Rams PFF grades: Best and worst performers in Week 14 win vs. Cardinals

[methomas50]

offense​

• WR Puka Nacua: 97.4
• QB Matthew Stafford: 93.9
• LT Alaric Jackson: 92.1
• RB Blake Corum: 91.9
• RB Kyren Williams: 83.4
• RT Warren McClendon Jr.: 75.8
• WR Davante Adams: 59.3
• WR Jordan Whittington: 58.7
• WR Konata Mumpfield: 57.9
• LG Steve Avila: 56.7
• C Coleman Shelton: 56.4
• WR Xavier Smith: 52.5

defense​

• LB Nate Landman: 87.4
• OLB Josaiah Stewart: 83.4
• CB Josh Wallace: 80.7
• OLB Desjuan Johnson: 77.8
• DT Kobie Turner: 74.6
• OLB Jared Verse: 71.0
• OLB Byron Young: 69.1
• DL Tyler Davis: 57.9
• DL Braden Fiske: 52.0
• DL Larrell Murchison: 52.0
• CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.: 48.0
• CB Ahkello Witherspoon: 38.6

Rough couple weeks for Forbes, Matthew playing at such a high level as is Puka.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Like most here, I absolutely love the Rams' Organization ... Ownership ... Front Office ... Coaching Staff ... and cherish the Head Coach Sean McVay ...

Like some here, occasionally I question What the Hell the Rams' coaches (and McVay) are thinking with regard to some players ... in the past, Bobby Evans for example ... currently Troy Reeder and ... He's Gone / He's Back ... Derion Kendrick.

Then there's Desjuan Johnson. For the life of me, I can't figure-out why he is not more favorably regarded.

Every time I watch him play, he flashes. I think Johnson should be a game-day-active reserve, with a role. However, yesterday was only the second game he was active. Johnson played most of the fourth quarter; and was credited with three tackles and two QB hits.

Those are good stats! Screw the stats!!!
Just re-watching the game today; and focusing on Johnson in the final quarter ... it seemed obvious to me that he was flashing!

I just can't understand why he is not game-day active over someone like Nick Hampton.

 

[Jacobarch]

Like most here, I absolutely love the Rams' Organization ... Ownership ... Front Office ... Coaching Staff ... and cherish their Head Coach Sean McVay ... View attachment 73642

Like some here, occasionally I question What the Hell the Rams' coaches (and McVay) are thinking with regard to some players ... in the past, Bobby Evans for example ... currently Troy Reeder and ... He's Gone / He's Back ... Derion Kendrick.

Then there's Desjuan Johnson. For the life of me, I can't figure-out why he is not more favorably regarded.

Every time I watch him play, he flashes. I think Johnson should be a game-day-active reserve, with a role. However, yesterday was only the second game he was active. Johnson played most of the 4th quarter; and was credited with three tackles and two QB hits.

Those are good stats! Screw the stats!!!
Just re-watching the game today; and focusing on Johnson in the final quarter ... it seemed obvious to me that he was flashing!

I just can't understand why he is not game-day active over someone like Nick Hampton.
View attachment 73643

Well the rams did activate Johnson over Hampton this last week. So we'll see

 

[Memento]

Well the rams did activate Johnson over Hampton this last week. So we'll see

Hampton wasn't inactive; Ty Hamilton (the rookie DL) was.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Well the rams did activate Johnson over Hampton this last week. So we'll see

Hampton was active and played yesterday.

 

[Allen2McVay]

By-the-way ...

Desjuan Johnson has 2 QB Hits on 38 defensive snaps.

Hampton has Zero QB Hits on 112 snaps.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Hampton and Hamilton have been non factors so far this season.

 

[OldSchool]

By-the-way ...

Desjuan Johnson has 2 QB Hits on 38 defensive snaps.

Hampton has Zero QB Hits on 112 snaps.

Does Hampton and Johnson play the same position? Is QB hits the only stat that Shula will want from these two guys that play different positions?

Just spit balling but Hampton having 194 ST snaps almost 60% of our ST snaps compared to 15 from Johnson may have a little bearing on things.

 

[jrry32]

By-the-way ...

Desjuan Johnson has 2 QB Hits on 38 defensive snaps.

Hampton has Zero QB Hits on 112 snaps.

Two important factors since Josiah Stewart is the #3 EDGE. First, as @OldSchool mentioned, special teams value weighs heavily here. Second, Hampton is better at dropping into coverage. That versatility might be valuable to Shula.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Does Hampton and Johnson play the same position?

Yes. Both have been used at Edge in 2025.

Johnson was a down lineman his first two seasons but was used at Edge much of 2025 preseason.

He was lining-up at Edge yesterday throughout the fourth quarter. It was mostly him and Stewart, with Hampton in reserve; and the starters (Young and Verse) still got a few snaps.

Is QB hits the only stat that Shula will want from these two guys that play different positions?

I'm sure it's not. That's why I wrote ... "Screw the stats"

It's also why I wrote that "Every time I watch Johnson play, he flashes."
By Flashes, I mean he is either making a play or coming close to making a play. As opposed to Hampton, who rarely seems to be around the ball.

If you get a chance to re-watch the game, just watch the 4th quarter and focus on #94.

Just spit balling but Hampton having 194 ST snaps almost 60% of our ST snaps compared to 15 from Johnson may have a little bearing on things.

Three things.
1. Hampton has been active for all 12 games vs. Johnson's 2 games. That would account for the disparity.
2. I don't see Hampton having much of an impact on STs.
3. And, most importantly ... Keep your 'spit' to yourself!

 

[Memphis Ram]

View: https://x.com/NFLPlayerSnaps/status/1998106896323011067

 

[Allen2McVay]

Two important factors since Josiah Stewart is the #3 EDGE. First, as @OldSchool mentioned, special teams value weighs heavily here. Second, Hampton is better at dropping into coverage. That versatility might be valuable to Shula.

I don't know man.

I don't see Nick Hampton as an impact ST-player. Regardless, this isn't a Nick Hampton issue.

It's not necessarily a question of Johnson OR Hampton. Heck, BOTH were active yesterday!
The Rams had FIVE Edge players in uniform yesterday.

As for the pass coverage comment ... the Rams don't drop their Edge players in coverage very often; and, again, I just don't see Hampton making plays ... even in coverage.

 

[Jacobarch]

Hampton was active and played yesterday.

Thought he rode the bench. Hmmm

 

[Jacobarch]

Hampton wasn't inactive; Ty Hamilton (the rookie DL) was.

Ah this.... fuckin a

 

[ReekofRams]

Thought he rode the bench. Hmmm

Maybe they thought he rode it well

 

[OldSchool]

Yes. Both have been used at Edge in 2025.

Johnson was a down lineman his first two seasons but was used at Edge much of 2025 preseason.

He was lining-up at Edge yesterday throughout the fourth quarter. It was mostly him and Stewart, with Hampton in reserve; and the starters (Young and Verse) still got a few snaps.


I'm sure it's not. That's why I wrote ... "Screw the stats"

It's also why I wrote that "Every time I watch Johnson play, he flashes."
By Flashes, I mean he is either making a play or coming close to making a play. As opposed to Hampton, who rarely seems to be around the ball.

If you get a chance to re-watch the game, just watch the 4th quarter and focus on #94.


Three things.
1. Hampton has been active for all 12 games vs. Johnson's 2 games. That would account for the disparity.
2. I don't see Hampton having much of an impact on STs.
3. And, most importantly ... Keep your 'spit' to yourself!

If you insist and yes I watched the game when Johnson was in and it was prevent defense in a game that was over long before the 4th quarter.

I disagree with your ST assessment of Hampton I see him make plays and be around plays constantly on ST. Guys like Hampton being 4th OLB make the team on the ST play. Nobody is expecting him to flash on defense that's exactly why Stewart was drafted. If we're down to expecting Hampton to be a contributor on defense we're in trouble because one of our starters is out.

Johnson may have taken snaps at OLB but he's listed as the 5th DE, somebody who also is expected to contribute on ST. As the 5th DE he's much less likely to be active over Hampton especially with Hamptons ST contributions.

Sorry but when you get down to the guys who were out there on D in the 4th quarter those are the guys who make the team to make ST better and we hope they don't have to give meaningful snaps on D.

Edit with @Memphis Ram posting the snap counts both were active and Johnson had 4 ST snaps to 20 for Hampton. That right there tells you all you need to know. Hampton is not Johnson's competition for snaps it's Murchison and Davis.

 

[jrry32]

I don't know man.

I don't see Nick Hampton as an impact ST-player. Regardless, this isn't a Nick Hampton issue.

It's not necessarily a question of Johnson OR Hampton. Heck, BOTH were active yesterday!
The Rams had FIVE Edge players in uniform yesterday.

As for the pass coverage comment ... the Rams don't drop their Edge players in coverage very often; and, again, I just don't see Hampton making plays ... even in coverage.

Yes, they do.

Los Angeles Rams stars Jared Verse and Byron Young are leading a pass-rushing revival

Much of the Rams' strong start has been due to its elite edge tandem.

www.pff.com

While Verse has posted lofty pressure numbers in part thanks to his sheer volume of reps (fifth-most total pass-rushing snaps in the NFL), Young possesses some additional coverage versatility. Dropping into coverage on 23% of passing snaps, Young is left with a smaller sample of snaps to leave his mark on the quarterback, yet he’s still finding ways to be as successful in this limited role.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Thought he rode the bench. Hmmm

Per Memphis' post above, Hampton was in on 12 defensive snaps and played Special Teams.

Again though, it's not a Johnson OR Hampton issue. I'm just suggesting that Johnson should be active.

 

[Allen2McVay]

If you insist and yes I watched the game when Johnson was in and it was prevent defense in a game that was over long before the 4th quarter.

I disagree with your ST assessment of Hampton I see him make plays and be around plays constantly on ST. Guys like Hampton being 4th OLB make the team on the ST play. Nobody is expecting him to flash on defense that's exactly why Stewart was drafted. If we're down to expecting Hampton to be a contributor on defense we're in trouble because one of our starters is out.

Johnson may have taken snaps at OLB but he's listed as the 5th DE, somebody who also is expected to contribute on ST. As the 5th DE he's much less likely to be active over Hampton especially with Hamptons ST contributions.

Sorry but when you get down to the guys who were out there on D in the 4th quarter those are the guys who make the team to make ST better and we hope they don't have to give meaningful snaps on D.

Edit with @Memphis Ram posting the snap counts both were active and Johnson had 4 ST snaps to 20 for Hampton. That right there tells you all you need to know. Hampton is not Johnson's competition for snaps it's Murchison and Davis.

Again ... this is NOT a Johnson OR Hampton issue.

As I stated, BOTH were active yesterday; and the Rams had 5 Edge players in uniform.

And ... the final Murchison and Davis comment is WAY OFF.
Johnson did not take a single snap yesterday from an interior DL position. ALL 27 were off-the-edge.

Johnson being active instead of Hamilton simply meant that the Rams decided to go with one less DL, and one more Edge in yesterday's game.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Yes, they do.

Los Angeles Rams stars Jared Verse and Byron Young are leading a pass-rushing revival

Much of the Rams' strong start has been due to its elite edge tandem.

www.pff.com

While Verse has posted lofty pressure numbers in part thanks to his sheer volume of reps (fifth-most total pass-rushing snaps in the NFL), Young possesses some additional coverage versatility. Dropping into coverage on 23% of passing snaps, Young is left with a smaller sample of snaps to leave his mark on the quarterback, yet he’s still finding ways to be as successful in this limited role.

Two quick points ...

One Edge (Young) in coverage for less than a quarter of his snaps is completely consistent with my comment ... "the Rams don't drop their Edge players in coverage very often"

The above article is almost two months old and reflects the numbers through 6 games.
Maybe Young has been in coverage even more often since then ... maybe less often.