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[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams schedule thoughts: Litmus Test Before the Bye

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

49ers, Ravens, and Jaguars will test Rams ahead of scheduled bye week

We’re diving deep into the Los Angeles Rams’ schedule. Taking it piece-by-piece and breaking into natural segments based on strength of opposition and key matchups.

Weeks 1-4, The Opening Quarter: Texans, Titans, Eagles, Colts​

Weeks 5-8, Litmus Test Before the Bye: 49ers, Ravens, Jaguars​

Weeks 9-13, Clash Against the NFC South: Saints, 49ers, Seahawks, Buccaneers, Panthers​

Weeks 14-18, A Potentially Tough Close: Cardinals, Lions, Seahawks, Falcons, Cardinals​

Next up are weeks five through eight of the regular season, which will bring a tough test heading into the bye:

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Litmus Test Before the Bye​

There will be tougher matchups on the Rams’ calendar than the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts, both of whom LA will see in their first four games. Still, the Rams cannot afford to enter a tough stretch against three playoff hopefuls at worse than 2-2.

Los Angeles has started slow each of the past two seasons. With the way the schedule falls in 2025, they will not be afforded that luxury this year.

On an optimistic note—if LA does emerge from The Opening Quarter at 3-1 or better—they can cement their status as a top contender by winning at least two of the next three. Should that happen, we could be discussing the potential of the top seed in the NFC conference and the team hosting playoff games at SoFi Stadium.

But in a glass half empty view—should LA once again start slow—dropping multiple of three games against the 49ers, Ravens, and Jaguars could prove insurmountable over the second half of the year.

Week 5 vs San Francisco 49ers; Thursday, Oct 2nd​

I’m personally not too bullish on San Francisco’s prospects this upcoming season. Their star core is aging and oft-injured, and despite taking the team to a Super Bowl the jury is still largely out on whether Brock Purdy can elevate a lesser supporting cast.

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The 49ers are never an easy out. That’ll be true again in 2025, especially as defensive coordinator Robert Saleh returns and attempts to regain a lost sense of physicality.

The Rams bucked a historic trend by taking down the 49ers twice last season. This is still a division rival that’s had LA’s number since Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan joined the NFC West in 2017.

Week 6 at Baltimore Ravens; Sunday, Oct 12th​

Matchups against the Ravens haven’t been kind to the Rams in recent years.

Back in 2019 following the acquisition of Jalen Ramsey and trading Marcus Peters to Baltimore amidst a playoff push, Lamar Jackson scored five TD’s in a 45-6 rout of LA.

In Matthew Stafford’s first season in Los Angeles, the Rams edged out the Ravens 20-19 on their way to winning Super Bowl LVI. Jackson did not play in this game and Tyler Huntley was under center instead.

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

The latest contest came during the 2023 season and ended in overtime with a game-winning TD by Ravens punt returner Tylan Wallace. It was a back and forth effort where Stafford and Jackson combined for six TD’s. Former Ram Odell Beckham, Jr. got in on the action with nearly 100 yards and a score.

In short, this game is certain to be electric. Jackson has accumulated major statistics and two wins against the Rams when healthy—although nothing compared to Saquon Barkley’s two efforts against LA year year. This will be must-see TV.

At best it’s a 50-50 proposition that the Rams leave Baltimore with a win.

Week 7 at Jacksonville Jaguars (London); Sunday, Oct 19th​

Count out the Jaguars at your own peril.

Liam Coen comes to Jacksonville to get the best out of former number one overall pick Trevor Lawrence. This will also be LA’s first look at this year’s second overall pick and two-way WR/CB Travis Hunter.

But that doesn’t even touch on all the talent the Jaguars have accumulated. Brian Thomas, Jr. seems to be one of the brightest young names at the receiver position across all the NFL. The defense is littered with premium draft choices headlined by a formidable pass rushing duo in Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.

Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s possible that my optimism surrounding Jacksonville is year too early. Still, former Ram James Gladstone is pulling the right strings as general manager and has the team on an ascending path. He’s leading with boldness, something clearly gleamed from his time under Les Snead.

The Jaguars’ turnaround is purely predicated on their ability to help Lawrence reach new heights. He’s as physically talented as any quarterback in the NFL and that could easily prove challenging in an already tough stretch of the Rams’ schedule.

Week 8: BYE​

A bye week squarely in the middle of the season is what you hope for ahead of the schedule release. It’s not too early and it’s far from too late.

It’ll be worth monitoring Alaric Jackson’s health to start the season. Should he miss time early, the bye week could be an ideal point to bring him back into the fold.

We should also keep an eye on young players who might be due for a larger role over the second half of the year, such as second round rookie TE Terrance Ferguson breaking into the starting lineup or increased workloads for running backs Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter behind Kyren Williams.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/7/7/24463281/rams-nfl-schedule-49ers-ravens-jaguars

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

History of age-37 quarterbacks

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Can Matthew Stafford reach the pantheon of these great 37-year-old quarterbacks?

Extending your career to age 37 and beyond is a relatively new phenomenon in the NFL. How 37-year-old Matthew Stafford will perform this season is anyone’s guess, but the possibility of being the best quarterback in the league is only imaginable because we’ve seen it happen before with 37-year-old MVPs like Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers.

Could Stafford be the next?

A brief history of the 37-year-old quarterback​

The only two pre-1990s quarterback to throw over 400 passes at age 37 were George Blanda, who had a league-leading 505 attempts for the Houston Oilers in 1964, and Roger Staubach.

I think George Blanda’s widow still is cashing his civil war pension check pic.twitter.com/fOImtFJKzB

— Brian from Worcester (@Brian27843245) January 10, 2021​

The Hall of Famer who briefly retired at age 32 — and then returned to play 16 more seasons — led the NFL with 27 interceptions that year. Which was at least not as bad as the 42 interceptions that he threw in 1962 or the 30 interceptions that he threw in 1965.

Yes, it was a different passing era, but Blanda threw the most interceptions in every season from 1962 to 1965, a total of 124 interceptions in four years.

That was 39 more interceptions than the next-most by any quarterback.

Blanda continued to start at quarterback until he was 39, but spent his 40s as a kicker for the Oakland Raiders and extending his career until he was 48. He threw his last NFL touchdown when he was 47, but his last interception when he was 48.

Staubach had 461 passes for the Cowboys in 1979, throwing 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for a team that made the playoffs at 11-5. It would be Staubach’s final season despite being his fifth straight Pro Bowl nod.

We wouldn’t see another QB throw at least 400 passes at age 37 until Steve DeBerg in 1991, which he did with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Several more 37-year-old QBs trickled in through the 90s:​

• Warren Moon led the NFL in completion rate (58.3) in 1993
• Dave Krieg led the NFL in interceptions (21) in 1995
• John Elway won the Super Bowl in 1997 (and again in 1998)
• Steve Young and Dan Marino both continued to play at a high level until they were 38
• And Doug Flutie closed out the decade with his age-37 season in 1999, a year after winning Comeback Player of the Year with the Bills

History will look back on the 90s as the transition period from an era where QBs were expected to retire by 35 into one where these signal callers (and the NFL) realized they were leaving millions of dollars and many opportunities on the table by giving up too soon.

The league changed rules to protect their stars even more than they were already being protected and QBs were changing their health regiments to make sure they could squeeze every last day out of their playing careers...

Beginning with Tom Brady’s well-documented journey to turn a dad bod into the longest career of all-time.

Tom Brady: Monitored his health with a strict exercise and nutrition plan and regular advanced medical testing.

Ken Stabler: Woke up that morning so figured he was probably ok.

Advantage: Stabler pic.twitter.com/xDpcRyE0dL

— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) October 2, 2024​

The 2000s saw Vinny Testaverde, Rich Gannon (MVP), Brett Favre, and Kurt Warner (Super Bowl appearance) play at age 37, but career expectancy was taken to another level in the 2010s with Brady, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning.

Brady played until he was 45 (and led the NFL in attempts that year), while Manning enjoyed his best career statistical season at age 37, and Brees completed at least 70% of his passes in each season from age 37 to 41.

If you think that Stafford can’t hit career-highs in passing yards and touchdowns or win MVP because he’s coming off of three humdrum seasons with the Rams, you should think again.

Age 37 NFL records​

Most passing yards and TDs: Peyton Manning, 5,477 yards and 55 TDs in 2013​

Did you remember that after his missed the entire 2011 season with the Colts that many people expected Peyton Manning to return as a shell of his former self, if he ever returned at all? His free agency in 2012 was well-covered and interesting to monitor, but could the Broncos really be getting the same old Manning when he was 36 and coming off of neck surgery?

They got someone better than the old Peyton Manning.

At age 36, Manning led the NFL with 68.6% completions and a 79.6 QBR under head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. The next year, Adam Gase took over at OC and the Broncos scored 38 points per game as Manning totaled career-highs with 55 TDs and 5,477 passing yards. That game-changing season by Manning, who averaged 342.3 passing yards PER GAME (53 more yards than 2024 leader Joe Burrow in the same category) didn’t result in a Super Bowl win, but Manning’s dominance in Denver will never be forgotten.

And even when he actually was a shell of his former self, Manning finally got that second ring in 2015 right before retiring.

Most passing attempts: Drew Brees, 673 in 2016​

In 2016, Brees threw for 5,208 yards and 325.5 yards per game at age 37. He had 37 touchdowns with 15 interceptions but wasn’t even an MVP finalist because the Saints went 7-9 that year. But don’t blame the offense.

New Orleans ranked first in yards and second in scoring but 31st in points allowed.

Brees had two 1,000-yard receivers in Brandin Cooks and Michael Thomas, but drew a bad deck with his defense. It was the first of five consecutive years in which Brees completed at least 70% of his passes.

Highest Completion Percentage and passer rating: Aaron Rodgers, 70.7% and 121.5 in 2020​

At a time when he was under the microscope of the media for what he was doing off of the field, Rodgers won back-to-back MVPs for the Packers at age 37 and 38.

Between 2020-2021, Rodgers threw a combined 85 touchdowns and only nine (!) interceptions! It is perhaps the best stretch of QB play we’ve ever seen.

Whether or not Rodgers still has it with the Steelers at age 42 is unknown, but he was unstoppable until he was 38.

Super Bowl winners: Tom Brady (2014), John Elway (1997), Johnny Unitas (1970)​

Yes, you can win Super Bowls with 37-year-old quarterbacks. It has happened three times before.

In fact, Brady was dominant in the 2014 playoffs (10 TD) and led a fourth quarter comeback against the Seahawks in the Super Bowl.

Kurt Warner was possibly even better than Brady during Arizona’s run to the Super Bowl in 2008 (11 TD, 3 INT, 112.2 passer rating) and fell just shy of beating the Steelers.

Manning and Rich Gannon led their teams to the Super Bowl in 2013 and 2002, but also fell short.

But Elway led the Broncos to a Super Bowl win in 1997, while Unitas was on fire for the Colts in the 1970 playoffs, beating the Bengals, Raiders, and the Cowboys in the postseason. (Unitas had three turnovers in the Super Bowl win over Dallas, but I’m building a narrative over here.)

And that’s before being 37 was so widely accepted!

Matthew Stafford can do anything at age 37. He can win the Super Bowl, win MVP, lead the league in major stats, and have a career-season. He can also have a bad year...but that’s OLD news.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/7/7/24463439/rams-matthew-stafford-age-37-quarterbacks

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Matthew Stafford will have best supporting cast since joining Rams. Can he win again?

Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

ESPN ranks Rams supporting cast as top-5 in the NFL

When Matthew Stafford spent the first 12 years of his career with the Detroit Lions, the narrative was always that the quarterback never had a consistent supporting cast to help him. That immediately changed when Stafford arrived to the Los Angeles Rams and was met with Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and a good defense led by Aaron Donald.

Due to injuries and a transition period on the team’s salary cap, the Rams haven’t been able to provide Stafford that same level of supporting cast since. However, that has changed heading into 2025 as the biggest offseason addition for the Rams was the signing of wide receiver Davante Adams.

It’s pretty clear that as long as the Rams are healthy along the offensive line and Stafford has a strong supporting cast, the quarterback will put his team in position to win. In 2023, the Rams went 6-1 down the stretch when healthy and had a chance to beat the Detroit Lions on the final drive in the playoffs. They went 6-1 again last year in the final seven games of the regular season, and then had a chance to win on the final drive in the playoffs against the Philadelphia Eagles.

As Stafford gets older, those opportunities become less of a guarantee. That’s especially the case when considering some of Stafford’s inconsistencies even when the Rams were successful down the stretch last season.

Heading into 2025, the Rams may have one foot in the now and another in the future, but it’s clear they would like to make one more push with Stafford at quarterback. It would have been easy for the Rams to move on from Stafford this offseason when teams inquired about a potential trade. Still, the Rams opted to keep Stafford for 2025 with the hopes of trying to capitalize on another Super Bowl window.

The positive for Stafford is that this may be the best supporting cast that he’s had since joining the Rams. Every season, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell ranks the playmakers from each NFL team. Coming in at number five for the 2025 season was the Rams. Said Barnwell,

“If you could guarantee 17 games from the Rams’ big three at their 2024 levels of play, they might challenge to rank No. 1 here. Puka Nacua missed six games and still came within a screen of making it to 1,000 yards, as his 3.7 yards per route run comfortably led the NFL. Kyren Williams ranked sixth in rushing yards per game despite not having a single run top 30 yards...After a difficult first three months of the year, Davante Adams brought in 576 receiving yards and six scores from December 1 onward, ranking among the league leaders in both categories. Can the Rams expect all three of those guys to live up to those expectations? Nacua is a superstar. Williams is a great gap-scheme back, but he has also fumbled eight times over the past two seasons. And Adams had been declining since the start of 2023 before a late-season surge with longtime friend Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. These guys are all great players, so while I have my reservations about the Rams getting the most out of Adams, it would hardly be a surprise if they all garnered Pro Bowl consideration.”

Barnwell’s number five ranking for the Rams playmakers is certainly notable. It’s also the best ranking that the Rams have had since Stafford took over. Looking at past seasons, the highest the Rams ranked was seventh in 2022:

• 2021 - 10th
• 2022 - 7th
• 2023 - 23rd
• 2024 - 9th

This is the first time that Stafford has had a supporting cast ranked inside the top-five. Nacua and Adams are arguably a top-three wide receiver duo. While Williams may not be a top-10 running back, he still managed four 100-yard games last season.

The biggest question mark for the Rams offense is exactly where you don’t want questions which is on the offensive line. DJ Humphries will be expected to step in at left tackle while Alaric Jackson recovers from blood clots. As it stands, the Rams are seen to have an average offensive line. PFF recently ranked them 15th while Sharp Football Analytics ranked them 13th. Said Sharp Football,

“The offensive line finished 13th in our rankings for the second consecutive year, earning one top 10 vote in the process. The biggest question facing the Rams is the health of left tackle Alaric Jackson, who is being treated for blood clots in his leg three months after signing an extension.”

If the Rams are able to head into the 2025 season healthy, this will be the best supporting cast that Stafford has had since joining the team in 2021. Stafford has already gotten the monkey off of his back by winning the Super Bowl in 2021, but another season in which the Rams are among the best teams in the NFL and another deep playoff run could add to his legacy.

With Stafford heading into his age 37 season, these opportunities are dwindling. The Rams front office has done its job of surrounding Stafford with a strong supporting cast. It will be up to Stafford on what he does with it.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/7/8/24463799/rams-matthew-stafford-supporting-cast

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams trivia: Your in-5 daily game, Wednesday edition

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​

Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Monday, July 7, 2025
Sunday, July 6, 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/2025/7/9/24464412/sb-nation-rams-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams camp starts in two weeks: Reviewing the veteran/youngster roster mix

Safety Quentin Lake is one of many 4th year Rams in the final season of their contract | Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Les Snead and Sean McVay have constructed a balanced group

The start to the 2025 season is counting down with the Los Angeles Rams set to open camp in two weeks, July 23. The preseason campaign is one month away, beginning with an August 9 meeting with the Dallas Cowboys.

Head coach Sean McVay starts camp with a full 90-man roster and must navigate only one serious health problem, Alaric Jackson’s recurring blood clot problem. In spring workouts. both McVay and General Manager Les Snead made mention of how tough it was going to break onto the roster. An argument can be made that this is the best supporting cast of characters since 2021.

Veterans and Youngsters​

Here’s how the training camp roster lays out according to years of NFL service. The Rams have a handful of promising stars still on their first contract, but notice how McVay and Snead have mixed in veterans at every level. The sign of well-constructed roster.

Ages as of the end of the current year are in parentheses and my way-too-early roster projection are in bold.

Year 17​

QB Matthew Stafford (37)

Is there magic at 37?

Year 12​

WR Davante Adams (33), QB Jimmy Garappolo (34)

Adams hasn’t shown the signs of slowing down, but the Rams do expect physicality from their wide receivers. How will they use him? I don’t see his role to mirror Cooper Kupp’s WR/TE hybrid. Garappolo has the experience to hold down the fort.

Year 11​

T Rob Havenstein (33)

How much longer can Hav lock down the right side? Injury has reared it’s head for two straight seasons and I thought he had lost a step last season.

Year 10​

TE Tyler Higbee (32), T DJ Humphries (32)

There can be no question, if Alaric Jackson misses substantial time, Humphries play will be intensely scrutinized. Higbee is back to reclaim his place at tight end and should be in the best shape/place of his career.

very nice rep for DJ Humphries vs Bosa, shuffles, didn't kick step, knee bent took the blow and extended his long arms and anchored --- nice job

if he's a Rams glad to know he can still do this pic.twitter.com/aJ3PtfTlJ0

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

Year 9​

CB Ahkello Witherspoon (30), T David Quessenberry (35)

Two well-traveled players. Both have been backups/spot starters for the entirety of their careers.

Year 8 ​

CB Darious Williams (32), DT Poona Ford (30)

On the back ends of their respective careers. If Ford has to be double-teamed 50% of snaps, as he was last year, the Rams defensive front playmakers will feast. Williams fought soft tissue woes after returning to L.A., but was very good in 2023 and is a wily vet.

Year 7 ​

ILB Troy Reeder (31), C Coleman Shelton (30)

Two undrafted over-achievers that have carved out nice careers. Reeder’s snaps/starts have began to slide, but Shelton has 43 consecutive starts in the pivot.

Year 6 ​

S Kamren Curl (26), G Kevin Dotson (29), CB AJ Green (27), DT Larrell Murchison (28), TE Colby Parkinson (26)

Each player in this group started their NFL careers with other teams. Not a real surprise for mid-rung players.

Year 5 ​

WR Tutu Atwell (26), ILB Tony Fields (26), DT Jack Heflin (27), T Alaric Jackson (27)

The second contract year. McVay and Snead thought enough of Atwell and AJax to re-up them as long-term keepers, although they did hedge their bet with Atwell. Although lucrative, his one-year deal still has the ring of “show me” to it.

Year 4​

T AJ Arcuri (28), WR Britain Covey (28), CB Cobie Durant (27), CB Shaun Jolly (27), CB Derion Kendrick (25), S Quentin Lake (26), ILB Nate Landman (27), RB Ronnie Rivers (26), E Keir Thomas (27), RB Kyren Williams (25)

Final year of the rookie contract and the point where players can choose free agency, After four seasons, you have been designated as a long-term keeper or may need a breath of fresh air somewhere else. You could make a case that all these players move on from L.A. after 2025.

Year 3​

TE Davis Allen (24), G Steve Avila (26), QB Stetson Bennett (28), P Ethan Evans (24), CB Emmanuel Forbes (24), E Nick Hampton (25), S Tanner Ingle (26), DT Desjuan Johnson (26), T Warren McClendon (24), WR Puka Nacua (24), WR Xavier Smith (28), DT Kobie Turner (26), LS Alex Ward (26), QB Dresser Winn (27), E Byron Young (27)

The point at which NFL talent begins to weed out. Teams know where players fit, or don’t going forward. The Rams appear in very good shape in this group with six of starting-grade and a couple of others who can offer value.

Year 2​

RB Blake Corum (25), DT Tyler DavIs (25), G Justin Dedich (25), DT Braden Fiske (25), E Brennan Jackson (25), PK Josh Karty (23), S Kamren Kinchens (23), CB Cam Lampkin (24), G KT Leveston (26), IOL Beaux Limmer (24), S Jaylen McCollough (25), C Dylan McMahon (24), ILB Elias Neal (24), RB Cody Schrader (26), ILB Omar Speights (24), WR Drake Stoops (26), E Jared Verse (25), CB Josh Wallace (25), WR Jordan Whittington (25), CB Charles Woods (25)

12 Rams rookies got a start or significant snaps in 2024. If it plays out that NFL rookies improve most between years one and two, L.A. has solid core of mid-20’s talent. Both playmakers and solid role players in this group.

Every Blake Corum rookie season rush + target pic.twitter.com/ByGOcVKe7V

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) July 2, 2025​

2025 drafted rookies​

TE Terrance Ferguson (22), DT Ty Hamilton (23), RB Jarquez Hunter (23), WR Konata Mumpfield (23), ILB Chris Paul (23), E Josaiah Stewart (22)

It has been the Rams way to roster their rookie draft picks and since this group seems to have been specifically targeted, there is no reason to expect otherwise. Mumpfield had a soft tissue problem in spring drills, but should be ready for camp.

Undrafted free agents ​

G Wyatt Bowles (25), S Malik Dixon-Williams (24), ILB Shaun Dolac (24), G Ben Dooley (25), WR Tru Edwards (25), DT Decarius Hawthorne (24), IOL Willie Lampkin (23), E Jamil Muhammad (25), DT Bill Norton (25), E Josh Pearcy (24), WR Brennan Presley (23), TE Mark Redman (24), DT Da’Jon Terry (25), TE Anthony Torres (26), S Nate Valcarcel (22), RB Jordan Waters (25), T Trey Wedig (23), WR Mario Williams (22)

In past years, there might be a case for as many as seven of these UDFAs to have a shot at making the opening roster, but as the Rams overall depth improves, these players are the first to feel the squeeze.

Final notes​

A little more than three out of four (75.5%) Rams are homegrown and of the 23 players added from the outside, 13 are starters or primary backups. The other nine face an uphill battle on the roster bubble.

Age-wise, 63 Rams will play this season at age 26 or younger (66.7%), 15 are between 27 and 29 (16.7%), are under 30, and 12 (13.3%) are 30+ grey beards. Even after final cuts, L.A. should have about 75% of the opening roster under 30 years old. A good look for the future.

With the start to 2025 just ahead, the Rams roster looks to be a nice mix of veterans and youngsters, playmakers and role players.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/7/9/24463854/rams-training-camp-sean-mcvay-les-snead

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

“Nobody wants to play the Rams”

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Bootleg Football recaps Rams’ offseason moves and previews upcoming season

Bootleg Football—a podcast by Brett Kollmann and EJ Snyder—published an in-depth breakdown on the Los Angeles Rams’ prospects for 2025.

Recaps how the Rams made the playoffs last season, analyzes every offseason move, and contemplates their chances for the upcoming season. It’s a must-listen this time of the offseason for fans of the team:

These are the discussed topics that I found the most interesting myself:

• It’s tough to measure what the Rams were last offseason because most statistics are clouded by a slow start and injuries
• On paper, the Rams were the 20th best team in football last year
• Running concepts: how Sean McVay puts his spin on man principles, why the offensive line is well-suited for this scheme, and blast vs duo
• LA’s prioritization of defensive front over linebackers and secondary
• What we can expect from the partnership of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams
• Why Alaric Jackson was a free agent bargain, prior to health concerns
• In-depth opinions on Rams 2025 NFL Draft class
• Is UDFA Shaun Dolac a future starter?

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/7/10/24465523/rams-nfl-podcasts-bootleg-football

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Is this Rams wide receiver a candidate to breakout in 2025?

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

This Rams WR was named a breakout candidate and it’s not who you might expect.

The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver room will look much different than it has in recent year without Cooper Kupp. Kupp has led the receiver room since he was drafted in 2017 and the Rams replaced him with Davante Adams. Still, the Rams will be looking for a third wide receiver behind Adams and Puka Nacua.

While Tutu Atwell was retained as a free agent, signing a fully guaranteed $10 million contract, there are some question marks over how he’ll produce over 17 games. Jordan Whittingon will also be expected to take a step forward in year two.

However, there will still be opportunities for others behind Atwell and Whittington to make an impact. SB Nation’s JP Acosta suggested that this could be the case. In his NFL players poised to breakout series, Acosta listed seventh round rookie, Konata Mumpfield. Said Acosta,

“I try to stay away from rookies in this exercise, but I’m a big believer in Mumpfield and how his play can elevate the Rams offense. Los Angeles desperately needs speed they can trust in the receiver room, and Mumpfield brings separation skills and burst from the slot in ways that I don’t think WR Tutu Atwell consistently can. Mumpfield is a great complement to WRs Davante Adams and Puka Nacua in where and how he wins, and can help the offense be much more explosive.”

Mumpfield may be getting slightly overlooked as a seventh round rookie, but there is no denying his fit. Coming out of Pitt, Mumpfield moved easily in and out of his breaks, showcasing his ability as a strong route runner. To put it simply, he is the standard, prototypical McVay receiver.

The rookie out of Pitt also made his presence felt during OTAs and will be looking to carry that momentum into training camp. Again, the opportunity will be there for Mumpfield.

Throughout Atwell’s tenure with the Rams, he has consistently been surpassed by others who have been drafted. Some of that has been a lack of opportunity from the coaching staff, but Puka Nacua made an immediate impact as a fifth-round rookie. Ben Skowronek had more yards than Atwell in 2022 and Jordan Whittington outproduced Atwell in games against the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers last season.

Realistically, Mumpfield is a special teams contributor and gets limited snaps on offense. However, if he has a strong training camp, there’s a possibility that he finds himself in the WR3 rotation.

We’ll have to see how the Rams wide receiver rotation shakes out, but Mumpfield isn’t a player that should be slept on heading into the summer.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/7/11/24465965/rams-breakout-candidate-konata-mumpfield

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Is Blake Corum ready to challenge for RB#1?

Will running back Blake Corum breakout in 2025? | Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images

L.A.’s running back depth chart should be hotly contested

With three exciting, young prospects competing for time, the Los Angeles Rams running back room appears well-stocked for 2025. Kyren Williams was recently voted by his peers as the 85th best player in the NFL, while rookie Jarquez Hunter had some of the best big play numbers in all of college football last year. And then there’s Blake Corum.

Corum came into focus last year, drafted within the Top 100 and was worked into the offense slowly, gaining only 119 offensive reps. He was given a big chance in the season final mop-up game versus the Seattle Seahawks, but broke his arm on a kickoff return only 12 plays into the game. His season stats were modest on the ground, 207 yards rushing on 58 carries (3.6 YPC). He snared seven of eight passes for 58 yards and although he didn’t record a touchdown, chipped in 186 yards on kickoff returns.

What Corum brings to the table​

One of the first things that stands out on film is that he’s a natural runner, with a good feeling for the flow of the play. Just a shade under 5’ 8” and 205 lb. at the 2024 NFL Combine, Corum has stated he likes to play around 210 lb.

While not a a scat back, he possesses the ability to make quick darting moves and jump cuts. Very flexible and loose, Corum shows plus lateral agility, burst, balance, and change of direction skills that lends credence to his stellar 3cone (6.82) and shuttle (4.12) numbers at the Combine. His long speed (4.53) and 10 yard split (1.58), although not outstanding, are still on the plus side of NFL parameters. His film tells a different story on both.

Blake Corum (@blake_corum) accelerated to 21.1 mph in only 4 seconds #ReelSpeed

: @B1Gfootball

https://t.co/orrD059ykP pic.twitter.com/qP2vyFYsT6

— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) September 5, 2023​

Prospect Highlight

Michigan RB Blake Corum is a force to be reckoned with. Despite standing at 5'8", 200 lbs, Corum's size doesn't tell the whole story.

His IGA Score™ of 93.0 reflects his explosive athleticism, showcasing exceptional short-area quickness, outstanding… pic.twitter.com/D0dYst8NgY

— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) March 13, 2024​

Nor is Corum a true power back. Not a bruiser play style, although powerfully built and compact. He looks like an old-time fire hydrant, short, squatty and forged out of cast iron. He put up an amazing 27 bench press reps at the Combine. Running with a natural low center of gravity and behind his pads, he presents very little for defenders to latch onto. If would-be tacklers, do not put a body on him and wrap up, his leg churn drives right through arm tackles.

He presses the line of scrimmage and is blessed with exceptional vision to identify holes and read blocks. Once identified, Corum does not tarry, he hit’s the creases. But he’s not a bull in a china shop plowing forward, he shows patience and is nimble waiting for blocks to set up and explodes tightly off them. This shows particularly at the second level, where time and time again, he attains extra yardage by taking the routes given by blockers.

Most all of Corum’s draft previews questioned his receiving ability, mostly because the Michigan didn’t throw to him much. His film shows good hands, looking the ball in and quick transition from run to catch. He handles check downs just fine, appearing to be in position where the quarterback expects him to be and looks the ball in. Room for improvement? Sure, but the simple truth is that the Rams do not do not have their backs running extensive route trees.

Every Blake Corum rookie season rush + target pic.twitter.com/ByGOcVKe7V

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) July 2, 2025​

Snead/McVay are always on the hunt for running backs​

In every draft since their union, Snead/McVay have taken a running back and the results have been middling overall. Kyren Williams has certainly proven a Round 5 bargain, but the others have created more smoke than fire. L.A. did squeeze some mileage out of Cam Akers (Rd2 #52) and Darrell Henderson (Rd3 #70), but not equal to their draft pedigrees.

While it is too early to clearly pass judgement on the past two drafts of Jarquez Hunter (Rd3 #90) and Corum (Rd3 #83), taking running backs relatively early in back-to-back years is not unprecedented. Henderson and Akers were selected 2019 and 20.

The others, Zach Evans (Rd6 #215), Jake Funk (Rd7 #233), and John Kelly (Rd6 #176) were long shots that didn’t pay off. And fullback Sam Rogers (Rd6 #206) became an afterthought when McVay locked in on the three wide receiver formation.

Who’s it going to be, Williams, Corum, or Hunter?​

It’s refreshing to see the Rams running back room flush with potential to start 2025.

When it comes to rating the L.A. running back room, some weight has to be given to how the individual pieces fit into the overall scheme. Over the years, Head coach Sean McVay has morphed the offense from a horizontal outside zone attack to a more between the tackles run game that mixes inside/mid and duo/gap concepts. All three of the front runners fit comfortably into the Rams scheme.

Williams play in the past two seasons clearly labels him as RB#1. To go with that on-field production, the L.A. braintrust likes the proven cut of his jib. Toughness, effort, and tenacity. Where the question comes in is ball security, and that has to be underscored. It’s great to say that it has been emphasized in the off-season to improve, but this is not a new skill for backs, it’s been drilled into them since Day 1.

Hunter adds a dimension that has been missing since Todd Gurley, he projects as a threat to score from outside the red zone. I say projects, because in the NFL, holes are tighter, pursuit angles are better, and everybody is faster. Much more so than even the SEC, college football’s most talented conference. It wouldn’t be surprising, draft pedigree be damned, to see Hunter patiently worked into a role. It seems fair to think his use would mirror Corum’s from last year.

Corum is the wildcard. You can see by his pro film that he is an intuitive runner and very similar in style to frontrunner Williams. I would daresay that’s there’s a small breakaway upside to Corum’s game. Not much, if any, space between the two in the receiving game. Pass blocking is a work in progress for Corum and that can be improved with work on better technique and more reps.

To my eye, Corum looks to be an interchangeable piece with Williams, just lacking the on-field experience. Both are vision-based, tenacious runners that fit precisely into an inside/mid zone run game. I’ll call for a two back rotation and lean towards Williams getting the 60-40 snap split, because of his game experience in the scheme, but if his ball security and concentration drops in the pass game continue on, I would feel safe with Corum as the Rams RB#1.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/7/12/24465337/rams-blake-corum-running-back-depth-chart