The good work of Los Angeles Rams GM Les Snead is vindicated here with a list every draft pick wants to be on
While the Los Angeles Rams may be led by long-time veterans such as quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Davante Adams, they also have a good core of young players. It's tough to stay competitive for multiple years in a row if you're not hitting on draft picks. Building through the draft not only gives teams […]
While the Los Angeles Rams may be led by long-time veterans such as quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Davante Adams, they also have a good core of young players.
It's tough to stay competitive for multiple years in a row if you're not hitting on draft picks. Building through the draft not only gives teams affordable control of their players on rookie contracts, but they can also mold them to fit their strengths on the field and culture in the locker room.
Pro Football Focus released its annual list of ranking the top 25 players under the age of 25, and the Rams were one of just four teams with more than one player featured. Let's take a look at the two players who Los Angeles can built its roster around heading into the future.
No. 2: WR Puka Nacua
From PFF: "Nacua burst onto the scene in 2023 as a fifth-round rookie, making an immediate impact as a high-end target earner and elite receiving weapon for the Rams. He has yet to look back. Through two seasons, Nacua has delivered a 92.4 PFF receiving grade and 2.92 yards per route run — both of which lead all qualifying players for this list and rank second among all players overall during that span. Even though he missed time with injuries in 2024, Nacua made the most of his opportunities, leading the position in PFF receiving grade (92.6) and yards per route run (3.23) as 2024’s most efficient receiver."
Nacua also made this list in 2024, but came in at No. 12. Shooting up 10 spots despite missing time with injuries says a lot about his game. Part of the reason the Rams were comfortable trading Cooper Kupp was because they knew they have something special in Nacua. Still just 23-years-old, Nacua's best years may still be ahead of him.
No. 6: OLB Jared Verse
From PFF: "The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year finished the 2024 season with 89 quarterback pressures — the most in the league — and managed a top-10 PFF grade in all three major defensive categories for the position (overall, run defense and pass rush). Verse also generated the fifth-most PFF WAR (0.42) for his position, putting him in elite company alongside Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt. He didn’t finish as a league leader in the sack column, but that shouldn’t discount just how dominant he was on a play-to-play basis, evidenced by his top-10 PFF pass-rush grade and sixth-best win rate (19.7%) among defensive linemen."
Considering Verse is nowhere near a finished product, what he was able to accomplish as a rookie last season is incredible. The Rams couldn't have asked for a better scenario after losing the legendary Aaron Donald to retirement. Not only could Verse could have similar success in Year 2, but he will likely be even better.
NFL analyst ranks a pair of Los Angeles Rams players as a top 5 best duo in the league at their position group
It’s going to be fun to see them on the field together.
