The Rams’ rookie class may not have come in with a ton of flash, but training camp is about to give it a real spotlight anyway. Los Angeles has a handful of newcomers who are being viewed more as long-term bets than immediate fixes, yet there’s still plenty to sort out once the pads come on.
At the top of the intrigue list is Ty Simpson. The Rams took him 13th overall as the eventual successor to Matthew Stafford, and he’ll spend camp battling Stetson Bennett for the backup job.
Neither quarterback pulled away during OTAs, and Simpson still needs to get his rookie deal done before camp opens. Even so, he’s the rookie everyone will be watching most closely.
The other name drawing real buzz is CJ Daniels. A sixth-round pick, Daniels is in the mix for the third receiver role behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
He may not win that job right away, but there’s a path for him to carve out snaps from Konata Mumpfield. Daniels brings suddenness as a route-runner, plus a feisty edge as a blocker, and he looks more physical at the point of attack than Mumpfield.
Keagen Trost could also become more important than expected. His role depends in part on what happens with Alaric Jackson and whether the league takes action after Jackson’s arrest.
Trost was a third-round pick and gives the Rams useful depth as a sixth man up front. He played tackle at Mizzou, but he has the flexibility to move inside if needed, which could make him a valuable piece on the offensive line this season.
Then there’s Klare, who enters camp as the fifth tight end on the depth chart. Even as a second-round pick, the expectation is that his rookie year will function as a redshirt season.
The Rams already have Terrance Ferguson, Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, and Davis Allen ahead of him. If things go especially well, Klare could work his way into the TE3 rotation.
Keenan rounds out the group, but that doesn’t mean he’s being overlooked for the future. He’ll spend this season learning behind Poona Ford, and he has the traits of a quality nose tackle. He may not make much noise as a rookie, but the Rams believe he can grow into a major part of their run defense down the line.
In Other News...
Rams Linked To Proven WR Upgrade As One Depth Concern Lingers
The Rams have been mentioned as a logical place to look if they want to add another layer to their receiver room, with Sean McVays offense seen as the kind of setup that could make a versatile playmaker fit quickly. The appeal is straightforward: Los Angeles already has star power at the top of the depth chart, but there is still a need for more reliable options behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield are the names currently waiting in line for bigger roles, and that is where the conversation starts to feel real for the Rams. A proven veteran with a track record of impact would change the shape of the room in a hurry, even if no move has been made and no agreement is in place yet. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Suddenly Have A New Twist In Their Stafford Insurance Debate
The Rams have spent the offseason trying to sort out life behind Matthew Stafford, and the picture still looks unsettled. They drafted Ty Simpson and have Stetson Bennett in the mix for the backup job, but the conversation around that spot has only grown more complicated as the team looks for a quarterback who can provide real insurance if Stafford misses time.
Jimmy Garoppolo is now part of that discussion, which gives Los Angeles a familiar veteran name to weigh against its younger options. For a team trying to balance upside, development and reliability, the backup quarterback spot has become one of the more interesting decisions left on the board, even if the final answer is still not clear. [Read more 🡒]
George Kittle Just Put Rams Fans On Alert For Week 1
George Kittles latest update is the kind of thing Rams fans will notice immediately, even if it came in a podcast conversation rather than a formal injury report. The 49ers tight end is working his way back from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered in January, and he has been ahead of schedule in rehab, which has put his availability for the season opener back into the conversation.
For Los Angeles, the bigger issue is not just whether Kittle can get on the field in Week 1, but how much San Francisco is willing to ask of him that early in the year. Kittle has made it clear he is not looking to force anything if it would create a long-term problem, and with the opener set for Australia, the Rams will be watching closely to see how aggressive the 49ers decide to be with one of their most important weapons. [Read more 🡒]