Tim Keenan's fate highlights larger Rams trend toward a win-now focus

Aaron Donald's return to the Los Angeles Rams came with its share of roster casualties. Veteran defensive lineman Larrell Murchison was bumped to the practice squad.

And a promising rookie nose tackle, Tim Keenan III, who had signed with the team's practice squad, was released altogether to clear room for linebacker Jamie Sheriff.

Would the Rams part ways with a young defensive lineman if Donald wasn't here? Probably not. It's quite possible someone else from the practice squad would be sacrificed for Sheriff.

Keenan's exit leaves just four of five drafted rookies with the team. Pivoting to the 2025 draft class, you'll find a similar tale. Los Angeles has retained only four of its six selections, just one year later.

Fans can't help but contrast those results with how the 2023 draft put the Rams back on track. Nine players from that rookie class remain on the roster. Six are starters this year.

Some are sounding the alarm about what seems like a sudden lack of draft know-how. After all, the 2023 and 2024 rookie classes are shouldering the workload of this roster now. The past two drafts have yielded fewer players, and even fewer are making the team.

Tim Keenan's fate is both a result and symptom of Rams' win-now focus

In 2023, the Rams were so inundated with rookies that they had to enlist additional assistant coaches just to get through OTAs and training camp. Rookies were given instant opportunities, and draft picks were plugged into starting roles out of necessity.

By contrast, with Donald's return, Keenan was simply expendable. The problem is that LA just shed one of its more promising young players whose true value would not show up until 2027 and beyond.

OverTheCap.com projects the Rams to have $78 million in 2027 cap space. But that number only reflects 36 players under contract next season, including players paid during void years. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is under contract for 2027, faces another contract renegotiation if he continues to play.

In that context, the $78 million won't stretch very far. That's before factoring in lucrative extensions for wide receiver Puka Nacua, edge rusher Byron Young, defensive lineman Kobie Turner, and right tackle Warren McClendon.

No, general manager Les Snead did not cause this problem. It's simply the cyclical nature of the NFL, proving that the system works as intended. But what about the team's 2027 draft picks? The Rams currently have only four selections:

Rams' 2027 draft picks:

• * Round 1 - traded to Browns for DE Myles Garrett
• Round 2
• * Round 3 - traded to Chiefs for CB Trent McDuffie
• Round 4
• Round 5
• Round 6
• * Round 7 - traded to Ravens (2024) with CB Tre'Davious White for a 2026 Round 7 pick (i.e., NT Tim Keenan)

2026 is not just about going all-in. It's about leaning into the team's superb potential now, and letting the chips fall where they may next season. Unfortunately, Keenan is no longer in LA's talent pipeline.

As always, thanks for reading.

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