Truly impactful draft class

[LA_Rams_#29]

 

[JimY53]

I'm sure it has been mentioned, Snead for Exec of the Year?

Rams who should be considered (and I don't think any will win)
1. Exec of the Year
2. Coach of Year
3. OROY
4. DROY
5. Most Improved Player - Williams (A PFWA Award)

 

[JimY53]

Top rookie classes for Rams -- includes any FA signings
My opinion
1. 2023
2. 1983

3. 1971

4. 1976
5. 2012
6. 1980
7. 1994

 

[OntarioRam]

Top rookie classes for Rams -- includes any FA signings
My opinion
1. 2023
2. 1983

3. 1971

4. 1976
5. 2012
6. 1980
7. 1994

2017 was also quite good, especially considering that we had no 1st round pick. Lots of quality NFLers from that draft class, and one superstar, though as rookies their impacts were nothing like this class. Kupp, Gerald Everett, Josh Reynolds, John Johnson, Ebukam. Even Tanzel Smart carved out a career.

 

[JimY53]

2017 was also quite good, especially considering that we had no 1st round pick. Lots of quality NFLers from that draft class, and one superstar, though as rookies their impacts were nothing like this class. Kupp, Gerald Everett, Josh Reynolds, John Johnson, Ebukam. Even Tanzel Smart carved out a career.

Good call. I was going by rookie-year only, but it's my fault ... I didn't explain that ... that said-- yeah, certainly good enough to be in top 10 for sure.

 

[Merlin]

Revisiting a memorable 2023 Los Angeles Rams rookie class

The Los Angeles Rams are playoff bound, in large part because of an impactful rookie class — headlined by fifth-round wide receiver Puka Nacua.

www.pff.com

Revisiting a memorable 2023 Los Angeles Rams rookie class​

2T5RCJJ Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner (91) during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
By Thomas Valentine
Jan 5, 2024
• WR Puka Nacua has done it all: The fifth-round pick, if he plays in Week 18, is on track to break multiple rookie receiving records.
• Kobie Turner is a pleasant surprise on the inside: His 45 pressures are the 17th most at the position, and his 80.2 pass-rush grade ranks 11th.
• Looking for more grades and data? To access PFF Premium Stats, subscribe now!
Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

---

The Los Angeles Rams exceeded all expectations in 2023. After a poor 2022 season that ended with a 5-12 record — the franchise's worst since 2016 — the need for an overhaul was clear. However, without a first-round pick and limited cap space, adding to an already depleted roster was a challenge.
With one week left of the regular season, the Rams have secured a postseason berth and gotten major contributions from an excellent rookie class. The highlight of the group is wide receiver Puka Nacua, but the majority of the class has impressed.

---

ROUND 2 (NO. 36 OVERALL): G STEVE AVILA, TCU​

Avila stepped into the chaos that was the Rams' offensive line with the assurance that he’d be a day-one starter due to a lack of talent around him. That projection materialized, and the former second-round pick has been a solid addition at left guard. He has played 100% of the team’s offensive snaps, and earned a 59.9 overall grade in 2023 — the seventh-highest mark among all rookie offensive linemen this season.
Of the 71 guards who have played more than 400 snaps this season, he ranks 26th in pressure rate allowed (5.1%). And since Week 9, Aliva has a 79.4 pass-blocking grade, ranking sixth at the position.

---

ROUND 3 (NO. 77 OVERALL): EDGE BYRON YOUNG, TENNESSEE​

The Rams sacked opposing quarterbacks just 38 times last season and pressured them at the third-lowest rate in the NFL. It was clear they needed help on the edge, and there was hope that Byron Young could make an impact in his rookie season. The Rams nailed it again. Young has 46 pressures on the season, the fourth most among all rookies and the 38th most among all edge rushers — in the same ballpark as DeMarcus Lawrence, Cameron Jordan and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Young’s reach and impact extend beyond the world of pass rushing, though. His 18 stops as a run defender are the 22nd most among all edge defenders this season, and he boasts a 68.9 run-defense grade since Week 13.

---

ROUND 3 (NO. 89 OVERALL): DI KOBIE TURNER, WAKE FOREST​

Within 13 picks, the Rams accomplished the almost impossible task of revamping their defensive line. Young provides the edge threat, and Turner has quietly been just as effective, if not more, on the inside. Turner’s 84.6 overall grade ranks eighth among interior defenders this season and 22nd among all defensive linemen.
Turner has been one of the most effective interior pass rushers in the NFL this season, too. His 45 pressures are the 17th most at the position, and his 80.2 pass-rush grade ranks 11th. Turner has more pressures and sacks than Eagles rookie first-round pick Jalen Carter, and since Week 12, Turner has the second-most pressures among all NFL interior defenders — including a 10-pressure outing against the Giants in Week 17.

---

ROUND 4 (NO. 128 OVERALL): QB STETSON BENNETT, GEORGIA​

Bennett hasn’t seen any action despite being a surprise selection in the fourth round. He’s been on the reserve/non-football illness list since the start of the season.

---

ROUND 5 (NO. 161 OVERALL): LB NICK HAMPTON, APPALACHIAN STATE​

Hampton spent the first month of the season primarily playing special teams but became a rotational defensive lineman for a stretch in the second half of the campaign, earning a solid 70.0 overall grade through six games. However, he has played only 52 snaps on defense this year.

---

ROUND 5 (NO. 174 OVERALL): OT WARREN MCCLENDON, GEORGIA​

McClendon was the second of the Rams’ four fifth-round picks in 2023, and his playing time has been limited to just six snaps, all coming in Week 5. He could carve out a bigger role next season.

---

ROUND 5 (NO. 175 OVERALL): TE DAVIS ALLEN, CLEMSON​

Up until Week 14, Allen had played more than 10 snaps in a game just once for the Rams. But he flashed some potential with an impressive performance against the Baltimore Ravens, catching four of his five targets for 50 yards and a touchdown. He earned a 72.6 receiving grade for that effort while deputizing for the injured Tyler Higbee. Since Higbee’s return, Allen has remained in a backup role.

---

ROUND 5 (NO. 177 OVERALL): WR PUKA NACUA, BYU​

Wow. Puka Nacua has done nothing but set records in his rookie season. The fifth-round pick from BYU has 101 receptions for 1,445 receiving yards through 16 games. He needs four catches in Week 18 to break Jaylen Waddle’s record for most receptions in a rookie season, and 29 yards to break the single-season receiving yards record for a rookie set by Bill Groman in 1960.
Nacua has been a revelation in the Rams' offense. His 88.2 grade ranks 10th among all receivers this season, and he places fourth in receiving yards. Nacua also has seven games with at least an 80.0 PFF grade.

---

ROUND 6 (NO. 182 OVERALL): CB TRE TOMLINSON, TCU​

Tomlison’s impact has been understandably muted in his rookie season. The sixth-round pick has been restricted to just 37 snaps.

---

ROUND 6 (NO. 189 OVERALL): EDGE OCHAUN MATHIS, NEBRASKA​

Mathis is another rookie who hasn’t seen much playing time for the Rams this season. The edge defender out of Nebraska played a season-high 22 snaps in a Week 12 blowout win over the Cardinals.

---

ROUND 6 (NO. 215 OVERALL): RB ZACH EVANS, OLE MISS​

Considering where we thought the Rams' backfield stood before the season, it’s disappointing that Zach Evans couldn’t carve out a role in the offense in 2023. Evans has just eight carries for 16 yards on the season and has watched from the sideline as Kyren Williams has turned into the team's workhorse at running back.

---

ROUND 7 (NO. 223 OVERALL): P ETHAN EVANS, WINGATE​

Evans has impressed on special teams for the Rams. The former Wingate punter has averaged 49.3 yards per punt, the ninth-best mark among all punters, and his 73.0 punting grade ranks 12th.

---

ROUND 7 (NO. 234 OVERALL): S JASON TAYLOR II, OKLAHOMA STATE​

Taylor has suited up just once for the Rams this season, back in Week 12 in a blowout win over the Cardinals. He registered a 43.4 overall grade.

---

ROUND 7 (NO. 259 OVERALL): DI DESJUAN JOHNSON, TOLEDO​

The 2023 Mr. Irrelevant, Desjuan Johnson hasn’t made the same impact as Brock Purdy, the previous year’s Mr. Irrelevant, but he has featured as a rotational defender for the Rams this season. Johnson has recorded an impressive 67.8 run-defense grade — albeit on only 30 snaps against the run.

 

[Kupped]

The class is already a true home run..

And there is still a chance its value will grow.

 

[AvengerRam]

Pretty impressive that @Kupped called this one in mid-September. This thread has aged like a fine angus filet mignon.

 

[JimY53]

CBS Sports All-Rookie Team​

2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league's best first-year players

The Lions are well-represented on both sides of the ball

www.cbssports.com

Quarterback: C.J. Stroud​

Stroud put together one of the best rookie quarterback seasons in league history, up there with players like Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, Robert Griffin III and more. He has so far completed 63.2% of his passes at an average of 8.1 yards per attempt, with 3,844 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He took over a Texans team that was one of the worst in the NFL and has led it to the brink of the playoffs despite working behind a subpar and injured offensive line, and losing one of his top receivers earlier in the season.

Running back: Jahmyr Gibbs​

Gibbs got the nod here over Bijan Robinson and De'Von Achane. His 1,231 total yards nearly equal Robinson's and his 10 touchdowns exceed Robinson's total. The Lions first-rounder was also more efficient than Robinson on a per-touch basis. Achane was the most explosive player in the league at his position, but didn't play enough games or get enough touches to make as much of an impact as did Gibbs.

Wide receiver: Puka Nacua, Jordan Addison, Zay Flowers​

Nacua came out of the fifth round and is verging on setting multiple rookie records, racking up 101 catches for 1,445 yards, heading into Week 18 for the Rams. Addison took over as the Vikings' No. 1 wideout for part of the season while Justin Jefferson was out, and has so far turned his 100 targets into 66 grabs for 854 yards and nine scores. Flowers has been Lamar Jackson's top receiver all season, and has alternately been an explosive deep threat and a short-area YAC machine, doing whatever the Ravens have needed on his way to a 77-858-5 receiving line.

Tight End: Sam LaPorta​

LaPorta is a few receptions away from setting the record for a rookie tight end, and he is the only tight end in league history to surpass 80 catches, 800 yards and eight touchdowns. He's been a huge part of the Lions' explosive offense all year long.

Offensive tackle: Darnell Wright, Paris Johnson​

Wright and Johnson got the nod here after starting all 16 games so far for the Bears and Cardinals, respectively. They struggled a bit in pass protection and with penalties at times, but turning into functional starters as rookies is quite the accomplishment.

Guard: O'Cyrus Torrence, Steve Avila​

Avila has probably been the best of the rookie offensive linemen in pass protection, allowing only two sacks and seven hits all year for the playoff-bound Rams, per Pro Football Focus. Torrence has been a major contributor to Buffalo's rebuilt offensive line, which has been especially effective over the second half of the season as the Bills have surged in the playoff picture.

Center: Joe Tippmann​

Tippmann, a second-rounder for the Jets, was one of only three rookie centers to see significant snaps this year. Jarrett Patterson played in only seven games for the Texans, and Tippmann was much more effective run- and pass-blocking than his Giants counterpart, John Michael Schmitz.

Edge rusher: Will Anderson Jr., Tuli Tuipulotu​

Anderson (36) and Tuipulotu (33) lead all rookies in pressures for the Texans and Chargers, respectively. Anderson's pressure rate of 15.7% is on par with that of players like Bradley Chubb and Aaron Donald, while Tuipulotu's 11.7% rate puts him in company with Brian Burns and Joey Bosa. Pretty impressive stuff for a pair of first-year edge guys. They're also third (Anderson) and first (Tuipulotu) among rookie defenders in run stops, per PFF.

Interior DL: Jalen Carter, Bryan Bresee​

Carter has faded down the stretch of the season for the Eagles, but was so effective early on that he's still tied with Tuipulotu with 33 pressures. His performance against the run, in particular, has waned, but he probably has more high-impact games than any rookie defender on the interior. It was surprising to see Bresee get this nod over Kobie Turner, but Bresee does still have 22 pressures and 15 stops on an effective New Orleans defense.

Linebacker: Ivan Pace Jr, Jack Campbell​

Pace somehow went undrafted and then emerged as one of the best and most versatile players on Brian Flores' Vikings defense. He's got 93 tackles and eight quarterback hits, along with two passes defended, a forced fumble and a recovery, an interception, and 2.5 sacks. He's really impressive. Campbell has made some splash plays on the second level of Detroit's defense, and he has been solid against the run. Teams have been able to take advantage of him in coverage at times, but he's been dependable enough to emerge as a consistent starter or rotational player in his first year.

Cornerback: Devon Witherspoon, Joey Porter Jr., Deonte Banks​

These three guys had very good seasons. Not just for rookie cornerbacks -- for anyone. Witherspoon split time between the slot and out wide and was Seattle's best corner. Porter was by far Pittsburgh's best cover man on the outside, and by the end of the year was at times shadowing No. 1 receivers and giving them issues with his size and physicality. And Banks was one of the only bright spots in this disastrous Giants season. An argument could be made for Tyrique Stevenson deserving one of these spots as well.

Safety: Brian Branch, Ji'Ayir Brown​

Branch is tied for second among rookies with his three interceptions and 10 passes broken up, and he has been a playmaker in coverage all year for the Lions. He's nominally a safety but has done most of his work in the slot. Brown was asked to take over for injured Talanoa Hufanga, and he stepped right in and did a fantastic job fitting in with one of the NFL's best defenses.

 

[Merlin]

Lions had a hell of a draft too. Gibbs & LaPorta are going to be key guys in that offense for a while.

 

[JimY53]

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

CBS Sports All-Rookie Team​

2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league's best first-year players

The Lions are well-represented on both sides of the ball

www.cbssports.com

Quarterback: C.J. Stroud​

Stroud put together one of the best rookie quarterback seasons in league history, up there with players like Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, Robert Griffin III and more. He has so far completed 63.2% of his passes at an average of 8.1 yards per attempt, with 3,844 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He took over a Texans team that was one of the worst in the NFL and has led it to the brink of the playoffs despite working behind a subpar and injured offensive line, and losing one of his top receivers earlier in the season.

Running back: Jahmyr Gibbs​

Gibbs got the nod here over Bijan Robinson and De'Von Achane. His 1,231 total yards nearly equal Robinson's and his 10 touchdowns exceed Robinson's total. The Lions first-rounder was also more efficient than Robinson on a per-touch basis. Achane was the most explosive player in the league at his position, but didn't play enough games or get enough touches to make as much of an impact as did Gibbs.

Wide receiver: Puka Nacua, Jordan Addison, Zay Flowers​

Nacua came out of the fifth round and is verging on setting multiple rookie records, racking up 101 catches for 1,445 yards, heading into Week 18 for the Rams. Addison took over as the Vikings' No. 1 wideout for part of the season while Justin Jefferson was out, and has so far turned his 100 targets into 66 grabs for 854 yards and nine scores. Flowers has been Lamar Jackson's top receiver all season, and has alternately been an explosive deep threat and a short-area YAC machine, doing whatever the Ravens have needed on his way to a 77-858-5 receiving line.

Tight End: Sam LaPorta​

LaPorta is a few receptions away from setting the record for a rookie tight end, and he is the only tight end in league history to surpass 80 catches, 800 yards and eight touchdowns. He's been a huge part of the Lions' explosive offense all year long.

Offensive tackle: Darnell Wright, Paris Johnson​

Wright and Johnson got the nod here after starting all 16 games so far for the Bears and Cardinals, respectively. They struggled a bit in pass protection and with penalties at times, but turning into functional starters as rookies is quite the accomplishment.

Guard: O'Cyrus Torrence, Steve Avila​

Avila has probably been the best of the rookie offensive linemen in pass protection, allowing only two sacks and seven hits all year for the playoff-bound Rams, per Pro Football Focus. Torrence has been a major contributor to Buffalo's rebuilt offensive line, which has been especially effective over the second half of the season as the Bills have surged in the playoff picture.

Center: Joe Tippmann​

Tippmann, a second-rounder for the Jets, was one of only three rookie centers to see significant snaps this year. Jarrett Patterson played in only seven games for the Texans, and Tippmann was much more effective run- and pass-blocking than his Giants counterpart, John Michael Schmitz.

Edge rusher: Will Anderson Jr., Tuli Tuipulotu​

Anderson (36) and Tuipulotu (33) lead all rookies in pressures for the Texans and Chargers, respectively. Anderson's pressure rate of 15.7% is on par with that of players like Bradley Chubb and Aaron Donald, while Tuipulotu's 11.7% rate puts him in company with Brian Burns and Joey Bosa. Pretty impressive stuff for a pair of first-year edge guys. They're also third (Anderson) and first (Tuipulotu) among rookie defenders in run stops, per PFF.

Interior DL: Jalen Carter, Bryan Bresee​

Carter has faded down the stretch of the season for the Eagles, but was so effective early on that he's still tied with Tuipulotu with 33 pressures. His performance against the run, in particular, has waned, but he probably has more high-impact games than any rookie defender on the interior. It was surprising to see Bresee get this nod over Kobie Turner, but Bresee does still have 22 pressures and 15 stops on an effective New Orleans defense.

Linebacker: Ivan Pace Jr, Jack Campbell​

Pace somehow went undrafted and then emerged as one of the best and most versatile players on Brian Flores' Vikings defense. He's got 93 tackles and eight quarterback hits, along with two passes defended, a forced fumble and a recovery, an interception, and 2.5 sacks. He's really impressive. Campbell has made some splash plays on the second level of Detroit's defense, and he has been solid against the run. Teams have been able to take advantage of him in coverage at times, but he's been dependable enough to emerge as a consistent starter or rotational player in his first year.

Cornerback: Devon Witherspoon, Joey Porter Jr., Deonte Banks​

These three guys had very good seasons. Not just for rookie cornerbacks -- for anyone. Witherspoon split time between the slot and out wide and was Seattle's best corner. Porter was by far Pittsburgh's best cover man on the outside, and by the end of the year was at times shadowing No. 1 receivers and giving them issues with his size and physicality. And Banks was one of the only bright spots in this disastrous Giants season. An argument could be made for Tyrique Stevenson deserving one of these spots as well.

Safety: Brian Branch, Ji'Ayir Brown​

Branch is tied for second among rookies with his three interceptions and 10 passes broken up, and he has been a playmaker in coverage all year for the Lions. He's nominally a safety but has done most of his work in the slot. Brown was asked to take over for injured Talanoa Hufanga, and he stepped right in and did a fantastic job fitting in with one of the NFL's best defenses.

Turner has 45 QB pressures and is about to set the new interior defensive line sack record. Who would take Breeze or Carter over Turner right now?

 

[Neil039]

Turner has 45 QB pressures and is about to set the new interior defensive line sack record. Who would take Breeze or Carter over Turner right now?

I'd add, who continued to get better as the season went on compared to who faded.

 

[JimY53]

Who would take Breeze or Carter over Turner right now?

 

[JimY53]

Mr. Irrelevant gets into stat sheet with SK/FF

ends year with 9 tackles, 2 sacks and a FF

11 games played

Impactful rookie class for sure

 

[Memento]

Mr. Irrelevant gets into stat sheet with SK/FF

ends year with 9 tackles, 2 sacks and a FF

11 games played

Impactful rookie class for sure

I KNEW HE WAS BETTER THAN PURDY!!!!

Desjuan Johnson would be a starter on a worse team. With us, he's a valuable rotational D-lineman.

And Davis Allen got on the stat sheet a lot as well.

 

[JimY53]

I KNEW HE WAS BETTER THAN PURDY!!!!

Desjuan Johnson would be a starter on a worse team. With us, he's a valuable rotational D-lineman.

Johnson didn't play much had 2 sacks
Adam Carricker, 1st round started 16 games - 2 sacks

 

[Memento]

Johnson didn't play much had 2 sacks
Adam Carricker, 1st round started 16 games - 2 sacks

I wanted Haloti Ngata and Elvis Dumervil (2006) and Darrelle Revis and Eric Weddle (2007) in those drafts. I was a teenager at that time.

That's why I never believe that most coaching/front office people are beyond reproach; I was smarter than Zygc*nt (sorry for the asterisk; the word automatically gets censored. I don't know why; we're all adults here.) and Loserhan by far. But I'm more than willing to say that McSnead gets full marks for not only this draft class, but quite a few players have been absolute finds.

 

[Kupped]

Johnson didn't play much had 2 sacks
Adam Carricker, 1st round started 16 games - 2 sacks

I feel like DJ's sacks were kinda like Larell Murchison's last year. Effort and cleanup.. but he did have a nice tfl this season that was just a solid play.
He's at least earned another year at camp.

 

[BuffaloRam]

I wanted Haloti Ngata and Elvis Dumervil (2006) and Darrelle Revis and Eric Weddle (2007) in those drafts. I was a teenager at that time.

That's why I never believe that most coaching/front office people are beyond reproach; I was smarter than Zygc*nt (sorry for the asterisk; the word automatically gets censored. I don't know why; we're all adults here.) and Loserhan by far. But I'm more than willing to say that McSnead gets full marks for not only this draft class, but quite a few players have been absolute finds.

Weddle or Ngata would have been so good.