The Rams are about to get their first real look at themselves.
After a week of camp work built around installation, timing and fundamentals, Los Angeles is moving into its second block of practices and putting on pads for the first time on Friday. That’s the point where the evaluation gets sharper and the contact starts telling the truth. As Sean McVay put it on Wednesday, “It'll be good to be able to put the pads on so no more pajama parties."
That shift matters most in the trenches. Through the opening stretch of camp, the Rams have stayed relatively healthy up front, and all five projected Week 1 offensive line starters should be available Friday.
That gives the staff a chance to see how the tackles handle a better pass rush and how the group functions when things get physical. Warren McClendon’s progress from last season and Alaric Jackson’s status while managing his blood clot condition will both be worth watching.
It also opens the door for depth evaluations, with rookie third-round pick Keagen Trost getting a look, especially with Justin Dedich out injured.
The first padded practice should also say a lot about the defense’s new edge presence. The Rams made one of the offseason’s biggest moves by trading for Myles Garrett, and Friday should provide a clearer picture of what that addition looks like in live work.
Garrett and Byron Young are the names to watch here. Garrett’s quick pressure ability paired with Young’s speed could be a nasty combination, and the question may be whether the offense can get much going against it.
How defensive coordinator Chris Shula chooses to deploy that pass rush will be part of the intrigue, too.
On offense, the quarterback rotation changes the picture. Matthew Stafford likely won’t be on the field Friday because his practice plan has him working on days two and four of each block.
That leaves Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson to handle the reps. For Simpson, the focus is simple: keep building.
Last week, his attention was on the pre-snap operation, and now those responsibilities get more real with live defenders in pads. The Rams will learn plenty about whether he can get the offense set, handle pressure and deliver the ball on time.
There’s also a different kind of test coming for CJ Daniels. The rookie wideout stood out early in camp and built a strong connection with Bennett, but padded practices change the job description.
He’ll have to hold up as a run-blocker, win through tighter coverage and show he can work the middle of the field with more physicality around him. Daniels has the size for that kind of work, so this is less about whether he belongs and more about how he handles the next level of contact.
The run game should come into focus, too. Without pads, it’s hard to get a true read on what a rushing attack can do.
Tackles can’t finish blocks the same way, defenders can’t tackle, and the whole thing stays a little muted. That changes Friday.
Kyren Williams and Blake Corum gave the Rams plenty last season, and full-contact work should help clarify how the team wants to use both backs. Corum, who has been putting in a lot of work this offseason, has a chance to stand out.
The secondary gets a more honest test as well. In shorts, defensive backs are naturally a little less aggressive.
With pads on, the Rams should be able to play more physically at the point of attack, especially with the addition of Jaylen Watson. That should matter for Watson, and it should also give the staff a better look at what McDuffie brings as he moves around the secondary because of his versatility.
Last season, the cornerback group was a weak spot. Friday offers the first real chance to see how much the new pieces change that.
Of course, the first padded practice brings risk with it. Contact can lead to players getting nicked up, especially in the trenches, and the Rams know that what they’ve done so far has mostly been basic installation work.
They haven’t been tested physically yet. That part starts now, and while some bumps are part of the process, Los Angeles will be trying to avoid anything that could keep a player out long term.
If the Rams are going to get to the Super Bowl, staying healthy is part of the job.
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McDermott's presence comes at a time when the Rams have added to that side of the roster and are trying to keep the staff picture steady as the season approaches. There is no official word on any role for McDermott, but the timing has only added to the intrigue around Chris Shula's place in the bigger coaching picture and whether the Rams could be looking at another noteworthy addition before long. [Read more 🡒]
Matthew Stafford Just Gave Rams Fans The Camp Sign They Needed
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Sean McVay came away encouraged by what he saw once Stafford returned, with the offense already showing some of the early camp rhythm the Rams want to build on. With receivers and tight ends drawing positive notices around camp, Staffords sharp start offers a reassuring sign that the passing game can get moving quickly once the pads and pace keep ramping up. [Read more 🡒]
Myles Garretts Rams Absence Has Fans Watching One Bigger Date
Myles Garretts recent absence from practice has been easy enough for the Rams to explain away so far. Sean McVay has pushed the concern level down, saying the team is simply being cautious with Garrett while managing his workload, and the defender is being handled with an eye toward keeping him fresh rather than chasing anything more serious.
Still, the longer a player sits out, the more attention the next checkpoint draws. Garrett is slated to get a planned day off before the Rams move into their next practice block, and that looming return is the date fans have started circling as the one that matters more than the day-to-day noise around camp. [Read more 🡒]