Surprise, surprise the Rams need better options on special teams

After four games, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves fortunate to be 2-2. Success has been elusive. The most obvious reason falls on the early outbreak of injuries to key contributors. But the other reason that grates on fans' nerves is the persistent underwhelming performance on special teams.

Special teams are not very special in Los Angeles. While the Rams have made progress in avoiding blocked field goals and punts so far this season, they consistently get less from special teams than their opponents.

Were the Horns at full strength, this might not be critical. As injuries deplete the roster, contributions must come from all phases.

LA has simply not enjoyed much help from its punting, kicking, or return units. Coordinator Bubba Ventrone is aware of the problem. Like released return specialist Xavier Smith, many members of the group could suddenly find themselves on the outside looking in.

Reviewing Rams special-teams performers after another disappointing performance

Punter Ethan Evans

Let's start with the best of the bunch. Evans has been a versatile contributor, but he has a knack for punting line drives that cause chaos on coverage. But he has taken stern warnings from Coach Ventrone to heart. After regressing in gross and net punting yards in 2025, he seems to have turned the corner.

He ranks 18th in the NFL with 47.6 gross yards per punt. He ranks 15th with 42.1 average net yards. He has made significant improvements in both categories this season.

Kicker Harrison Mevis

After drilling everything in 2025, kicker Harrison Mevis is suffering from the same sophomore slump that plagued Joshua Karty last season. While yet to miss an extra point, Mevis has made only five of seven field goals, none longer than 48 yards. Both misses came from 40 to 49 yards out. He has yet to attempt a 50+ yarder.

Mevis's two misses place him firmly on the hot seat. A kicker with 71.4 percent accuracy, and at 60 percent accuracy over 40 yards, is a liability. It forces head coach Sean McVay to push his offense into uncomfortable down-and-distance situations whenever the offense finds itself within the opponent's 40-yard line.

Don't be shocked if general manager Les Snead signs a competing kicker to the practice squad soon.

Return specialist Alex Bachman

The team jettisoned return specialist Xavier Smith for inconsistency. But his replacement, Bachman, did not far much better. Against the Eagles Bachman returned four punts for 30 yards, averaging 2.4 yards fewer than Smith. Of course, it's only one game. Ironically, he was outdone by former Rams punt returner Britain Covey, now with the Eagles after being released by LA a year earlier.

Bachman did have a 15-yarder. But he also had a return for one yard, failed to field a punt that was downed at the Rams seven-yard line, and another runback for three yards. Bachman's 15-yard return was initially a 23-yarder negated due to a holding penalty.

Of course, four games do not a season make. Still, it's crystal clear that Ventrone is taking a very proactive stance with his group. Evans is making progress, but the Rams could sign competition for Mevis or Bachman in the near future. Stay tuned.

And as always, thanks for reading.

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