Two Los Angeles Rams make PFF’s Top 25 rookie list through preseason Week 3

[Riverumbbq]

With one preseason game left to play, which rookies have stood out for the Los Angeles Rams?

By Brandon Bate@NoPlanB_ Aug 27, 2019, 9:48am CDT

Pro Football Focus

With only one preseason game remaining, NFL teams will soon face the tough decision of who stays and who goes as they whittle their rosters down to 53. If you’re a fan of the Los Angeles Rams, you’ve gotten a good long look at the rookies and undrafted free agents, as head coach Sean McVay has once again opted to protect his starters.

Several players have stepped up and made their case for surviving the cut. Over at Pro Football Focus they’ve identified the Top 25 rookies through preseason Week 3 and they’ve pegged a pair of Rams players as standouts.

25. DI GREG GAINES, LOS ANGELES RAMS – 79.5
While playing for the Washington Huskies in college, Greg Gaines was one of the top run defenders in all of college football. And through three weeks of preseason play, it’s easy to see that his stout play against the run is translating well to the NFL. Gaines has obliterated his opponent in run defense thus far, and when lined up at nose tackle, he has recorded an 82.1 run-defense grade and has also yet to lose to his blocker at that alignment.

Gaines, a 4th round selection, is vying for the starting spot at nose tackle; a vacancy left by Ndamukong Suh this offseason. The Rams oftentimes struggled against the run last year - allowing 122 yards per game on the ground (23rd) - so early returns from the young run-stuffer are promising.

9. WR NSIMBA WEBSTER, LOS ANGELES RAMS – 86.5
With Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, the Los Angeles Rams already have a top-three receiving unit, so the preseason success of undrafted free agent Nsimba Webster is just an added bonus. Webster has hauled in every single one of his eleven targets so far and has been incredibly productive on a per route basis, with an average of 2.73 yards per route run. His average depth of target thus far has been 5.2 yards downfield, and with three explosive plays and three broken tackles, Webster is showing to be a solid after-the-catch receiver at the NFL level.

It’s been hard not to be impressed with Webster (UDFA), who has consistently shown up each week this preseason. The issue, however, is the Rams are so deep at the position. 3k released his updated 53-man predictions this morning and, despite the strong showing, Webster still finds himself on the outside looking in.

Two Los Angeles Rams make PFF’s Top 25 rookie list through preseason Week 3

With one preseason game left to play, which rookies have stood out for the Los Angeles Rams?

www.turfshowtimes.com

 

[I like Rams]

Although i doubt Webster makes it, i dont doubt that McVay has hit up the Giants or other teams in need of a WR and praised his talents.

 

[Jacobarch]

I think Webster at least makes it to the PS if nothing else. Good to see Gaines getting some love.

 

[Farr Be It]

Wow. No Rapp? I saw the title and assumed he was one.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I think Webster at least makes it to the PS if nothing else. Good to see Gaines getting some love.

I doubt he makes it thru waivers to get on our practice squad.

 

[Psycho_X]

Wow. No Rapp? I saw the title and assumed he was one.

Rapp had a couple of missed tackles a few weeks ago if I remember correctly but nothing to worry about as he was still around the ball constantly but probably effected his “rating”.

Great to see about Gaines. Haven’t focused on him much but that’s exactly what we need from him so I’m happy. And Webster id try and keep on the team as a 6th wr. Let him be the return man. He’s impressed enough that I want to keep him if possible.

 

[ramfan46]

There’s no way I’d keep JoJo over Webster.

 

[Farr Be It]

There’s no way I’d keep JoJo over Webster.

I will be disappointed if they keep JoJo and Webster is left out. Maybe practice squad, but there he would be vulnerable.

 

[OC_Ram]

Can this kid catch a punt? We know the other has fumblitis

 

[oldnotdead]

There is no way Jojo is kept. Jojo's muffed punt muffed his chances of making this team. It showed he can't be trusted.

I'm glad Nsimba gets some props. I think he makes the team taking Jojo's roster spot. Even if Scott is returning kicks as well, a team needs more than one return specialist. I was serious when I said I think they might keep 7 WR's. They have been lucky regarding injuries but losing Kupp should have been a wake up call. If your base offensive set is 11 personnel then you need at least 6 WR's. Also, if Hodge, Webster or Thomas are released you can expect AZ and SF to sign them. Why risk strengthening the opposition? If they want to sign a former Ram WR let them sign Jojo.

Rapp is going to be solid this year as is Gaines.

David Long is a work in progress but he's not far off. Once the game starts to slow down for him a bit, where he doesn't have to think his way thru things he will be fine. He's a bit slow to react because he's thinking about what he's doing, instead of simply reacting to what he sees. That's typical of rookies and especially at CB. CB technique is different in the NFL because the WR's are so much better and so much faster. There is no room for error.

I really like this draft class as a whole. They had 8 picks and all of them probably are going to make this team. Do you know how rare that is? The only one who might not is Dakota Allen but IMO he's at least going to make the PS. All are going to be starters within a year or two or key rotational players. Only Scott and Allen don't fit that definition but look to be ST's contributors, especially Scott.

 

[InnovatedMind]

There is no way Jojo is kept. Jojo's muffed punt muffed his chances of making this team. It showed he can't be trusted.

I'm glad Nsimba gets some props. I think he makes the team taking Jojo's roster spot. Even if Scott is returning kicks as well, a team needs more than one return specialist. I was serious when I said I think they might keep 7 WR's. They have been lucky regarding injuries but losing Kupp should have been a wake up call. If your base offensive set is 11 personnel then you need at least 6 WR's. Also, if Hodge, Webster or Thomas are released you can expect AZ and SF to sign them. Why risk strengthening the opposition? If they want to sign a former Ram WR let them sign Jojo.

Rapp is going to be solid this year as is Gaines.

David Long is a work in progress but he's not far off. Once the game starts to slow down for him a bit, where he doesn't have to think his way thru things he will be fine. He's a bit slow to react because he's thinking about what he's doing, instead of simply reacting to what he sees. That's typical of rookies and especially at CB. CB technique is different in the NFL because the WR's are so much better and so much faster. There is no room for error.

I really like this draft class as a whole. They had 8 picks and all of them probably are going to make this team. Do you know how rare that is? The only one who might not is Dakota Allen but IMO he's at least going to make the PS. All are going to be starters within a year or two or key rotational players. Only Scott and Allen don't fit that definition but look to be ST's contributors, especially Scott.

Well said...

But Dakota Allen is DEFINITELY making this team. He's elite.

 

[badnews]

Our biggest concern this offseason is worrying about who the team will not be able to keep on the roster.
Think about that.

There are other questions, concerns, etc but this cutdown has our attention like never before. Good times.