The Rams have plenty of buzz heading into 2026, but the biggest leap might come from inside the roster rather than from any headline-grabbing move. If Los Angeles is going to turn all that optimism into real success, it won’t be enough for the stars to shine. Younger players have to take the next step, too.
That’s why the breakout conversation around this team is so crowded. There isn’t just one obvious name pushing forward. There are several Rams who have a legitimate case, and the debate over which one is most likely to pop has already gotten lively.
Kam Kinchens sits near the top of that list. In his first two NFL seasons, he’s been behind veterans Quentin Lake and Kam Curl, but Lake’s expanded role has opened the door for Kinchens to take over more of the work on the back end of the secondary. He brings a dependable tackling presence, a nose for the football, and a fearless edge that has made him easier to notice.
Blake Corum is another obvious candidate. He already broke out in 2025, when he more than tripled his production, and there’s little reason to think the climb stops there. Corum looked like a back who grows into more responsibility, not one who gets worn down by it.
Then there’s Josaiah Stewart, whose name deserves more oxygen than it’s getting. With so much attention on the Rams’ pass rush and the talk centered around Myles Garrett and Byron Young, Stewart has been a little buried.
That shouldn’t last long. He impressed in a limited rookie role and has carried that momentum into training camp, where he has flashed enough to suggest his snaps are about to rise in a big way.
Konata Mumpfield also has a path to a much larger role. After a brief cameo as a rookie, he enters this season with a chance to become a real part of the offense.
He caught only 10 of 23 targets last year, but the Rams still believe in what he can become. With more steady work alongside Matthew Stafford and a stronger grasp of the system, Mumpfield looks set up for better efficiency and more production.
Terrance Ferguson has turned heads in camp as well. The Rams view him as a tight end who can bring the kind of physicality once associated with former receiver Cooper Kupp, and that expectation comes with pressure. His rookie year fell short of what he wanted, but the signs this summer point to a much better second season, maybe even one that clears the highest hopes around him.
And then there’s the wild card of all wild cards: Aaron Donald’s next chapter. If he does come back from unretirement, he would immediately matter on the defensive front.
He also has the kind of presence that lifts the group around him. If he were to match his 2023 line of eight sacks, 53 tackles and 16 tackles for loss, he’d be right in the breakout mix himself.
For a team built to win now, the future can get overlooked fast. But this group of young Rams suggests there’s real depth behind the present-day excitement. Los Angeles may be chasing immediate results, yet the next wave of contributors looks ready to make some noise, too.
In Other News...
Rams Still Waiting On Two Decisions That Could Shake Up The Offense
The NFL has already moved forward with discipline in other cases, but the Rams are still waiting on rulings that could affect two important offensive pieces before the season gets going. Los Angeles is monitoring the situations involving Puka Nacua and Alaric Jackson, both of whom remain in limbo as the league continues sorting through player discipline across the league.
Jacksons legal matter has already gone through pre-filing diversion after his arrest on felony domestic battery charges, which could put him on the leagues radar for a suspension. Nacuas civil assault and battery case is still unresolved, with no court date set, leaving the Rams without clarity on either player as they try to plan for the offense and the possibility that the league could act at any time. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Give Late Linebacker Addition A Short Window To Impress
The Rams added linebacker Monty Rice late in camp, giving themselves another body at a position where preseason depth can disappear quickly. Rice arrives with NFL experience from time with the Titans, Patriots and Lions, and the plan is straightforward enough: see what he can do in practices and use him in a limited role when the exhibition games begin.
For Rice, though, the opportunity comes with a very short runway. Los Angeles is looking for depth, not a long-term fix, and he will have to make a quick impression just to stay in the conversation for the roster or practice squad. The Rams have time to evaluate him, but not much patience to spare if the performances do not stand out. [Read more 🡒]