Rams minicamp proves that it has learned valuable lesson from recent drafts

The Los Angeles Rams stumbled into a bit of a discovery when they drafted OLB Byron Young and NT Kobie Turner in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. While the team was confident in both Young and Turner's talents and potential, it was a bit of a surprise when both rookies exceeded expectations. The duo was surprisingly effective, pushing each other out of the friendly competition forged in training camp.

Were the Rams onto something?

To see if the results could be replicated, the team made it a deliberate choice to draft two players in the 2024 draft that already had forged a strong bond of friendship in Florida State OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske. Once more, the results exceeded expectations. In the past two NFL drafts, the Rams front office had drafted four rookies who were in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year, and added one DROY to the roster.

Were the Rams just that lucky? Or did they prove that strong bonds of friendship among young players translate into superior performance?

Maui minicamp makes players family

The Rams had many reasons to locate their 2025 minicamp on Maui, Hawaii. But from its early inception, we suspected that this was more about building relationships and creating chemistry among players, coaches, and their families. And during the event, that theory was hinted at by none other than Rams HC Sean McVay.

Now, even mainstream media is onboard with the revelation. ESPN's NFL analyst Sarah Barshop weighed in on the theory and filled in the blanks over the activities designed to build trust and kinship among players.

This was about fostering a sense of kinship among players. But even more than that, it was an ideal opportunity to place NFL players among the fans who cheer for them weekly. It was a rare opportunity for a community of Rams fans to cheer on the players at the grind's inception. Davante Adams replied that he was enjoying football more than he had in a long time. Puka Nacua was overwhelmed to see so many fans wearing his jersey.

And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

In her article, Barshop shared that the "Rams' rookie class went to Lahaina to join Habitat for Humanity Maui as it rebuilt four homes in an area affected by the wildfires." I have participated in Habitat for Humanity in my life, and it is as rewarding as it is hard work. But most of all, you emerge with lifelong friendships from the experience.

Rams President Kevin Demoff does not get enough credit. By locating the Rams' minicamp among a community that truly appreciates their presence and contribution, he not only showered the players with love and positive feedback. He has fostered a love of football in a new generation of Polynesian players who may compete for the Rams someday. In many ways, this was as much about growing the #Ramily as it was about minicamp.

And if you hadn't learned already, this #Ramily is growing once more. In a post-minicamp interview, HC Sean McVay shared that he and his wife Veronika are expecting their second son in the months ahead.

Congratulations, Sean and Veronika!

It's never easy to predict which experience leads an NFL team to the Super Bowl, and which experiences push them out the door along the way. But the Rams' bold move to risk a lack of focus on football to take in a more meaningful experience to build a team truly seems to be a wise decision.

If an NFL team is run like a business, players make business decisions. But if an NFL team is run like a family, players make relationship decisions. I love the direction the team is taking right now. Hopefully, I've given enough reasons for you to see it in a positive light as well.

As always, thanks for reading.

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