These Rams rookies are a busload of trouble for 2024 opponents

As the LA Rams front office prepared for the 2024 NFL Draft, the stakes were quite high. Not only did the team need to find multiple starters, but the primary focus of the draft was to restock the defense. The team has lost five starters, and had several other areas of need to upgrade the level of talent.

That was just on the defensive side of the football, and with just 11 picks.

But the same set of circumstances can be flipped and viewed in another way. The Rams have opportunities for a lot of rookies to earn key roles with the team in 2024. On defense alone the Rams have up to six chances for rookies to earn starting roles, and three more key rotational roles. That's quite a few spots to compete for.

The crazy part is that this 2024 Rams rookie class is up to the challenge. You could say that these Rams rookies are a busload of trouble for 2024 opponents:

There is always optimism and anticipation with every rookie class who joins the team. But this rookie class is special for multiple reasons. For openers, this is the encore to the team's 2023 NFL Draft, a draft that yielded three best in their position rookies without the benefit of a first round draft pick. Rookies like OLB Byron Young, NT Kobie Turner, and WR Puka Nacua not only started for the Rams in 2023, but were the best rookies of the season.

The second special quality for this rookie class is that there are so many rookies who seem to fit what the roster needs this season. Whether it's a linebacker who can cover, a defensive tackle who can stuff the run, or a defensive back who is a ball-hawking interception machine, this rookie class seems to have it all.

So let's break it down for you:

Rams offense

While the Rams are all but set on the offensive side of the football, several rookies deserve to be mentioned. While not all will be starters from Day 1 this season, there is ample depth just in case untimely injuries beset the team this season. While depth is the primary benefit to the team this year, there is always the chance that one or two surprises will stand out in training camp.

IOL Beaux Limmer is country-strong and a fireplug at any of the three interior offensive lineman positions. While he is unlikely to earn a start this year, if any of the three interior offensive linemen fall to injury, Limmer is good enough to make it very difficult for them to reclaim their starting role.

WR Drake Stoops is an undrafted wide receiver who has a chance of sticking on the Rams roster. He is the son of former Oklahoma Sooners HC Bob Stoops. Because Drake Stoops is a football legacy, his ability to understand offenses and what is asked of him will be accelerated throughout training camp.

And his father believes that is an ideal fit for the Rams offense.

WR Jordan Whittington is an under-the-radar wide receiver who is a custom fit for this offense as well. While many fans look to the guys who put up the most yardage and touchdowns, Whittington's early contributions will be doing the less sought-after tasks on this offense. While the fans may not notice his willingness to do the dirty work, the coaching staff will love his proficiency to block, run decoy routes to clear out holes in the secondary, and perhaps even run with the football.

RB Blake Corum puts nasty and unstoppable back into the Rams running back room. While I lean to bigger backs, the Rams continue to ignore those pleas. Perhaps Blake Corum is the ideal compromise? While he stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 213 pounds, he has a muscular physique that rivals that of Mighty Mouse. That does not seem to impact his speed nor his elusiveness.

I see Corum making an early impact on the Rams offense, and splitting the workload with teammate Kyren Williams this season. Could the Rams be positioned for two running backs who put 1000+ yards apiece? While it's unlikely, this offense has never been so well positioned to do so under Head Coach Sean McVay.

Rams Special Teams

Return specialists may come down to rookie WR Sam Wiglusz or DB Kenny Logan Jr. Even though veterans are in the mix, either prospect has the advantage of being young and having nothing to lose. After all, the key to earning a roster spot for undrafted rookies is to stand out on special teams, and then slowly work their way to a role on either offense or defense.

Wiglusz had significant experience at returning kickoffs, with some experience at returning punts. At 6-foot-0 and 183 pounds, he has a chance to earn a role returning punts and kickoffs. Kenny Logan has the inverse experience, as he specialized in punt returns, and dabbled in kick returns. Logan stands 6-foot-0 and weighs 205 pounds. He even returned one punt for a touchdown.

Kicker Joshua Karty could be a huge addition for the team in 2024. Cited as an epic kicker who has not been seen in the last five or ten years, Karty was surprisingly the second kicker selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. But however he has arrived, he is wearing The Horns now, and will likely be doing so for the foreseeable future.

Karty is a rare blend of confidence, accuracy, and power. All three are vital to the success at the kicker position. He has been a vital weapon for the Stanford Cardinals, and the plan is to become just as dangerous for the Rams. While rookies can have some struggles acclimating to the bright lights and huge stage of NFL games, Karty seems to be confident enough to handle the pressure.

We know how quickly fans warmed up to Pro Bowl kicker Matt Gay. The same reception is waiting for Joshua Karty in 2024.

Rams defense: Part I

The Rams defense is ripe for rookie contributors. With the retirement of Aaron Donald, this defense is truly writing a brand new chapter. Led by inside linebacker Earnest Jones, the group is looking for rookies to step up practically everywhere. I see this group of eight rookies as having the greatest chance to make an impact this season.

DT Tuli Letuligasenoa is a sleeper who could end up surprising some folks this year. He competed for five seasons in the Pac-10. and started three seasons for the Washington Huskies. He is a consistent if not outstanding defensive lineman. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 292 pounds, he certainly has the size to compete in professional football. If he can add some pass rush moves to his arsenal, he has a real chance to make this roster.

DE Anthony Goodlow may seem to be second-fiddle to Missouri rookie DE Darious Robinson, but don't judge too hastily. He is a steady-freddie in term of competing on the defensive line. Rather than quick bursts, twitchy moves, and a sudden burst towards the quarterback, Goodlow is a defender who wins by determination and resolve. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 283 pounds, he has the right size but needs to refine his techniques. He is productive, but look for DL Coach Giff Smith to level him up.

DT Tyler Davis is a defensive tackle who may be a bargain for this defense. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 300 pounds, Davis is a powerful defender who has the versatility to compete at multiple positions on the defensive line of scrimmage. He is a productive player who is willing to take on the role of blocker-gobble to ensure his teammates are free and clear to make plays. He has all of the raw skills of an NFL player. He simply needs a bit of coaching refinement to optimize his abilities.

DT Braden Fiske may face high expectations in his rookie season, but he has the passion and energy level to exceed even the most optimistic projections. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 295 pounds, Fiske is a raging Furyan (see The Chronicles of Riddick) who loves to create havoc like a tempest loves to dash ships against a rocky coastline.

Fiske can stuff the run, can stalk opposing quarterbacks like a lion stalks a wildebeest, and throw up his arms to knock down passes. He is a defensive fixer, a guy who loves to step up in critical moments of a game, and make huge momentum changing plays. Fans will love this guy because he plays with so much passion and energy.

Rams defense: Part II

LB Omar Speights could be just what the team has been looking for in terms of a teammate for ILB Ernest Jones. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 235 pounds, Speights is a high-production tackler who started four season in the SEC, an accomplishment in its own right.

Speights is a true competitor who has the chops to step up for the Rams in 2024. While Ernest Jones has the fortitude and strength to play the enforcer at the inside linebacker position, Speights has a bit of bloodhound in him, sniffing out the play and timing his arrival to coincide with the football.

DB Josh Wallace is another undrafted rookie who played five seasons in NCAA football, the last season for the NCAA Champion Michigan Wolverines. Standing 6-foot-0 and weighing 190 pounds, he has the right size to compete for playing time instantly. Wallace specializes in zone defense, adept at picking up and passing off receivers. While not a ball-hawking corner, he scores high marks on route recognition, breakin up passes, and in avoiding biting on double fakes and playing out of position.

DB Kamren Kinchens may be one of my favorite rookies. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 205 pounds, he has a compact muscular frame that will bode well for him in competing for a starting safety role in the secondary. His super power is his ball hawking skills, and he is incredibly effective at picking off passes. With the void of both Jordan Fuller and John Johnson III, the Rams have set up competition at the safety position to team up with hard hitting veteran Kamren Curl. Kinchens has ideal skillsets, as he is a savage defensive back who can line up in center field or in the slot.

If the Rams defense has set creating turnovers as a priority for 2024, Kinchens is the guy.

OLB Jared Verse was selected with the 19th overall pick, but was viewed on many draft big boards as the premier edge rusher in this draft. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 250 pounds, Verse is a Day 1 starter, a dynamo of defensive energy that never fades. He has a polished array of pass-rush moves and counter moves, and the knowledge of when and how to use them.

He is consistently productive, getting to the quarterback like clockwork. He has tremendous power, making his bull rush one of his most feared pass rush moves. But he has the bend of a Gumby doll when hairpinning the corner to get to the quarterback. His athleticism is off the charts, but he does not rely on his athleticism to make plays. He simply has the ability to outhustle and outmuscle his opponent if the situation calls for it.

That's a quick look out some of the team's key rookies for 2024. Who do you see as the best contributor in 2024?

As always, thank you for reading.