The Rams roster is ripe with rookie players who could astound fans

The times they are a'changing. That's right. For the first time in the tenure of LA Rams head coach Sean McVay, the Rams return to action after a sub-.500 season. While some have taken the deep dark disappointment from one season ago and presumed that this team will get no better from the experience, there is another school of thought that few have dared to mention, let alone discuss.

The LA Rams are changing their ways.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to say that the Rams are on some form of the NFL's double secret probation. I'm merely stating the obvious. The entire Rams organization has all the time in the world to self assess and recognize that whatever was the strategy used last season is not longer effective.

For years, the LA Rams have held a tight grip on affording rookies a chance to play in their first NFL seaon. But this year, the Rams chances of success literally depend on it. On offense, the Rams are almost certainly banking on rookie IOL Steve Avila to step in as the Day 1 starter. And there is a rising belief that rookie WR Puka Nacua and RB Zach Evans could be significant contributors this season as well.

Opportunity knocks

The LA Rams' defense will almost certainly embrace rookies this season. Rookie DL Kobie Turner, OLB Byron Young, DB Tre Tomlinson, and DB Jason Taylor II are names of just a few players who are expected to generate real contributions this year.

But no area of the LA Rams roster is more dependent on rookies than special teams, the unit that will likely start a rookie punter, kicker, long snapper, and perhaps even a return specialist. That's a huge leap of faith for a team that had hesitated to give such a hugely responsible role to a young player.

This is a unique moment, both for the team and the fans. How will everyone handle the vast number of first-time NFL players? Will social media erupt each and every time that a rookie stumbles this season? Will we continue to overdramatize the ups and downs that occur in each and every NFL rookies career?

Or will we sit back and enjoy the ride: Both the struggles and the successes? One thing is certain. The Rams have never handed out so many opportunities to shine in the NFL to so many rookies in one season before. While that could mean a horrendous season, that's not certain. In fact, thanks to so many new opportunities and excellent coaching hires, this could be a turning point for the Rams.

The Rams roster is ripe with rookie players who could astound fans in the 2023 NFL season. All they need is the chance to do so. Well, like it or not, those opportunities appear to be inevitable.