The Rams’ special teams unit in 2023 was abysmal, at best. As much as I try to avoid that language, there’s really no other way to describe what was a revolving carousel of kickers that served the Rams last season.
Some called for Chase Blackburn’s head but Sean McVay showed faith in his special teams coordinator and with a new kicker, perhaps some of the issues of old could resolve themselves quickly.
Joshua Karty, the Rams’ new kicker out of Stanford, has been given the keys to the kingdom. A 22-year-old from North Carolina, Karty was a two-time All-American who was nearly perfect from NFL extra point range and has a career-long of 61 yards. In the preseason, Karty went 5-for-6 on field goals. He did miss one extra point, though.
Punter Ethan Evans enters his second year in the league after a productive rookie year. Evans averaged 49.2 yards per punt, including 20 punts landing inside the opposing team’s 20-yard line. In Week 11 of the 2023 season, Evans earned his first NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award.
Long snapper Alex Ward also enters Year 2 alongside Evans. He started 13 games before a neck injury ended his rookie season. He’s good and he’s consistent.
The strength of a special teams unit lies in its ability to be consistent. The Rams did not have a consistent kicker last season. Karty’s film should calm all concerns but be weary as he’s still just a rookie. However, both Ward and Evans were rookies and they got the job done, perhaps a credit to Blackburn.