Rams show they're a step ahead in scouting with rookie's success
Puka Nacua's success has been written about extensively, and rightfully so. But Kobie Turner, a third-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams, is on pace to make history in Week 18. With 2.5 sacks when the Rams played the New York Giants, Turner, a defensive tackle, tied Aaron Donald's rookie record for sacks record with the […]
Puka Nacua's success has been written about extensively, and rightfully so.
But Kobie Turner, a third-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams, is on pace to make history in Week 18.
With 2.5 sacks when the Rams played the New York Giants, Turner, a defensive tackle, tied Aaron Donald's rookie record for sacks record with the franchise.
The extra week of football will help Turner attempt to break the record.
All the rookie needs is a half-sack, and his name stands alone in franchise history. The Rams aren't complaining.
Turner's success also highlights one key aspect about the Rams: They are a step ahead regarding talent evaluation in the draft.
After the Rams gave up a wealth of draft picks to accumulate the talent needed to win the Super Bowl, it was believed the team would bottom out for the foreseeable future.
The 2022 season went according to that plan. However, with Matthew Stafford's resurgence and the play of the younger Rams players on the roster, Sean McVay has gotten the most out of a team that wasn't supposed to be this good.
A large portion of that success is because the Rams could realistically have the Offensive Rookie of the Year and the Defensive Rookie of the Year on the same roster.
What team can say they have had a draft that was successful in one offseason? The list is short:
- 1967 Detroit Lions
- 2017 New Orleans Saints
- 2022 New York Jets
Along with making the NFL Playoff when several thought the 2023 season would be a wash, the Rams now have two of the best rookies in the NFL on their roster. As long as Stafford stays consistent, Los Angeles will be just fine moving forward.
Puka Nacua can rewrite history in a big way in Week 18
With an NFL Playoff berth in hand, the Los Angeles Rams don’t have much to play for heading into Week 18.
