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[Los Angeles Rams]

Terrance Ferguson among players impressing Rams coaches during OTAs

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Rams rookie TE Terrance Ferguson is making a strong first impression

It wasn’t that long ago that a rookie wearing the number 18 jersey walked into Los Angeles Rams OTAs and impressed coaches. In 2017, Cooper Kupp, a wide receiver from Eastern Washington showed up to Rams OTAs as a rookie and showed why he was someone who couldn’t be kept off of the field.

Set to take over the Kupp role to an extent this season is rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson. The Rams rookie is wearing that same number 18 and has made an early impression during OTAs. Said head coach Sean McVay,

“Terrance has been good. We’ve seen a guy that’s been really attentive in meetings, got a really good feel...Just been really impressed with him..and looking forward to seeing him just continue to take it a step at a time.”

Earlier this week during practice, Ferguson made one of the plays of the day with a touchdown catch from quarterback Matthew Stafford. As detailed by the Rams’ Stu Jackson, Stafford connected with Ferguson on a back-shoulder throw in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown during red zone drills.

First look at the Stafford Ferguson connection. pic.twitter.com/DakrhiHpnZ

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 5, 2025​

While Ferguson won’t necessarily be a featured part of the Rams passing game, there is some expectation that he will be involved in some capacity. It’s very possible that Ferguson does some of the Kupp things over the middle of the field and is used as the “F” in 12 personnel packages. The Rams have been primarily an 11 personnel team under McVay, but Ferguson should allow him to add variety to the offense. That will especially be the case in the red zone where the size of Ferguson should give the offense an advantage.

Added offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur on Ferguson,

“He has a good demeanor about himself. He’s got a cool, calm, kind of swaggy demeanor about himself. (He’s) fitting in real well with these guys and he just continuing to get better...You just want to see guys that are willing to get better in their fundamentals. And then when they are asked, maybe once a day, to go attack a defense end without the pads on, just to still go for it and he’s not shy.”

It’s still in the early stages of the offseason and players aren’t in pads just yet. As Stafford said, “Excited for him. Again, it’s all a development at this stage. We’re just trying to figure out who we’re going to be as a team.”

With that said, a lot of the coaches speak should be taken somewhat with a grain of salt. At the same time, Ferguson making plays and then getting talked about by the coaching staff is certainly a positive.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/6/24444362/rams-otas-standouts-terrance-ferguson

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Can you guess this Rams safety in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Rams player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Do you want to play “Wordle” but for Rams players instead of words?

With your in-depth knowledge of the Rams, can you guess a Rams players in 5 clues or less? 3 clues or less? 2 clues? Test yourself! You’re the expert! Whether you love it or hate it, we’d appreciate feedback at this Google Form.

If you can’t see the embedded game and you’re using Apple News, click this link.

Previous games​

Friday, June 6, 2025
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Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

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Turf Show Times in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Rams player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/7/24444878/sb-nation-rams-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Do you attend home games?

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

What are your Rams games traditions?

Are you a regular at SoFi Stadium when the Los Angeles Rams are playing? Then we want to hear from you!

What are your Rams games traditions?

How long have you been attending Rams games?

When was the last time you want to a Rams home game?

Do you tailgate at Rams home games?

What tips do you have for others who plan to attend a Rams game for the first time?

Did you go to Rams games in St. Louis but now they’re in Los Angeles so you can’t anymore? And if so, do you go to Battlehawks games?

Please share any Rams home game experiences you have in the comments below and if it helps get things started, I’ll post some specific questions of my own like the ones you just read. The Rams have played in Los Angeles since 2016 and have played at SoFi Stadium since 2020, but only with fans since 2021.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/8/24445508/rams-home-games-tailgating

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

How big of an effect should special teams play have on the Rams opening roster?

Will Omar Speights be the Rams next special teams demon? | Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Coordinator Chase Blackburn may have to replace 1500+ reps

History tells us that the Los Angeles Rams special teams (ST) play has gone steadily downhill under the Sean McVay regime. His 2017 maiden unit was ranked as the best in the NFL, but has since tumbled, eventually to 32nd (last place) in 2023. Last year, under new ST Coordinator Chase Blackburn, L.A. showed a modest improvement to 22nd.

Those numbers are according to Rick Gosselin, a 50-year NFL writer. Gosselin has put out yearly ratings of his own formula, based on 22 individual special teams metrics. Since 2017, the Rams have rated 1st, 9th, 20th, 30th, 16th, 29th, 32nd, and 22nd.

Special teams by the Rams. pic.twitter.com/lOw3UQO8w9

— E Wilson (@RamsrbacknLA) December 8, 2024​

Coming in to the 2025 season, the Rams have moved on from some important pieces on ST and also have an extensive amount of reps on the bubble. Since ST play has generally been mediocre, wholesale replacements may or may not be a major problem. Although Blackburn did have the separate units playing somewhat better last year, he inherited a core of veterans and now, he must fill in what could easily be as many as 2000 ST reps.

Lost (1228 reps)​

LB Jake Hummel 338

TE Hunter Long 263

LB Christian Rozeboom 184

E Michael Hoecht 163

The Rest 280

Bubble (1268 reps)​

RB Ronnie Rivers 248

CB Josh Wallace 235

E Nick Hampton 230

CB Charles Woods 169

WR Xavier Smith 161

The Rest 225

Who’s gonna fill their shoes?​

One area the Rams won’t need an upgrade is in their specialists. Placekicker Josh Karty had a solid rookie season, converting 85.3% of field goals (FG) and 89% of extra points (XP). Ethan Evans transitioned from an uncontrolled boomer as rookie to a very good positional punter in Year 2. He should continue to improve as the holder and on kickoffs. Longsnapper Alex Ward is not quite the downfield tackling weapon Jake McQuaid was, but his snaps are near automatic.

Returning (1937 reps) ​

LB Omar Speights 266

S Jaylen McCollough 257

RB Blake Corum 186

WR Jordan Whittington 172

S Camron Kinchens 117

The Rest 939

Offensive and defensive line - Not much support needed here. The biggest part of those 939 “the rest” snaps belong to interior linemen on blocking or rushing FGs and XPs. The Rams return their Top 7 on offense and the defense only needs to replace the combined 100 snaps of Bobby Brown and Neville Gallimore.

Running back - Will McVay roster four and keep Rivers around for special teams? Kyren Williams has few returns, but nothing else. Jarquez Hunter doesn’t bring a ST history from college. Blake Corum had plenty of reps (186) as a rookie, but two of his last three seasons have ended with injury.

Wide receiver - Last year’s primary punt returner, Xavier Smith (161) was also a gunner on punt coverage second on the team in special teams tackles, but the Rams did bring in three receivers with return experience. Should the Rams want to give Jordan Whittington (172) bigger ST responsibilities to go along with his WR#4 and primary kickoff returner duties?

Edge - The now-departed Michael Hoecht was a versatile piece on ST. His replacement numbers fall on Josiah Stewart, but it remains to be seen if the rookie can be as moveable around formations. Nick Hampton (230) is coming off an injury and could be locked in a roster battle with Brennan Jackson (56) and Keir Thomas (14).

Tight end - L.A. should roster four and with the departure of Hunter Long (263), it will likely be up to Davis Allen (116) and Colby Parkinson (66) to fill his reps. Both probably do fine work on returns, but only combined for two tackles in coverage last year. Tyler Higbee (0) hasn’t done much on special teams since 2021 and Round 2 rookie Terrance Ferguson has yet to show what he’s got in the tank.

Off-ball linebacker - Here’s where L.A. could sop up ST snaps. To go along with Omar Speights (266), rookies Chris Paul and Shaun Dolac have the athleticism, tackling chops, and aggressive attitude to be of value on ST while competing for defensive play time. Veterans Troy Reeder and Nate Landman have ST pasts.

Secondary - While the Rams have a handful of safeties who could be of value, the cornerbacks are different story. Darious Williams (0) hasn’t been a deep contributor on ST since 2019 and it’s the same for Ahkello Witherspoon (22). Out all last year, Derion Kendrick averaged six ST reps per game in his first two seasons. Fighting minor injuries in all three pro seasons, can Cobie Durant (65) realistically be expected to make a huge jump in snaps? Safety Jaylen McCollough (257) should become a stalwart in Year 2, as should Kamren Kinchens (117). Interestingly, Kamren Curl (35) has not been a major ST contributor since his 2020 rookie year. Will Quentin Lake (92) see his ST work increase or decrease in a contract year?

Depending on how the roster shakes out, Nick Hampton (230) and Ronnie Rivers (248) could return on their special teams prowess. Charles Woods (169) as well, particularly if the corner room has training camp injury problems. There’s a few wildcards too. The Rams have a handful of undrafted rookies with college special teams experience and possess enough athleticism and attitude to do the work. We’ll get to see plenty of them in preseason games.

My 2025 ST core​

LB Omar Speights

LB Shaun Dolac

LB Chris Paul

S Jaylen McCollough

CB Josh Wallace

TE Davis Allen

E Brennan Jackson

S Kamren Kinchens

PR/gunner Xavier Smith

KR#1 Jordan Whittington

PK Josh Karty

P Ethan Evans

LS Alex Ward

Final thoughts​

Special teams ability has to be considered when setting an opening roster. They may very well be those last few bottom of the roster additions, but considered just the same. Good ones can be on the field for 300+ snaps, as much as a rotational offensive/defensive player and sterling special teams plays can have a huge impact on games.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/8/24444164/rams-opening-roster-special-teams-players

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Does Les Snead have a Hall of Fame case?

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

A second Super Bowl win could land the Rams’ GM in Canton

When discussing the success of the Los Angeles Rams since 2017, Sean McVay (rightfully) gets most of the credit. A few more winning seasons and a second Super Bowl trophy will catapult McVay into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But what about Les Snead, his partner in crime?

Snead’s success is often lost in the orbit of McVay’s greatness. It’s hard for it not to be. As the NFL’s sixth-longest tenured general manager, Snead doesn’t always seem to get enough credit for his role in the Rams’ return to glory.

Keep in mind that he had to overcome five straight losing seasons from 2012-16 to get to where he is now. Imagine if Snead had been canned alongside Jeff Fisher following the 2016 campaign. Where would the franchise be now?

Thankfully, Rams fans do not have to imagine the alternative because they can instead enjoy what Snead gifted them:

- Aaron bleeping’ Donald ​

- A 2017 draft haul highlighted by Cooper Kupp​

- Blockbuster trades for stars like Matthew Stafford, Von Miller, Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Cooks​

- Key free agency signings like Andrew Whitworth and Odell Beckham Jr. ​

- A Super Bowl championship​

- Securing an influx of youth talent in the 2023 and ‘24 drafts that has produced Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Puka Nacua, Braden Fiske, Kamren Kinchens and the league’s reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Jared Verse ​

- And one more time—AARON MOTHERLOVING DONALD!​

The main criticisms about Snead are that he has failed to get sizable returns for key players in trades. That is fair, since what the Rams received from the Dolphins for Ramsey was truly laughable. Not even Madden would accept that trade.

However, Snead’s “F them picks” approach more than made up for his shortcomings in that department. While his mentality didn’t have the same impact that McVay had on the league’s hiring practices, other teams followed suit. The Miami Dolphins attempted to emulate the Rams’ all-in approach, yet it never resulted in a playoff win.

L.A.’s rebound from that horrid 2022 season has been a sight to behold, and much of it has to do with Snead’s work in the later rounds of the draft. The Rams have reopened their Super Bowl window because Snead has placed more emphasis on the draft, rather than the aggressive mentality he had previously.

Howie Roseman remains atop the NFL’s hierarchy of general managers. Philly’s second dominant title run under Roseman’s watch will inevitably land him in Canton. Snead is currently not far behind the Eagles’ GM, and a second Lombardi Trophy might have a similar impact on his legacy in Hollywood.

Some HOF general managers include Ron Wolf, Gil Brandt, Bobby Beathard and Bill Polian. Does Snead deserve to be immortalized alongside those greats, whether or not his Rams win another title? I believe you can make a case regardless.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/10/24446471/rams-les-snead-hall-of-fame

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Can Rams passing attack get back to its 2021 level?

Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

PFF says that the Rams lethal passing attack should give them reason for optimism.

When quarterback Matthew Stafford joined the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, he and head coach Sean McVay took the NFL by storm. Over the first eight weeks of the season, the Rams offense led the NFL in dropback EPA per play by nearly a full point.

However, from 2022-2024, the Rams dropback EPA per play and success rate has been just 16th. There have been stretches in which the Rams have dealt with injuries to the quarterback position, skill positions, and offensive line. At the same time, it is also a general reflection of the health of the passing offense.

For the Rams to take that next step in 2025, the passing attack will need to be more consistent. The good news here is that with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, this is a passing attack that has the potential to overwhelm defenses. Pro Football Focus recently listed a reason for optimism for each NFL team. For the Rams, Dalton Wasserman listed their potentially lethal passing attack. Said Wasserman.

“When given a clean pocket, Matthew Stafford is still fully capable of shredding opposing defenses. His 90.6 clean-pocket PFF passing grade in 2024 ranked seventh in the NFL. He also has the benefit of working with the league’s highest-graded wide receiver group from last season. Led by Puka Nacua, who topped the NFL with a 92.6 PFF receiving grade last season, the Rams will be a nightmare for opposing secondaries. The group may have even improved with the addition of Davante Adams, who earned a solid 76.8 PFF receiving grade last season.”

PFF
Rams Offense Starting Lineup

Over the past two seasons when the Rams have ranked inside the top-10 for the week in EPA per pass, they have a 9-2 record. The two losses have come against the Detroit Lions in Week 1 last year and the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14 of 2023.

The key here is obviously health. When the Rams have had a top-rated offensive line and that offensive line has been healthy, the Sean McVay offense has been at its best. However, Stafford also needs to find a level of consistency that he hasn’t had since 2021.

Every Matthew Stafford throw of 20+ air yards from a clean pocket in 2024: pic.twitter.com/926NMLYFmR

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) May 15, 2025​

Heading into 2025, the Rams offense has been built in a way that should give it every chance to succeed. Nacua and Adams are one of the top wide receiver duos in the NFL. Those two will make life much easier for Stafford in the same way that Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham did during the 2021 playoff run. This is also a Rams offense that has found a consistent run game. While the offensive line does have some depth concerns, if it can stay healthy, there is potential for it to be a top-10 unit. McVay remains a top-three play-designer and play-caller.

Heading into the 2025 season, it could be Rams’ best shot at making another deep playoff run with Stafford and McVay leading the way. There’s no guarantee how many good years Stafford has left and the Rams need to take advantage of them. With the weapons that the Rams have put around Stafford, the passing attack should have every chance to get back to a level of dominance.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/10/24446880/rams-passing-offense-matthew-stafford

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Corum or Hunter?

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Blake Corum was underutilized as a rookie. He will compete with Jarquez Hunter for playing time in 2025.

The running back room for the Los Angeles Rams has quickly grown crowded.

Starter Kyren Williams showed over the 2024 season that he can be an every-down workhorse, and he effectively crowded out last year’s rookie third-round pick Blake Corum. The Rams may extend Williams’ contract ahead of training camp and keep him in the fold for the foreseeable future.

2025 brings a new threat to Corum’s playing time in fourth-round draftee Jarquez Hunter from Auburn. Hunter is a departure from the mold that Williams and Corum bring to the table. The Rams are hoping that Hunter can introduce an element of explosiveness into the running game and turn well-blocked plays into long gains and touchdowns.

We can expect to see a lot of Williams this season. The real question is “how often will Corum or Hunter be on the field?”.

The Rams underutilized Corum last year​

There were only three games over the 2024 season where Corum received eight carries, which is an inherent problem in and of itself.

Metrics are from Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Week 2 at Arizona Cardinals:​

8 rushes for 28 yards (3.5 avg); 18 yards after contact; 1 forced miss

Week 13 at New Orleans Saints:​

8 carries for 42 yards (5.3 avg); 22 YCO; 1 forced miss

Week 14 vs Buffalo Bills:​

8 carries for 34 yards (4.3 avg); 23 YCO; 3 forced misses

Season per carry averages - Corum:​

3.6 yards; 2.40 after contact; 0.190 forced misses; 0.69 10+ yards

Season per carry averages - Williams:​

4.2 yards; 2.75 after contact; 0.174 forced misses; 0.88 10+ yards

While on the surface it seems Williams is clearly more effective than Corum at 4.2 yards per attempt versus 3.6, the margins are closer than meets the eye when considering yards after contact, forced missed tackles, and carries over 10+ yards on an average basis. Corum seemingly was often able to find more ground than was blocked by the offensive line. His main problem was a lack of opportunities.

Blake Corum has good vision and a nice jump cut at the first level. That's a starting point to work with. pic.twitter.com/P0Optpo6Gx

— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) May 26, 2025​

The same goes for Corum’s usage in the passing game. He was productive in small sample sizes as a receiver.

Corum caught seven of his eight targets for 58 yards (8.3 avg), though he finished with 63 yards after the catch point (9.0 per reception). In comparison, Williams caught 38 passes for 197 yards (5.2 avg) and three scores though he averaged just 5.9 yards after the catch.

Hunter is a serious threat to Corum and Williams​

There’s really no use comparing college production to the NFL. Still, it’s eye-popping to review the same metrics for Hunter from his time at Auburn:

Season per carry averages - Hunter:​

6.5 yards; 4.10 after contact; 0.317 forced misses; 0.23 10+ yards

21 catches for 155 yards (7.4 avg); 8.5 avg yards after catch

Even more impressive is Hunter’s production on breakaway plays, which PFF describes as designed running plays that eclipse 15 yards. Hunter amassed 576 yards on 15 breakaways runs during his final year at Auburn. Over four seasons he accumulated 1,591 breakaway yards.

Williams managed just 194 yards on nine breakaway runs last year for the Rams.

It’s clear that Hunter brings a dynamism to Los Angeles that will shake up the running back room. How quickly the rookie establishes a role remains to be seen.

New Rams running back Jarquez Hunter had the 2nd-highest explosive rush rate (10+ yards) among FBS backs with 150+ carries in 2024.

That skill set will be a welcome addition to a Rams backfield that had the 4th-fewest explosive rushes in the NFL last season. pic.twitter.com/VETjNbrxVl

— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) April 28, 2025​

It’s on Sean McVay to make the most of a strong RB stable​

McVay must find a way to reduce Williams’ workload. The Rams offense hasn’t been the same without its workhorse in the lineup, and we watched Williams sit out of the playoff game versus the Detroit Lions a couple years ago. It’s important to keep the starter healthy and capable of doing damage over a long playoff run.

Corum is capable as a backup to Williams and deserves opportunities to stand on his own. Hunter will see snaps simply because he is different than both existing backs and could carve out a complimentary role.

Corum or Hunter?​

You decide.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/11/24447633/rams-blake-corum-jarquez-hunter-fantasy

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

5 non-QB prospects the Rams will consider in 2026 draft

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Rams had a Jalen Ramsey once, why not a Kamari Ramsey...

It is widely believed that the Los Angeles Rams will use one of their two 2026 first round picks (thank you Atlanta Falcons) on a quarterback. It is a fair assumption and more likely not than not. However, there is a chance the Rams and Matthew Stafford could kick the can down the road one more time based on the contract the two parties agreed to this offseason. So let’s imagine the Rams do not take a quarterback next year and trade of the first rounders for a 2027 first rounder and extra draft capital. Who might the Rams select with the other 2026 first rounder? Here are five names to keep an eye throughout the 2025 college football season...

Carnell Tate, WR​

It was rumored that the Rams had their eye on a trade up for Tetairoa McMillan. If that is accurate, then it would not surprise me if LA wants to add a wide receiver early in 2026. Carnell Tate is a 6’3” x-receiver (with the ability to play as a z); giving the team insurance in case Davante Adams is: 1) past his prime and the Rams move on after 2025 season or 2) injury. Best case scenario is the Rams add to their wide receiver room that could feature a trio of Nacua, Adams, and Tate.

Kamari Ramsey, S​

It just seems fitting that Los Angeles should have a player named Ramsey on their defense. So if its not going to be Jalen, than it might as well be Kamari. The option makes sense since the Rams have the following defensive backs set to hit free agency after this offseason: Quentin Lake, Derion Kendrick, Akhello Witherspoon, Cobie Durant, and Kam Curl. Kamari Ramsey’s game play would be intriguing to Los Angeles because of his abilities fitting their “star role” on defense.

KAMARI. RAMSEY. pic.twitter.com/61ztM3YKQ2

— CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) September 28, 2024​

Francis Mauigoa, RT​

Mauigoa is one of the top tackle prospects entering the 2026 draft. Rob Havenstein announced that he is not ready for retirement but the 33 year old tackle has missed seven games in the past two years because of injuries. Sean McVay and Les Snead have a lot of their chips backing Matthew Stafford and prioritizing his health is a must. We saw how inefficient the offense was when parts of the offensive line were missing. It may be favorable to consider Havenstein’s heir.

Caleb Downs, CB​

As mentioned for Kamari Ramsey, the Rams are losing a lot of cornerbacks. On top of that, Darious Williams is getting older and this could very well be his last year with the team for cap purposes. Targeting a #1 cornerback is not typically where the Rams look during the draft but Caleb Downs could be an exception. Downs has been praised for his swiss-army knife traits and processing ability. NFLDraftBuzz went as far to say that his ceiling is in fact gold jacket territory...

Downs projects as an immediate impact starter who will contend for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors while becoming a cornerstone defender for the next decade. Defensive coordinators will build game plans around his unique skill set, and offensive coordinators will need to account for his presence on every snap. His rare combination of instincts, physicality, coverage ability and leadership make him one of the safest prospects in this draft class. The floor is multi-year starter; the ceiling is gold jacket territory.

Denzel Boston, WR​

Boston is a 6’4” 210 lb wide out. As an intermediate receiver, Boston would fit in the Rams passing attack because of the timing nuances and his route running ability. He is another strong x-receiver that is crucial to McVay offenses.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/11/24447408/rams-2026-draft-targets-kamari-ramsey

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Davante Adams will help Matthew Stafford in this area next season

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Rams added WWR Davante Adams, but can he fix Matthew Stafford’s red zone problems?

Throughout the Sean McVay era, the Los Angeles Rams have lacked overall efficiency in the red zone. The Rams offense getting to the red zone has rarely been the issue, but rather how they have tended to stall once they get there. It’s a reason why they lost to the Detroit Lions in the playoffs in 2023.

Last season, the Rams offense ranked 24th in points per red zone trip at 4.6 and 25th in red zone touchdown percentage at 51.4 percent. That was despite the fact that quarterback Matthew Stafford was 10th in red zone passing attempts and running back Kyren Williams had the most red zone rushing attempts.

Heading into 2025, this is simply an area of the field in which the Rams need to be better. They were one of just three playoff teams along with the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers to rank inside the bottom-10 in points per red zone trip. For the Rams to take that next step as many expect them to, they need to be more efficient.

In the red zone last season, the Rams and Matthew Stafford ranked just 14th in EPA per pass in the red zone and his 16 red zone touchdowns ranked 15th. Among quarterbacks with at least 50 red zone pass attempts, Stafford was 20th in completion percentage, completing 46.2 percent of his passes with a -22.4 completion percentage over expectation. Additionally, he had just a 52.7 percent catchable throw percentage. That ranked last in the NFL. In fact, the gap between Stafford at 21 and Geno Smith at 20 was the same as Smith at 20 and Jalen Hurts at 11.

Stafford and McVay both need to execute better and at times be more creative in the red zone if the Rams are to be more efficient. At the same time, this past offseason, the Rams signed arguably one of the NFL’s best red zone wide receivers in Davante Adams.

Rams players and coaches have been impressed with Davante Adams' body control and contested catch ability at practice, and for good reason.

Adams' contested catch production in the red zone is among the best in the league over the past 3 seasons. pic.twitter.com/z0jDdIGfy7

— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) May 31, 2025​

Over the past three seasons, Adams’ contested catch rate in the red zone has been the best in the NFL. His catch-rate of 66.7 percent and two touchdowns on end zone fades was also the best among wide receivers last season. While Adams didn’t have as much success with the Las Vegas Raiders on these routes, in 2021 he caught his lone target on this route which resulted in a touchdown.

The end zone fade is something that McVay has incorporated into the offense in the red zone. It was the play that McVay went to in 2021 to beat the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl. However, in 2024, the Rams didn’t have much success on this route.

Much of this and Stafford’s lack of success in the red zone had to do with the drop-off in level from Cooper Kupp. The Rams simply didn’t have a reliable red zone target. Kupp had just 10 red zone targets last season which was down from 18 in 2023. In Stafford’s first two years, Kupp was one of the best red zone wide receivers. In 2022, Kupp caught 72.7 percent of his red zone targets, resulting in four touchdowns. During his triple crown season in 2021, Kupp had 26 red zone receptions and 13 of them went for touchdowns.

While Stafford has lacked red zone accuracy the last two years, he did throw 17 touchdowns to zero interceptions in 2023. In 2021, the Rams quarterback completed more than 50 percent of his red zone passes while throwing 32 touchdowns. He also had a catchable throw percentage of 69.6 percent.

With Adams, the Rams quarterback will once again have a legitimate threat in the red zone. When he’s had one, Stafford has been efficient. In 2020 with the Detroit Lions, that was TJ Hockenson. It’s worth noting that the Rams also added a big receiving tight end in Terrance Ferguson. Before Hockenson, it was Calvin Johnson. Johnson typically had a low catch-rate in the red zone, but in 2011 he caught 13 passes and nine of them went for touchdowns. While he only caught 10 of his 23 red zone targets in 2013, Johnson converted seven of those into touchdowns. Those were also two of Stafford’s better years in the red zone as a passer.

The Rams will need to rely on more than just throwing it up to Adams in the red zone and hoping for the best to increase their red zone success. McVay will still need to get creative and not have an over-reliance on the end zone fade. At the same time, Adams’ size and body control should give the Rams an advantage in this area of the field that they lacked last season.

Davante Adams
Fade

Split Hesi again

Great job cutting the space in half. pic.twitter.com/EogbZZjD4n

— Mike Vannucci (@WRCoachVannucci) December 3, 2024​

If the Rams offense is going to hit its full potential next season, they’ll need to be more efficient in the red zone. While the Rams ranked 16th in red zone efficiency in 2021, they had a touchdown rate of 59 percent and were third in red zone scoring attempts per game. The offense will need to get back to that if they are to take the next step.

With Davante Adams giving Stafford a reliable target in the red zone, it will be up to McVay to put his new chess piece in position to succeed. If Stafford, Adams, and McVay can all get on the same page, they’ll unlock a part of their offense that has been missing.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/...d-zone-offense-davante-adams-matthew-stafford

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams fans can thank Chris Petersen for Sean McVay’s return to coaching

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Rams fans can rejoice that McVay doesn’t appear to be going anywhere

If you haven’t read it yet, I highly encourage you to read Jordan Rodrigue’s The Athletic piece on Sean McVay detailing his meteoric rise in the NFL and his rock bottom moment also known as the 2022 regular season.

The Rams head coach is not the same person that came into the league in 2017; taking it by storm. And I am not talking about his tactical strategy. Through the help of Chris Petersen, the Rams now have a head coach that sees more to life as a coach than just win and losses.

For a refresher, Sean McVay contemplated a career change. After becoming the youngest coach in NFL history to hoist the Lombardi Trophy after a Super Bowl LVI win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Rams then collapsed. The team finished 5-12 in their efforts to repeat. Every Rams fan remembers that post game press conference in Seattle. We all watched; holding our breath and wondering if we had seen the last of Sean McVay coaching in Los Angeles in exchange for a career in broadcasting (an escape from the entrapment of coaching). In that postgame conference, McVay confessed:

“I don’t get the sense in the least bit I’m done coaching,” he said. “It’s just a matter of what does that look like as it relates to the immediate future is more about what you’re really working through right now.”

A week later, Sean McVay announced he would return to the organization. Rams fans were ecstatic, myself included. But we never knew the exact root or the rationale. All we knew was that McVay had renewed perspective and did not want to run away from challenges.

As it turns out, Chris Petersen, the former Boise State and University of Washington football coach was the voice that offered reason into McVay’s clouded mind. Chris Petersen was the architect behind Boise State’s dominance in the late 2000s/early 2010s. But he too wrestled with finding peace after all the success. It wasn’t until COVID that Petersen had time to sort out his own self-problems.

It was widely speculated that McVay would be done coaching when the core group of Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, Jalen Ramsey, and Matthew Stafford would no longer be around. But how, a third of them are retired or playing elsewhere. And that’s not even mentioning Stafford being close to retirement himself. Yet, here McVay is rejuvenated and ready to get after another football season. And there doesn’t appear to be a second thought to considering anything else…

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/12/24447800/sean-mcvay-chris-petersen-coaching-phone-call

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Jared Verse must get past ‘bad luck’ stat in sophomore season

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reigning DROY’s sack conversion rate wasn’t elite during freshman campaign

Jared Verse was a revelation for the Los Angeles Rams during his rookie season, en route to Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. While Verse excelled at making opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable, he struggled in bringing them to the ground.

In honor of Friday the 13th, NFL writer Kevin Patra dropped some “bad luck” stats from the league’s “unluckiest players” from 2024, with Verse among them. Patra dove into the most significant area where Verse’s pass rushing luck ran out:

“The Defensive Rookie of the Year ranked fourth in the NFL in pressures with 76, per Next Gen Stats, but tied for 95th in sacks (4.5). The 5.9% sack conversion rate (4.5 sacks on 76 pressures) ranked lowest in the NFL among 72 edge rushers with 250-plus pass rush snaps in 2024.”

Either Verse walked under one ladder too many or crossed paths with an army of black cats, but this was a puzzling stat for sure. Racking up high sack totals typically wins hardware in the NFL, and yet, the Florida State product managed to win DROY honors anyway. And he is apparently unlucky?

Verse ranked fourth across the league in pressures, and all other members of the top five in that category had double-digit sacks.

1. Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson: 92 pressures, 17.5 sacks​

2. Texans’ Danielle Hunter: 90 pressures, 12.0 sacks​

3. Browns’ Myles Garrett: 84 pressures, 14.0 sacks​

4. Verse: 76 pressures, 4.5 sacks​

5. Cowboys’ Micah Parsons: 75 pressures, 12.0 sacks​

The good thing is that Verse is already aware he must improve ahead of his sophomore campaign. Earlier this month, he talked to Rams.com staff writer Stu Jackson about how many sacks he missed out on. Later, Verse told Adam Schefter he felt like he had missed out on 10 sacks because of the mistakes he’d seen on tape.

Not even two years in and Verse enters 2025 as one of the sport’s top game wreckers. If his preparation leads to improved totals this season, he will become a perennial double-digit sack master in no time.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/13/24448899/rams-jared-verse-sacks-bad-luck

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

History tells us the Rams 2025 rookies will make the opening 53 and see playing time

Sean McVay likes to roster his rookies | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Sean McVay is not afraid to put his youngsters on the field

If the Los Angeles Rams training camp and opening roster run true to form, all six of the 2025 L.A. draftees are a good bet to make the opening roster. Since pairing up in 2017, General Manager Les Snead and Head coach Sean McVay have placed a little over 88% of drafted rookies on the initial 53. There were six others who began their careers on the Injured Reserve List (IR) and would go on to a spot on the roster when healed.

Not only do these prospects make the roster, McVay gets them on the field. This may be contrary to popular belief, but is true just the same. Rookies are not necessarily given a lot of starting roles, but in almost all cases, they get looks. Whether that be in rotation, packages or on special teams (ST), catch an eye and you get better, longer looks.

Researching back to the 2021 NFL Draft, I collected snap counts and attributed them to prospects drafted. The final numbers are in the conclusion and while draft status certainly plays a big role, the later selections also get the extra snap of special teams.

Here’s a look at the individual draftees.

2024 rookies​

#19 - E Jared Verse

Played a tad under 80% of defensive snaps. Verse’ performance was just what you would expect from a Round 1 pick, a solid rookie season punctuated by flashes of brilliance, and plenty of ceiling to reach.

#39 - DT Braden Fiske

Played in all 19 contests with eight starts. His 661 defensive reps were 2nd on the Rams interior and Fiske led the team in sacks and forced fumbles. Chipped in 79 special team’s snaps.

#83 - Blake Corum

Brought along slowly, Corum did get a taste in every regular season game and started the season finale versus Seattle. He played in a modest 119 offensive snaps, but added 186 on ST, with 70+ coming as a kickoff returner.

#99 - Kamren Kinchens

Kinchens didn’t play much in Weeks 1 and 2. Injury put him in for Weeks 3 and 4, but he struggled and fell back. Took advantage of another shot in Week 9, and by playing well, won a place in the rotation. Played 514 reps on defense and 117 on ST.

#154 - E Brennan Jackson

Battled on/off with soft tissue woes as a rookie, limited to 47 defensive plays and 56 more on ST.

#196 - DT Tyler Davis

Played in 17 games, earning a start in playoff game versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Had 299 defensive snaps, the majority in the second half of the season.

Different plays, same technique -- get hands inside, use the long arm to get off block, get in on the tackle

Tyler Davis#RamsHouse #Rams pic.twitter.com/lVjB1vk7tG

— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) November 7, 2024​

#209 - K Josh Karty

After a few missed PAT’s early gave fans the willy’s, Karty settled down and delivered a solid season, converting 85.3% of 34 field goal attempts. Doesn’t do kickoffs, but showed he has the leg with five touchbacks out of six kicks, in the one game he handled those duties.

#213 - WR Jordan Whittington

Whittington fought through a shoulder problem and still netted 278 offensive snaps, while adding another 172 on ST. A little over 70 of those were as the primary kick returner.

#217 - C Beaux Limmer

Only Kevin Dotson topped the snap count for the Round 6 rookie from Arkansas (917). He added 65 on ST, without snapping the football.

#254 - T KT Leveston

Suffered an ankle injury in preseason, went on the Injured Reserve List (IR) until November and never recorded a snap.

2023 rookies​

#36 - G Steve Avila

Started in every game and played every snap (1148) as rookie. In Year 2, he missed seven regular season games, but started the other 12 when healthy.

#77 - E Byron Young

Has started 35 of 37 pro games, participating in over 80% (1809) of defensive reps.

#89 - DT Kobie Turner

While he only registered four starts as a rookie, Turner was a primary in the rotation with 697 reps (61.46%). As a sophomore, he was up to 17 of 19 starts and 834 (74.80%) snaps. He’s added 169 on ST.

#128 - QB Stetson Bennett

Harumph, harumph! No regular season play.

#161 - E Nick Hampton

Hampton has not been able to break through on defense with only 76 snaps, but has accrued 316 on ST.

#174 - T Warren McClendon

Limited to mop-up duty in Year 1, but in 2024, injuries put McClendon into 13 games with five starts for 331 offensive reps and 52 on ST.

#177 - TE Davis Allen

After a promising rookie year with 192 offensive snaps and another 104 on ST, Allen earned more play time (309 on offense, 116 on ST), but digressed on the stat sheet.

Davis Allen with the Rams TD pic.twitter.com/v3OeWsR1Wy

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) May 14, 2025​

#182 - WR Puka Nacua

Good news: Nacua is a top NFL receiver, one of the most physical, and should be on the field 90%. Bad news: Nacua is one of the NFL’s most physical receivers and missed five games in 2025, along a injury history in college.

#180 - CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson

No longer with team. Played 45 defensive and 318 ST reps.

#189 - DE Ochaun Mathis

No longer with team. Played 74 defensive and 19 ST reps.

#215 - RB Zack Evans

No longer with team. Played 16 offensive and 51 ST snaps.

#223 - P Ethan Evans

In each of his two seasons, Evans has handled both punting and kickoff duties with aplomb.

#234 - S Jason Taylor

No longer with team. Played 39 defensive and 111 ST reps.

#259 - DT Desjuan Johnson

Johnson is on the back end of defensive line rotation with 102 snaps as a rookie and 120 last year. No ST action to speak of.

2022 rookies​

#104 G Logan Bruss

No longer with team. IR and practice squad in first two years, injuries gave him his shot in 2024, but he was released midway through the season.

#142 CB Cobie Durant

Durant has upped his defensive snap count for three straight seasons (281, 643, 7770, as well as starts (1, 9, 14). Adds about 70 ST reps per season.

#164 RB Kyren Williams

RB#1 has also raised his snap count every season (141, 678, 888). Coming off two consecutive 1000+ yard seasons. Has helped out on kick returns.

#211 S Quentin Lake

Injury limited his rookie year reps to 63 defensive and 139 ST, then a jump to 453/140 in Year 2, and finally 1070 (96%) in 2024.

#212 CB Derion Kendrick

Update: No longer on team. Although he missed all of 2024, Kendrick logged eight starts, 1341 defensive snaps, and 110 on ST in his first two years.

#235 E Daniel Hardy

No longer with team. Had some mop-up (41) and special teams (128) work as rookie.

#253 S Russ Yeast

No longer with team. Went from 113 snaps as a rookie to 802 in Year 2. A missed tackle rate of 20%+ did him in.

#261 T AJ Arcuri

Still bouncing between the roster and practice squad. 70 offensive and 33 ST reps in his rookie year was the apex.

2021 rookies​

#57 WR Tutu Atwell

His draft status and not reaching those expectations make him a perfect whipping post. He has developed slowly, but after an injury-filled rookie year, he’s upped his game. 23 starts and 1430 WR reps earned him a $10mil contract for 2025.

Rams WR Tutu Atwell has played 50% or more of the team's offensive snaps in 14 games last two years. Has averaged 3.7 catches for 47.8 yards in those games.

Does Atwell surpass Van Jefferson's 2021 statline of 50 catches for 802 yards? Feels like a realistic threshold.

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) June 10, 2025​

#103 ILB Ernest Jones

A package player in his first two years with 50+% of snaps, before blossoming into an every play (95%) linebacker. Rams decided to trade him over giving him a second contract.

#117 DT Bobby Brown

No longer with team. Started slowly, but his defensive snap count went up every year (22, 164, 313, 472). L.A. did not sign him to a second contract.

#130 CB Robert Rochell

No longer with team. Received plenty of defensive snaps (234) as a rookie and ST work in Year 2 (325), but was gone after two seasons.

#141 TE Jacob Harris

Big, fast TE/WR hybrid had some injury problems and with only 16 offensive snaps, never caught on. He did have 246 ST reps in 16 games.

#174 E Earnest Brown

No longer with team. After spending his rookie year on the PS, Brown had three starts and 136 defensive reps in that crazy 2022 season, but fell back in 2023 and was gone.

#233 RB Jake Funk

No longer with team. Played in 15 games with 21 snaps at running back and 204 on ST.

#249 WR Ben Skowronek

No longer with team, played three seasons before being shipped out. Got his feet wet as a rookie with 178 snaps, earned 11 starts and 696 in Year 2, but fell back down to 216 in final go-round. Good ST player with 718 career reps.

#252 E Chris Garrett

No longer with team. Only 10 Rams snaps total.

If you make the roster, you’re going to get looks​

It’s fair to say that Rams rookies under Sean McVay are going to make the roster and to see action. It might be as part of a rotation or package, but if they impress, they’re going to get snaps. Although the looks may be longer due to injuries or positional depth, all draftees see the field.

Since 2021, Rams players drafted in Rounds 1, 2, and 3 have played an average of 539 positional reps and another 38 on special teams. Draftees in Rounds 4, 5, 6, and 7 get an average 167 positional reps to go with 100 on special teams. That would be, roughly, 50% of total plays for the early draftees and 12-14% for the mid/late rounds.

Which of the Rams 2025 draftees will see the field most?

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/14/24448069/rams-sean-mcvay-2025-roster-rookies

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Who is most important to the Rams: McVay, Stafford, or Snead?

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Between these 3 key figures on the Rams, who is the most important?

On Father’s Day, it’s as good of a time as any to ask patriarchal-related questions about the Los Angeles Rams. Between these three men and these three alone, who do you think is the most important, most powerful, and most valuable person on the Rams right now:

Quarterback Matthew Stafford. The quarterback who flipped L.A.’s playoff luck around in 2021 (and his own) by winning the Super Bowl in his first season.

Head coach Sean McVay. The head coach who inherited a team that had been 4-12 the year before his start and hadn’t won a playoff game in 13 years, but has since made the playoffs six times in either years.

General manager Les Snead. The general manager who started his job the year after the Rams went 2-14 and who made draft decisions like Aaron Donald, Todd Gurley, and Cooper Kupp, as well as bold trades. If not for Snead, would there even be a McVay or a Stafford?

But without McVay, would Stafford have won his first playoff game in 13 years?

But without Stafford, would McVay have ever won the Super Bowl?

Choosing between McVay, Stafford, and Snead might be like choosing a favorite between your three sons. Do it anyway.

Who do you think has the most power, influence, and value to the Rams? Who is the most important?

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/15/24449709/ams-mcvay-stafford-snead-most-important

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Can you guess this Rams cornerback in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Rams player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Do you want to play “Wordle” but for Rams players instead of words?

With your in-depth knowledge of the Rams, can you guess a Rams players in 5 clues or less? 3 clues or less? 2 clues? Test yourself! You’re the expert! Whether you love it or hate it, we’d appreciate feedback at this Google Form.

If you can’t see the embedded game and you’re using Apple News, click this link.

Previous games​

Saturday, June 14, 2025
Friday, June 13, 2025
Thursday, June 12, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
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Turf Show Times in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Rams player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/15/24449594/sb-nation-rams-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[monster_masterpiece]

Everything is possible.

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Plan B: Can Rams get by without Alaric Jackson?

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Alaric Jackson’s status is in limbo, Rams sign DJ Humphries

There’s no good time to lose your franchise left tackle.

The Los Angeles Rams had just signed Alaric Jackson to a three-year, $57M deal in free agency, and now on the eve of training camp they are drawing up contingency plans for the season. Jackson is battling a recurring instance of blood clotting, which kept him from playing over the second half of the 2022 season.

You can find silver linings amidst the chaos:

• We don’t actually know whether Jackson will miss time
• If he does, the Rams have all training camp to find alternatives
• It’s not often you can find a player like DJ Humphries off the street
• This could have cropped up during the season

It’s worth assessing the Rams’ plan B and whether they can meet their lofty Super Bowl expectations without Jackson. Signing Humphries in a pinch is a positive, but is he an overall downgrade from plan A? Attrition happens at the margins in the NFL and can be the difference between average to good, good to great, and great to elite.

What is LA’s backup plan?​

There are three potential alternatives should Jackson miss time:

DJ Humphries​

Humphries was a first round selection by the Arizona Cardinals in 2016, where he played for eight years. The veteran spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs but was used sparingly. The Chiefs felt Joe Thuney—who normally plays along the interior—was their better option at left tackle.

David Quessenberry​

Quessenberry has notched playing time at both left and right tackle over his NFL career, though his lone starting season he primarily played on the right side for the Tennessee Titans. While he’s mostly been a depth player, he’s been buck average when on the field. He’ll bring an element of professionalism and competence to help the Rams find a floor should Jackson and/or Rob Havenstein miss time.

Warren McClendon​

The Rams drafted McClendon in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He made five starts for the Rams last year with four coming on the right side of the line. The results were mixed but mostly improved over the course of the season and depending on the opposition. McClendon might have something worth working with, but inserting him into the lineup likely brings a lower floor than what Humphries or Quessenberry might offer. That may not be a risk you can live with at tackle.

What does DJ Humphries offer to the Rams?​

Humphries’ career in Arizona didn’t come to a close because of performance. It was more a story of availability. Out of eight seasons with the Cardinals, Humphries played more than 600 snaps in only three. He also suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2023.

We could put aside the production from last season with the Chiefs, which is an outlier from the rest of his career; however, last season probably tells a meaningful story about where Humphries is post-injury and towards the end of his career.

In only two starts with Kansas City in 2024, Humphries allowed 11 total pressures (including three sacks) and was penalized twice. He played a total of 25 snaps in these two matchups against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14 and versus the Denver Broncos in Week 18.

Humphries has historically been an oft-penalized player:

2016 - six on 599 snaps​

2019 - 13 on 677​

2020 - seven on 695​

2021 - 12 on 699​

2023 - nine on 568​

Outside of a lack of availability and penalties, the Rams should consider themselves fortunate they could sign Humphries at this state of the offseason. He’s an average to above average starter and provides an insurance policy in the case Jackson misses extended time.

This is how Humphries graded in recent seasons according to Pro Football Focus (PFF):

2020 - 88.3 OFF; 90.8 RUN; 79.9 PASS​

2021 - 67.5 OFF: 69.8 RUN; 65.7 PASS​

2022 - 72.3 OFF; 57.5 RUN; 80.5 PASS​

2023 - 62.5 OFF; 56.5 RUN; 68.4 PASS​

2024 - 44.8 OFF; 66.1 RUN; 30.5 PASS​

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/16/24450418/rams-alaric-jackson-injury-dj-humphries

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Former Rams draft pick joins Cowboys

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Cornerback Robert Rochell has signed in Dallas

Robert Rochell is headed to Dallas. The former Rams cornerback, a fourth round pick out of Central Arkansas in 2021, is signing a free agent contract with the Cowboys according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move for Rochell comes after spending the last two seasons with the Green Bay Packers, but Rochell has barely seen the field in the past three years.

After making five starts as a rookie in L.A., Rochell is just hanging onto his career by a thread and the Cowboys will give him one more lifeline.

Another new home for another former Packers cornerback: Free-agent CB Robert Rochell reached agreement today on a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys, per agent Kevin Conner of @UniSportsMgmt. pic.twitter.com/GpUZtR3iKK

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 18, 2025​

An athletic marvel, Rochell clocked a 4.41 40-yard dash and 43” vertical at 5’11, 193 lbs at the 2021 combine. He also had a broad jump over 11 feet and ran the three-cone in 6.84 seconds. This was enough for the Rams to draft Rochell in the fourth round despite playing at “mid-major” Central Arkansas.

Rochell played 234 defensive snaps as a rookie and had a great opportunity to earn a starting role as a cornerback on the 2022 team, especially given all of L.A.’s struggles that year, but he played just 26 snaps over 17 games. He was waived in 2023 and spent time on the practice squads for the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers prior to joining the Packers that October.

Rochell has played in just one snap over the past two years combined, but was a semi-regular on special teams. He now joins a Cowboys team with a lot of competition, but can he make the 53?

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/18/24451767/rams-free-agent-cowboys-robert-rochell

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

5 players from the UFL Rams should consider for a tryout in training camp

Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Here are five players that the Rams should consider from the UFL heading into training camp?

Over the past couple of years, the UFL has been a good opportunity for young players looking for an opportunity to put out strong tape for NFL teams and earn a tryout. Last year, 21 players who were in the UFL in 2024 made an NFL roster or practice squad. Kicker Jake Bates and defensive lineman Jalen Redmond were two of the best examples. While the Los Angeles Rams didn’t explore the pipeline last season, there are a few players that could be worth exploring before the team begins training camp on July 22. Here are five players from the UFL that the Rams should consider.

1. QB Bryce Perkins​

It wouldn’t hurt for the Rams to bring in some competition for Stetson Bennett as the third quarterback on the roster. Heading into year three, some would have expected Bennett to be in a position in which he could be trusted to be the backup behind Stafford. That hasn’t been the case and there’s a reason the Rams brought back Jimmy Garoppolo.

Perkins won the UFL’s MVP, displaying his ability to extend plays and use his legs. He had five rushing touchdowns to go with 269 rushing yards. Perkins was also the UFL’s most efficient passer, throwing for 1900 yards with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. Typically, the Rams have brought in four quarterbacks during training camp to have two of them available for the preseason. Last year, that fourth quarterback was Dresser Winn. The benefit with Perkins is that he has experience in the Rams offense and ecosystem. While he was a raw passer during his time with the Rams, the UFL has allowed him to develop.

BRYCE PERKINS

ANOTHER 4TH & 12 CONVERSION

: ABC pic.twitter.com/hc5GBIv8TH

— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) June 15, 2025​

2. LB Olakunle Fatukasi​

Like Perkins, Fatukasi is another player that has spent time with the Rams in recent years. While the Rams have improved at linebacker this offseason with the additions of Chris Paul Jr. and Shaun Dolac, it wouldn’t hurt to add players behind them. Fatukasi likely wouldn’t be a roster candidate, but could compete with Elias Neal and get stashed on the practice squad.

Fatukasi was a late cut by the St. Louis Battlehawks, but proved to be a solid rotational piece on defense and excellent special teams player. He was a sure-tackler on defense with a missed tackle rate of just 5.3 percent. Again, the Rams are deeper at linebacker than they have been in past years, but Fatukasi is familiar with the defense and may be worth a summer tryout.

3. OT Yasir Durant​

It’s unlikely that an offensive lineman at the UFL level is going to start in the NFL. The position lacks depth at the NFL level and there is a huge drop off in offensive line play in the UFL. Still, the Rams could use some tackle depth as Alaric Jackson deals with blood clots. DJ Humphries and David Quessenberry were brought in as experienced options. However, the Rams could use a player that can compete for a practice squad position or end of the roster spot along with Trey Wedig and AJ Arcuri.

Durant is 27, but last spent time in the NFL with the Denver Broncos in 2023. At 6’7, 330-pounds, Durant was the highest-graded UFL tackle via PFF, taking 787 snaps on the left side. He had a pass-blocking grade of 81.9 and ranked second in run-blocking with a grade of 73.2. His size has helped him in the UFL and warrants a look. The Rams options at tackle are going to be limited at this point in the offseason.

4. RB Toa Taua​

The Rams seem to have a very solid four at running back when it comes to Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Jarquez Hunter, and Ronnie Rivers. This isn’t necessarily a position of need for the Rams and Taua isn’t an explosive player with speed. However, it’s hard not to like what Taua did for the Michigan Panthers this season. Taua hasn’t changed much from a play style perspective from his days at Nevada. This is a player that runs hard and physical. That’s a style of runner that the Rams are missing in the backfield.

Taua may not compete for a roster spot, but he can certainly compete with Cody Shrader for a place on the practice squad. He ranked third in missed tackles forced last season and had nine touchdowns. Taua also showed that he can have an impact in the passing game. He had an impressive 79.2 pass-blocking grade and showed an ability to catch passes out of the backfield. Toa was one of the best feel-good stories in the UFL this season and deserves a NFL tryout.

Toa Taua does not go down easy!#LetsHunt pic.twitter.com/mnMUxizIKf

— Michigan Panthers Dude (@MIPanthersDude) June 15, 2025​

5. DL Kyon Barrs​

The Rams’ strength on the roster is the defensive line, but that’s also a position group in which you can never have too much depth. It’s going to be hard for any player to break into that position group, but the Rams need players that they can stash on the practice squad if needed.

Barrs doesn’t have a lot of upside as a pass rusher, but as a 1T or 3T he has shown an ability to be a force in the run game. A former USC Trojan, Barrs is just 6’2, 290-pounds, but the Rams tend to go smaller on the defensive front. He spent last offseason with the Seattle Seahawks and has earned another spot on a NFL team this summer.

Source: @XFLRenegades DT Kyon Barrs is generating NFL interest from multiple teams, following his #UFL campaign.

Barrs started in all 10 games this year, with 23 tackles, a TFL, & a sack for Arlington.

Had a stint with the #Seahawks last summer. pic.twitter.com/740pTjxe2u

— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) June 16, 2025​

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/19/24452163/rams-ufl-players-worth-tryout-2025-bryce-perkins

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Before Sean McVay, there was Lionel Taylor

Photo by © Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Taylor was an offensive guru on par with McVay, only he never got his chance in the spotlight

Lionel Taylor was Sean McVay before the L.A. Rams coach came along, only the league wasn’t ready to see it.

When thinking about the 1979 Rams, Lionel Taylor is probably the last person you think of. That is not surprising to anyone familiar with Taylor’s story. However, his offensive acumen and leadership skills were instrumental to the Rams’ first Super Bowl appearance.

Taylor began his coaching career with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1970-76 at the height of the franchise’s dynasty. He was the team’s wide receivers coach during that span and helped shape future Hall of Famers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth into the best receiver tandem in the league.

Pittsburgh won the 1975 and 1976 Super Bowls, partially due to Taylor’s development of Swann and Stallworth; yet, he wanted more, and that’s what led him to Hollywood.

Taylor spent five seasons in Los Angeles, leaving the Steelers following their ‘76 big game win over the Dallas Cowboys. His role with the Rams was the same as his previous stop, and he stayed in that position for his first three years. L.A. also made an unexpected run to the 1980 Super Bowl against none other than Taylor’s former team.

While the Steelers went on a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter to secure their fourth and final Lombardi Trophy of the decade in the 31-19 win, Taylor had earned a promotion. Or more so, it was a declaration of what he already was.

Although he wasn’t formally the Rams’ offensive coordinator during the SB season, he was officially given the title beginning in the 1980 campaign. The results were immediate:

“The Rams, previously ranked 15th out of 28 in scoring offense, upped their output by 31 percent in his first year as OC. Los Angeles had the top-ranked rushing attack and tied for the most passing touchdowns that year,” per Denver Broncos digital media contributor Ben Swanson.

In Taylor’s first season as L.A.’s OC, the Rams scored 26.5 points per game, good enough for third in the league. Los Angeles had 6,006 yards of offense that year as the team improved from 9-7 to 11-5. Quarterback Vince Ferragamo threw 30 touchdown passes, with four running backs having over 400 yards on the ground, led by Cullen Bryant’s 807 yards.

Unfortunately, the offensive success didn’t last. The 1981 Rams dipped to 21st in points per game, as the team finished 6-10. Head coach Ray Malavasi kept his job while Taylor and the rest of the coaching staff were fired.

For a time, it seemed like Taylor was destined to earn his long-awaited promotion of becoming an NFL head coach. Again, the league just wasn’t ready for him.

Taylor’s resume with the Steelers and Rams should’ve made him the first Black head coach of the modern era. Instead, Art Shell earned the distinction after the Raiders hired him in 1989, coincidentally, the same year Taylor returned to the pros following a seven-year hiatus.

Taylor making history with the Rams ultimately meant nothing. The odds were completely stacked against him from the jump.

First and Pen writer Louis Moore wrote an excellent piece on Taylor in February 2021, saying:

“He should have been the first, but as a Black man, Lionel Taylor had three strikes against him. He was honest, ambitious, and good. This made him a threat to the white power structure. As a Black man, he had no shot at a head coaching position, at least not in the immediate future. He knew it and owners knew it. Ever since he began as a receivers coach for the Steelers, when he was only one of four Black assistants in the NFL, he held a realist view that racism would hold him back.”

The league missed out on a special offensive mind, delaying the racial progress that should’ve been made a priority in the first place. Taylor only getting one more chance despite his relatively successful Rams tenure was a joke, especially when white coaches have historically had few issues finding work after receiving pink slips.

These remain issues to this day because not enough people have cared to examine those troubling patterns more closely. The Rams and the NFL owe a great deal to Taylor.

He gave everything to the game he loved, but it gave him nothing back.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/19/24452241/rams-history-lionel-taylor-racism-mcvay

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

A way-too-early Rams roster projection: Who gets in and who is left out

Matthew Stafford missed it by that much | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Complete with depth chart and practice squad

With the conclusion of the Los Angeles Rams mandatory mini-camp, L.A. wraps up their spring Organized Team Activities. The Rams 90-man roster will reconvene For Day 1 of official training camp on July 22. While it’s much too early in the process for coaches to pencil in the opening roster, there’s no time like the present for fans and sports blogger’s to speculate.

Rams have wrapped up OTAs and minicamp. The next time they take the field will be July 22 for training camp.

Here's what we learned from the spring/early summer. One thing...the Rams may have found something in Emmanuel Forbes. https://t.co/PY3EBTggJf

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) June 19, 2025​

With that in mind, here’s my way-to-early roster/depth chart projections.

Quarterback (2) ​

Locks - Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garapollo

Practice squad - Stetson Bennett

I would expect to see the Rams bring in a camp arm for QB#4. Stafford and Garapollo only need enough throws to get sharp/in shape. Not one more. And they will need a backup in preseason games lest Bennett gets injured or implodes.

Running back (3) ​

Locks - Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Jarquez Hunter

Practice squad - Ronnie Rivers

Cut - Cody Schrader, Jordan Waters

Three’s plenty. You could make small case for Rivers as a special teamer, but I think I’ve got those spots covered. I liked Waters college film and as the only “big back”, he could battle for at least a PS role.

Jordan Waters (@jordanwaters_) will be suiting up for NC State this season.

With a career high of 819 rushing yards and a max speed of 21.6 mph, how will Waters enhance the Wolfpack’s performance? #1Pack1Goal

https://t.co/eQpG3v2CTF pic.twitter.com/LeBsBSw69T

— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) May 28, 2024​

Wide receiver (6) ​

Locks - Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington

Battle winner - Xavier Smith, Konata Mumpfield

Practice squad - Britain Covey, Mario Williams

Cut - Drake Stoops, Quintez Cephus, Brennan Presley, Tru Edwards

Nothing too surprising here. I prefer Smith over Covey, think he adds more positional value than just punt returner. I really like Williams’ game, just a bit small, hopefully he will take to ST. If Covey doesn’t want a PS berth, Presley has very similar traits.

Tight end (4) ​

Locks - Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, Colby Parkinson

Battle winner - Davis Allen

Practice squad - Mark Redman

Cut - Alex Torres

L.A. has four pretty good tight ends, but they are all similar in play style, receiver first. I like the undrafted rookies, Redman and Torres, both are more traditional TE’s with blocking skills. I kept Redman because he’s more polished and Torres has some injuries in his past, but last year, the Rams kept two on the PS for the whole season.

Offensive line (9) ​

Locks - Rob Havenstein, Kevin Dotson, Coleman Shelton, Steve Avila, DJ Humphries, Beaux Limmer, Warren McClendon

Battle winners - Dylan McMahon, KT Leveston

PUP/IR - Alaric Jackson

Practice squad - AJ Arcuri, Willie Lampkin, Trey Wedig

Cut - David Quessenberry, Garrett Bowles, Ben Dooley, Justin Dedich

The Rams are flush with interior players, but thin at the bookends with the instability around AJax. I rostered McClendon as backup tackle, Limmer as backup guard, McMahon backs up the pivot, and Leveston as the swing G/T.

Special teams (3) ​

Locks - Josh Karty, Ethan Evans, Alex Ward

Only injury would hold back this solid trio.

Cornerback (5) ​

Locks - Darius Williams, Cobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon, Emmanuel Forbes

Battle winner - Josh Wallace

Practice squad - Shaun Jolly, AJ Green

Cut - Charles Woods, Cam Lampkin, Derion Kedrick

Update: Rams re-sign Derion Kendrick. Doesn’t move my needle, I would think he’s still on the bubble. Wallace was a major ST contributor and had more defensive snaps (154) than most realize before a minor injury scuttled his momentum. The Rams seem to like keeping Jolly around (entering 4th year) and AJ Green impressed in OTAs. The ST play/experience of Woods bump either one of them.

Safety (5) ​

Locks - Quentin Lake, Kamren Curl, Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough

Battle winner - Nate Valcarcel

Practice squad - Malik Dixon-Williams

Cut - Tanner Ingle

Returning all four primary safeties has to be a good thing, hopefully they can improve on their overall missed tackle rate. Valcarcel gets on because of his athletic traits and hustle, plus he’s a true free safety.

Nate Valcarcel with the interception, NIU's third of the night pic.twitter.com/LKqHafkTkQ

— NIU Athletics (@NIUAthletics) November 7, 2024​

Linebacker (5) ​

Locks - Omar Speights, Nate Landman, Chris Paul, Shaun Dolac,

Battle winner - Troy Reeder

Practice squad - Tony Fields, Elias Neal

L.A. could cobble a decent rotation out this grouping. Landman is known as a run-stopper and has been drawing good reviews in OTAs, Speights was serviceable as a rookie and should show improvement, Paul could the most well-rounded, and Dolac will play like his hair’s on fire. I have Reeder making the 53, but could be limited to ST.

Edge (5) ​

Locks - Jared Verse, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart

Battle winners - Brennan Jackson, Nick Hampton

Practice squad - Keir Thomas

Cut - Jamil Muhammad, Josh Pearcy

A high pair to draw to in this unit, but there are questions behind Verse and Young. If Stewart can make the jump as a rookie, nerves will be settled, Hard to get a read on Jackson and Hampton. Jackson fought soft tissue woes most of his rookie season, delaying real development and Hampton enters his third pro season, mostly on ST. Thomas may be the best football player, but he’s a 4-3 defensive end, just not mobile enough for today’s standup edge play.

Defensive line (6) ​

Locks - Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden Fiske, Ty Hamilton

Battle winners - Tyler Davis, Larrell Murchison

Practice squad - Desjuan Johnson, Bill Norton

Cut - Jack Heflin, Da’Jon Terry, Decarius Hawthorne

A solid deep rotation, now that a couple of run-stuffers have been added to the mix. It will interesting how Chris Shula formulates packages and Giff Smith sets up the rotation. It’s a numbers game for Desjuan Johnson, who has over 100 backup snaps in each of the past two years.

Projected training camp depth chart​

Offense​

QB - Stafford, Garappolo, Bennett

RB - K.Williams, Corum, Hunter, Rivers, Schrader, Waters

XWR - Adams, Whittington, Cephus, Edwards

YWR - Nacua, Mumpfield, M.Williams, Stoops

ZWR - Atwell, Smith, Covey, Presley

TE - Higbee, Parkinson, Ferguson, Allen, Redman, Torres

RT - Havenstein, McClendon, Wedig

RG - Dotson, Limmer, Bowles

C - Shelton, McMahon, Lampkin

LG - Avila, Leveston, Dedich, Dooley

LT - Humphries, Quessenberry, Arcuri

In honor of DJ Humphries signing -- getting a little nast with Khalil Mack -- 2024 pic.twitter.com/RIStnaS5RX

— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) June 13, 2025​

Defense​

DT - Turner, Davis, Johnson, Hawthorne

NT - Ford, Hamilton, Norton,

DT- Fiske, Murchison, Heflin, Terry

OLB/E - Young, Hampton, Muhammd, Pearcy

DE/E - Verse, Stewart, Jackson, Thomas

MLB - Landman, Speights, Reeder, Neal

WLB - Paul, Dolac, Fields,

FS - Kinchens, Valcarcel

SS - Curl, McCollough, Ingle, Dixon-Williams

Star - Lake, Wallace, Jolly

CB - D. Williams, Forbes, Kendrick, Woods

CB - Durant, Witherspoon, Green, Lampkin

Special teams​

K - Josh Karty

P - Ethan Evans

LS - Alex Ward

Physically Unable to Perform​

RT - Alaric Jackson

Conclusions​

Since both Sean McVay and Les Snead have mentioned how much they like the roster and how few openings there will be, I don’t expect many surprises, unless injuries force wholesale moves. Even with the mystery at left tackle, the roster appears to be incrementally improved and deeper, but still cohesive with last year.

Which players would you exchange? What units need to be upgraded over the summer? Can you identify any surprise players? Faves?

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/6/20/24448285/rams-roster-depth-chart-projection-post-otas