Winners & Losers from Pre Season GM 1 (grain of salt)

[rdlkgliders]

Rams Winners & Losers: Stetson Bennett turns the corner​

2025 brings a newly confident and productive Stetson Bennett for Rams
by JB Scott
Aug 9, 2025, 7:35 PM PDT



Quarterback Stetson Bennett led the Los Angeles Rams to a victory over the Dallas Cowboys to kickoff the 2025 preseason. LA come out on top 31-21. It was their highest scoring total on the offensive side in the preseason in the Sean McVay era.
Let’s dive into the individual performances and analyze who stood out in positive and negative ways. This is the first installment of “Winners & Losers” on the season.

Winners​

Stetson Bennett, QB​

Confident. Calm. Productive. Under control.
Those are words that perfectly describe Bennett’s first preseason game of 2025. It’s evident he’s turned a corner over training camp and from his first two exhibition series, and coaches—such as offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur—have complimented Bennett throughout the summer.
Bennett finished with 16 completions on 24 attempts for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He added three rushes for 11 yards with his legs. The third-year quarterback completed multiple deep shots to receiver Xavier Smith, and his lone interception came on a slightly underthrown pass to Konata Mumphfield. Bennett and Mumpfield were out of sync for most of the game.



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Those who did not play​

A few noteworthy individuals who did not appear in this game, which suggest they will have active roles when the regular season begins:

• Jordan Whittington, WR
• Tyler Davis, DT
• Omar Speights, MLB
• Emmanuel Forbes, CB

Xavier Smith, WR​

Smith was LA’s best receiver on Saturday evening. Knowing Whittington is effectively safe, it’s difficult to imagine the Rams keeping more than five receivers with the safe four being Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell, and Whittington. That likely leaves one spot for Smith and Mumpfield to battle out, though it’s within the realm of possibility both make the team.
For right now—because Smith can help on special teams and in the return game and because of their performances on Saturday—Smith has the advantage.


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Josaiah Stewart, EDGE​

Stewart secured his first NFL sack on Joe Milton in this game. He secured the edge in the run game and made his presence felt early. It seemed Stewart was the most consistent pass rusher against Dallas, and there is a competition for playing time after the departure of Michael Hoecht.


View: https://x.com/NFL_DF/status/1954332835155734669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1954332835155734669%7Ctwgr%5E6df7fc4e9e8f767e58d0a85fa190e3583f328a24%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.turfshowtimes.com%2Flos-angeles-rams-preseason%2F123800%2Frams-winners-losers-stetson-bennett-turns-the-corner

Blake Corum & Cody Schrader, RB​

I’ll be honest in my analysis that I don’t think this was a “wow” outing from second-year back Blake Corum; however, it’s difficult to keep a multi-TD effort off the “winners” list. Corum was effective on the ground, though he did drop a pass from Bennett that forced the Rams to go for it on fourth down. Corum finished with nine rushes for 32 yards (3.6 avg).
Cody Schrader was easily the most effective back. He helped seal the game following a Cowboys score by ripping off multiple long runs. He accumulated 59 yards on five carries (11.8 avg) and added a nine-yard score through the air.


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Pooh Paul, MLB​

Fifth-round rookie Pooh Paul was the green dot guy (defensive signal caller) to start the game. He was active and finished with four tackles. While Nate Landman and Omar Speights seem entrenched at starters, there could still be a realistic path to playing time for the rookie over the back half of the season. It’s worth noting that Paul battled a calf injury at the start of training camp.

Offensive line at-large​

Bennett had plenty of time to throw, and even when rushers broke through he was athletic enough to mitigate the rush. While the ground game didn’t produce many big gains early, the offensive line played a key role in closing this game out. Kudos to the big guys up front.

Losers​

Shaun Jolly, CB​

Shaun Jolly was flagged for defensive pass interference that was one of Dallas’ biggest offensive plays in the first half. He often looked loose and grabby in coverage while AJ Green and Cam Lampkin had better evenings.

Konata Mumpfield, WR​

Mumpfield was one of the most hyped players by the team coming into this game. Reportedly he’s been playing well in training camp. However, there was a miscommunication between the rookie receiver and Bennett on a long pass attempt where Mumpfield stayed vertical on his route while the quarterback through inside towards the post. Mumpfield also had a brutal drop over the middle of the field and showed a disappointing lack of fight on Bennett’s interception.
It was a rough debut for the rookie receiver.


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Ty Hamilton, DT​

Rookie Ty Hamilton—taken in the fifth round—seemed to struggle in run defense. There wasn’t much to complain about on defense but his performance was one of the few negative developments that stood out. He’ll have two more games to demonstrate that he should have a role on the regular season roster in what is becoming a crowded defensive interior group.

Nick Hampton, EDGE​

Hampton was easily LA’s worst EDGE defender in this game. I thought all of Stewart, Brennan Jackson, and Keir Thomas had better outings (in that order). Hampton in theory could be a situational pass rush specialist, but he’s done little to command such a role in what is now his third season.

 

[OldSchool]

Mumpfield was far from a disappointment. Yes the miscommunication happened but he had a great game otherwise.

 

[rdlkgliders]

Mumpfield was far from a disappointment. Yes the miscommunication happened but he had a great game otherwise.

Agree, not disappointing or impressive, we would need to know more to fairly rate. He may or may not have made the wrong read on the deep ball, everybody drops easy ones, he may not have been in position to fight for the ball that was an INT, he caught the first one and the catch on the deflection was great concentration. I think he blocked pretty well but I need a rewatch to know. I wish more balls went his way, why they didn't who knows

 

[rdlkgliders]

I think a big game out of Konata is coming. Wallace looked good and so did the secondary as a whole
It's almost certain the LB's will be an improved group.
The OL kept Stetson upright which is not the norm for Ram preseasons over the past few seasons.
RB room ran hard and looked good

 

[Memento]

Disagree on Mumpfield being a loser. He had a bad drop, but I don't think the interception was on him; Bennett should've taken the sack or checked it down and should've never thrown that ball into double coverage (and I say that aside from that and a few other throws, Bennett had an excellent game). And he showed off a lot of fight on the screen pass, breaking tackles, showed that he could get separation (the deep ball that Bennett missed, I feel that Stafford would've nailed Mumpfield for a touchdown, some of the other throws).

He's a rookie, a seventh-round rookie. Not everyone is going to ball out in preseason like Whittington did. He has one - possibly two - more games to prove himself.

 

[rdlkgliders]

He's a rookie, a seventh-round rookie. Not everyone is going to ball out in preseason like Whittington did. He has one - possibly two - more games to prove himself.

Hopefully, lets stay optimistic that the ankle injury that reportedly was the reason for his late exit doesn't slow him.

 

[Psycho_X]

I was watching the offiensive tackles when I could and I thought Quessenberry had a really good game. He was standing his man up and not moving most of the game. that would be good if we found a good backup RT at least.

 

[LouisvilleRam]

Relentless

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

Disagree on Mumpfield being a loser. He had a bad drop, but I don't think the interception was on him; Bennett should've taken the sack or checked it down and should've never thrown that ball into double coverage (and I say that aside from that and a few other throws, Bennett had an excellent game). And he showed off a lot of fight on the screen pass, breaking tackles, showed that he could get separation (the deep ball that Bennett missed, I feel that Stafford would've nailed Mumpfield for a touchdown, some of the other throws).

He's a rookie, a seventh-round rookie. Not everyone is going to ball out in preseason like Whittington did. He has one - possibly two - more games to prove himself.

They probably put him down as a loser because he’s competing with Xavier Smith for that 5th WR spot, and Smith had the better game.

 

[Memento]

They probably put him down as a loser because he’s competing with Xavier Smith for that 5th WR spot, and Smith had the better game.

They should keep six receivers on the roster, especially since Smith is likely going to be our punt returner (and he's an older receiver; older than Atwell, even), and especially since Atwell will be a free agent (again) after this year.

 

[Merlin]

Ty Hamilton, DT​

Rookie Ty Hamilton—taken in the fifth round—seemed to struggle in run defense. There wasn’t much to complain about on defense but his performance was one of the few negative developments that stood out. He’ll have two more games to demonstrate that he should have a role on the regular season roster in what is becoming a crowded defensive interior group.

Yeah didn't even notice him, and usually I make an effort to watch the rooks. But given his play at Ohio St I am not too worried. He's a load and I think that has to start translating for the Rams at some point. Hope so at least.

 

[Merlin]

They probably put him down as a loser because he’s competing with Xavier Smith for that 5th WR spot, and Smith had the better game.

Smith really did look good. I'd say right now he's got WR5 locked. Mumps will be WR6 if he keeps working, though Covey may have something to say about that and also offers returns.

 

[RamDino]

I don't envy Mcvay having to pick the winners and losers if this first preseason game was any indication.

 

[PARAM]

I think the entire TEAM looked good. Prepaired. Motivated. Confident. Were some guys better than others? Sure. I'll reserve judgement (either way) for a couple more games.

 

[Merlin]

I think the entire TEAM looked good. Prepaired. Motivated. Confident. Were some guys better than others? Sure. I'll reserve judgement (either way) for a couple more games.

Defensive front was not good. Thought they got pushed around way too much. Looked like they need more sled time and padded practices before the next game, at the very least.

Secondary had a lot of bad too. Hoping the defense tightens it up because that 187 penalty drive in the second quarter followed by 3 'n out by our offense and another extensive drive eliminated a full quarter of opportunity for the offensive side of the ball.

 

[Memento]

Defensive front was not good. Thought they got pushed around way too much. Looked like they need more sled time and padded practices before the next game, at the very least.

Secondary had a lot of bad too. Hoping the defense tightens it up because that 187 penalty drive in the second quarter followed by 3 'n out by our offense and another extensive drive eliminated a full quarter of opportunity for the offensive side of the ball.

Agreed on the first. I was disappointed that nobody on the defense aside from Stewart got consistent pressure on Milton. I was very disappointed in B-Jax, D-John, and Hampton, in particular; they were stymied way too many times for my liking, especially since they're two/three year vets. Hamilton was disappointing, but he's still only a rookie. Thought Dolac and Paul showed out as well, but the edge rushers and D-line were disappointing at best.

As for the secondary? Loved the defensive play of our UDFAs last year (Wallace, Woods, and Lampkin; yeah, I thought Wallace played well, and I felt that taunting penalty on him was one of the weakest I've seen). I think they have a future in the league. Valcarcel was good for most of the game and was a solid tackler for most of it as well. He intrigues me.

You nailed it on everything else in the secondary, though. Jolly and Green were very disappointing, for being long-term vets. Kendrick was absolutely invisible (which admittedly could be a good or bad thing), and considering he's supposed to be a vet, well, he was unsurprising, to me. The miscommunication in coverage on the Fairweather touchdown cannot happen against better teams if we hope to win.

Defense had some studs and some stood out for the right reasons, but others are glaringly not a part of the future.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I think the Rams keep six receivers. One backup for each position

1st String——-> backup

Adams————> Mumpfield
Puka—————> Whittington
Tutu—————->Smith

 

[XXXIVwin]

I think the Rams keep six receivers. One backup for each position

1st String——-> backup

Adams————> Mumpfield
Puka—————> Whittington
Tutu—————->Smith

I wonder if Britain "crash test dummy" Covey will get a chance in PS to show what he can do on punt returns. (That was the nickname he got from Iggles fans because of his small stature and reckless playing style.)

X Smith averaged 9.3 as a PR last year, pretty middling.

Stoops and Presley had some nice plays to show other teams.

 

[Ram_Rally]

Pff gave Willie Lamkin the highest grade on the team yesterday. Pulling for him.

 

[majrleaged]

Yeah didn't even notice him, and usually I make an effort to watch the rooks. But given his play at Ohio St I am not too worried. He's a load and I think that has to start translating for the Rams at some point. Hope so at least.

It usually takes some time for most Dline to acclimate to the NFL and the Rams are a very patient team. It has paid off over and over for them.