The Los Angeles Rams don’t have many mysteries on offense heading into the season. They’re bringing back every starter from last year’s top-scoring unit, and the bigger question is what happens behind those headline names when the starters need a breather.
That’s where the young depth comes in, and according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the early signs at Rams training camp are encouraging. Breer pointed to a second wave of skill players that could give the offense a different look than it had a year ago.
“The second layer of skill talent is where the offense could look a little different than it did a year ago. Terrance Ferguson has had a fantastic offseason.
"He is now proving to be a guy who can play all over the formation and looks like he could be a force after the catch, showing why the Rams coveted him in the 2025 draft and now believe he could grow into one of the NFL’s best tight ends.
"Blake Corum has also worked to earn carries alongside Williams, seeing the game faster and looking like a guy who could add a big-play element to the Rams’ physical run game."
That’s a promising update for a team leaning on rotational pieces to keep the offense humming. Corum is there to support Kyren Williams at running back, while Ferguson is the next man up at tight end behind veterans Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee. Even receivers lower on the depth chart, including Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield, have work to do to prove they belong.
The Rams’ method with young players is part of what makes this worth watching. They tend to keep rookies and other young prospects on the sidelines until those players show they fully understand what they’re doing in practice. Only then do they get real chances on the field.
That’s not how every team operates, but it gives prospects time to sharpen both physically and mentally before the pressure ramps up. It also keeps the competition level high. Players know the chance is coming, but they have to earn it.
Ferguson is a good example of that process. His rookie production was modest, but he enters his second season looking much more polished. The same kind of optimism applies to Whittington, Mumpfield and Xavier Smith.
In a sport decided by inches, even a small upgrade in the supporting cast can matter. If the Rams’ younger backups keep trending up, that depth could end up shaping the season in a real way.
In Other News...
Sean McDermott Suddenly Feels Like A Rams Name To Watch
A familiar coaching name popped up around Rams training camp recently, and it is one that naturally invites a little more attention than a routine visit. Former Bills head coach Sean McDermott was on hand, a reminder that Sean McVay has never been shy about surrounding himself with accomplished voices, especially when the focus turns to the defensive side of the ball.
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
Matthew Stafford was back on the field for the second day of Rams training camp, a welcome sight after he sat out the opener as the team works through a modified schedule for its veteran quarterback. The early approach is all about keeping him on track to be at his best when Week 1 arrives, and Stafford sounded comfortable with where the group stands heading into the season.
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 🡒]