The Rams are heading into training camp with a roster built to make people look twice, and maybe squint a little harder at the age column. ESPN’s Aaron Schatz recently put Los Angeles dead last in NFL talent under 25, a ranking that fits a team that has never been shy about moving draft picks to land established players.
That approach has left the Rams with just one player drafted by LA in the first round of any draft: rookie Ty Simpson. It also explains why the young players already in the building are about to get a real chance to show what they can do.
Los Angeles spent 10 draft picks on 3 players in 2026, bringing in rookie receiver CJ Daniels, All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett. That kind of roster-building says plenty about the organization’s priorities, but it also puts a premium on the players who are still on rookie deals and trying to carve out roles.
There are 20 rookies on the Rams’ roster right now, and two of them are already 25 years old: offensive tackle Keagen Trost and outside linebacker Wesley Bailey. General manager Les Snead has long valued maturity, and that often shows up in the kinds of prospects he’s willing to take. He was comfortable drafting older players such as edge rusher Byron Young in 2023, even though multiple teams passed on Young because of his age at 25.
That doesn’t mean the Rams are short on young talent. Defensive back Kam Kinchens, receiver Konata Mumpfield, and tight end Terrance Ferguson are all positioned for breakout chances, while rookie pass-catchers CJ Daniels and Max Klare will be part of the camp battle too.
That’s what makes the next several weeks so important. Training camp leads into preseason, and for a lot of these young Rams, this is the stretch that decides whether they become part of the story or fade into the background. The roster may be loaded with headline veterans, but camp is where the younger players get their shot to force their way into the conversation.
In Other News...
Rams Linebacker Battle Suddenly Feels Bigger Than Fans Expected
The Rams have quietly added a few undrafted rookies after the draft, but the linebacker group is the one worth watching most closely. Nikhai Hill-Green has emerged as the most intriguing of the bunch because the team has a clear need for off-ball depth, and his profile fits what Los Angeles wants from the position. He has already packed more bulk onto his frame, and his best college tape came late, when he finished his senior season strong after stops at Michigan, Charlotte, Colorado and Alabama.
Hill-Green is now in the mix with Nate Landman and Omar Speights for a place in the linebacker rotation, and that competition matters because the Rams are sorting out more than just camp bodies. His ability in pass coverage gives him a different kind of value in a room where every role has to be earned, and that makes his path to the 53-man roster one of the more interesting subplots on the roster. Shaun Dolac is also part of the broader depth conversation, which only adds to the pressure on a group that suddenly feels a little more crowded than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Matthew Staffords Camp Plan Just Raised The Stakes Behind Him
The Rams opened training camp with a clear plan to keep Matthew Stafford fresh after his MVP season and record-setting start, a balancing act that has become part health management and part roster building. Sean McVay is spacing Staffords practice work so the veteran quarterback can stay sharp without being overtaxed, a sensible approach for a team that knows how much its offense still depends on him.
At the same time, the setup behind Stafford just got more interesting. Ty Simpson and Stetson Bennett are competing for the backup job, and Simpson is set to get more reps as camp begins, giving the Rams a better look at who can handle the No. 2 role if needed. For a team trying to protect its starter while also developing the next man up, those extra opportunities could end up mattering well beyond August. [Read more 🡒]
Puka Nacua Just Had Rams Fans Doing A Double Take Off Field
Puka Nacua gave Rams fans plenty to look at on Instagram, posting a fresh batch of photos that mixed football and star power. The wide receiver was shown in his Rams uniform, and the carousel also included moments alongside LeBron James and Jets running back Breece Hall, a reminder that Nacuas profile keeps rising well beyond the field in Los Angeles.
The timing only adds another layer to the attention around him, with Nacua entering the final year of his rookie deal and headed toward a bigger financial conversation down the road. Off the field, his name has also been in the news because of public accusations from ex-girlfriend Hallie Aiono, a situation that has drawn plenty of reaction while leaving Nacuas side of the story quiet for now. [Read more 🡒]