker Brennan Jackson and defensive tackle Tyler Davis. Whether Coach McVay was simply checking the boxes or truly pleased with the draft class to his defensive front is up to you to decide. After all, even Coach McVay acknowledges that there is only so much any coach can glean about a player until the pads go on.

This rookie quartet has a huge burden of competing in the first season on this defense without the benefit of All-Pro DL Aaron Donald. Not only will they not benefit from competing alongside him, but they must face a season with expectations that may not have adjusted enough to consider AD's absence. Still, being mentioned by the head coach in a positive manner is very promising indeed.

But I don't think McVay embellishes a rookie who is undeserving. We've witnessed enough of the post-game press conferences to recognize when he is happy or not so happy with the team.