The Rams had a clear purpose in their approach to the 2024 NFL draft: address the defense, find offensive rotation/developmental pieces and hopefully discover the long-term solution to a prevalent kicking issue.
The Rams enjoyed some much-needed rest during their Week 6 bye and we had an opportunity to evaluate the performances and progress through the first quarter of the season from the Rams’ rookies.
While the Rams have only played five games, because to the pile of injuries suffered already, many younger players have seen significant snaps through five weeks.
With that being said, here are the first-quarter grades for the Rams’ 2024 draft class. Grades are based on performance, impact compared to draft slot expectations and an understanding of the Rams’ schemes.
Round 1, Pick 19: Jared Verse: A
Verse has lived up to his lofty expectations, clearly separating himself from the other edge players in the 2024 class. He’s the rookie leader in multiple statical categories, including tackles and tackles for loss.
Round 2, Pick 39: Braden Fiske: B+
Leaving a bit more to be desired in the run game, Fiske is in need of development but that will come in time. He’s displaying a solid pass-rush arsenal and the explosiveness we saw him have in college.
Round 3, Pick 83: Blake Corum: C
Corum’s abilities are not what got him a C grade. In fact, he hasn’t done anything wrong at all. It’s a C because the Rams haven’t given him the touches he deserves and they could’ve used the pick to get a player at a priority position.
Round 3, Pick 99: Kamren Kinchens: D
Kinchens has looked lost on the field and has gotten beat in coverage time and time again. While he’s been hurt by the playcalling, his play or lack of it, is very concerning. The Rams even benched him in Week 5.
Round 5, Pick 154: Brennan Jackson: N/A
Jackson is another victim of a lack of opportunities. As an edge player, Jackson has to fight for reps against two players on rookie deals with Byron Young and Jared Verse. He has yet to play a defensive snap and is usually a healthy scratch. This is another pick that could’ve been used on a different position. Though he gets an N/A for his play, the Rams get a C- for the pick so far.
Round 6, Pick 196: Tyler Davis: B
Davis is a perfect pick for the sixth round. He’s a rotational player who is ideal for the Rams’ run defense and is setting himself up for a massive sophomore season.
Round 6, Pick 209: Joshua Karty: B+
Karty may have had a few slip-ups but he’s been solid for a team in desperate need of a kicker. He still hasn’t established himself as the long-term kicker of the Rams but he’s well on his way to doing so.
Round 6, Pick 213: Jordan Whittington: A
What more can be said? Whittington is a productive receiver who’s become a starter and will be a future playmaker.
Round 6, Pick 217: Beaux Limmer: A
A staring-caliber center in the sixth round? That’s a home run, no doubt about it. Limmer has played well in place of Jonah Jackson and Steve Avila.
Round 7, Pick 254: KT Leveston: N/A
Leveston can’t be graded because we haven’t seen him on the field at all this season, but we’ll give the Rams a C for the selection. An ankle injury has delayed Leveston’s rookie year, hindering his progress while on IR.
Honorable mention: Jaylen McCollough. Despite being an UDFA, McCollough has been a playmaker for the Rams, earning himself an A grade.