Stetson Bennett and other standouts / duds from Rams training camp early days

The Los Angeles Rams opened Day 1 of training camp, and the fear of the unknown faded into the calm and the concerns of the known. The Rams website does a great job of laying out some of the top observations from Day 1 of training camp and following that up with the top observations from Day 2 of training camp.

There is a lot to unpack already. Many of the concerns and concerns of fans that fermented over the off-season have been bottled. But new concerns are still appearing. With that in mind, let's take a quick inventory of what we have learned so far about the 2025 Rams training camp.

(Concern -2) DJ Humphries is in a battle for left tackle with Warren McClendon

As soon as the team learned of the need to reinforce the depth at offensive tackle due to maladies to both starting offensive tackles, the team immediately signed veteran left tackle D.J. Humphries and right tackle David Quessenberry. The moves were proactive, ensuring that the team would have stable competition, preparing for a 2025 NFL season, come what may.

The Rams already had offensive tackles on the depth chart, carried over from 2024. And Warren McClendon Jr. was arguably the most effective, assuming the team's swing-tackle role vacated by Joe Noteboom. The concern is that Humphries is a veteran left tackle, while McClendon is trained to plug-and-play at either tackle position. I love the competitive nature of training camp, and the fact that McClendon is in the running for the role at left tackle until Alaric Jackson can resume starting.

It's just that McClendon winning the left tackle job could force the Rams to carry an additional offensive lineman in 2025. Humphries is a left tackle, and Quessenberry is a right tackle. It's something to track in training camp.

(Concern - 1) Not the way the Rams wanted to open training camp

There are plenty of reasons to be anxious and apprehensive as the Rams training camp opens without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford or starting left tackle Alaric Jackson. Of course, the optimistic spin is that the other players on the roster get a surge of reps to perfect their craft, and it opens the door for backups to compete with starters. And yes, all of that is great news.

But coming off a 2024 season that experienced numerous injuries to offensive linemen, wide receivers, and defensive backs, the last thing this team or its fans needed was another dose of adversity to open the 2025 training camp. Matthew Stafford's back soreness is only expected to limit his participation for several days. Alaric Jackson's medical condition is still hoped to be cleared in time for him to suit up and start in Week 1.

(Standout - 3) Jarquez Hunter is TNT explosive

The Rams are certainly continuing to invest in the running back position. While fans may protest adding more players to a crowded room, the addition of Auburn rookie running back Jarquez Hunter is a huge step in a new direction for the offense. While he is similarly sized to his teammates, he is much faster and exhibits plenty of power in his ability to break tackles.

The Rams offense was the NFL's worst at 20+ yard running plays, a fact that every rusher is aware of. Both Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are showing signs of improving in that area. But they will be hard-pressed by the Rams' new rookie, whose speed is already showing up in training camp.

Good second day of practice for Rams RB Blake Corum. Even for touch, he was making guys miss with his cuts

And you can really see Jarquez Hunter's speed on the field. Bounced one run outside and was off for a 20 yard gain.
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) July 25, 2025

The presence of Jarquez Hunter will help the Rams' run defense solve the riddle of stopping the NFL's elite running backs in 2025. But the Rams have to find ways to get this guy plenty of playing time. He is just too explosive to warm the bench.

(Standout - 2) Stetson Bennett came to play

Former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett has become a punchline among the NFL and even among Rams fans. The list of detrimental qualities about Bennett is long and continues to get longer:

He's too old
He's too short
His heart isn't in the game
He quit on his team
He throws too many interceptions
The Rams can find better options

But as soon as you dial up his performance in training camp so far, you find that none of those complaints apply. He is a fierce competitor who has complete command of the Rams offense, can elevate the play of the team's receivers, runs the offense as it was designed, and is even able to improvise when conditions require it.

There is plenty of buzz surrounding Bennett. He has resumed his spectacular chemistry with WR Jordan Whittington and has continued to keep backups like tight end Davis Allen and wide receiver Xavier Smith. Some observers have even reported that Bennett has bulked up, adding 10 to 15 pounds of muscle for the 2025 NFL season. Those observations have not been confirmed.

What we do know is that its obvious with Bennett's confidence and the coaching staff's comfort with Stetson Bennett, he offers more upside than any obtainable rookie quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. It's also clear that Bennett is benefiting tremendously by working with QB Coach Dave Ragone.

While nobody is proclaiming Stetson Bennett to be the future quarterback of the Rams, those who have made it an annual ritual to call for his release are misinformed. He is showing off and showing up for the team in 2025. And the better he plays, the better the Rams' situation in the 2026 NFL Draft becomes.

(Standout - 1) Nate Landman and Poona Ford give defense a new look.

Did we save the best for last? It's tough to say because the skyrocketing stock of Stetson Bennett is great news for the future of this team. But that does nothing to fix the Rams' greatest challenges in 2025. And the top priority for this team, this defense, is to find ways to stuff the run.

The thing is, the Rams emphasized their pass rush so heavily that the team loaded up on young, athletic, and swift defensive linemen. And by the season's end, the Rams' pass rush was unmatched in its ferocity and effectiveness. But by the same token, the team simply did not have the size and power to neutralize Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. So, the team leveled up for 2025.

The Rams did not shop for Pro Bowlers or All-Pro defenders. Instead, the team tapped into their own Nerd's Nest to identify the most effective run-stoppers who fit the Rams' defensive scheme. The analysts pointed the team in the direction of former Los Angeles Chargers nose tackle Poona Ford and former Atlanta Falcons veteran inside linebacker Nate Landman.

You could make a compelling argument for the belief that the Rams landed two of the best run defenders from the Chargers and Falcons. Pro Football Focus loves the pairing of Ford with Kobie Turner. And Landman is a run-stuffing savant.

The Rams have a lot of irons in the fire, and practicing in shorts and t-shirts can only give clues as to how this team will show up for the 2025 NFL season. But everything looks great so far. As always, thanks for reading.