The Los Angeles Rams needed an impactful rookie class in 2023 after kicking off their roster rebuild and they hit a home run. Despite not having a first-round pick, the Rams came away with a draft class that helped them secure a wild-card spot and nearly upset the Lions in the first round of the playoffs.
Puka Nacua had the best rookie season ever by a wide receiver, setting multiple records, while Kobie Turner led all rookies with nine sacks – as a defensive tackle, no less. Fellow third-round pick Byron Young finished second among all rookies with eight sacks, too. And that’s without even mentioning their top pick, Steve Avila, who didn’t miss a single snap all year.
NFL.com ranked every draft class from 2023 and shockingly, the Rams weren’t first or second. They were ranked third, but even that’s too low. The Texans earned the top spot and the Steelers were ranked second.
The Rams haven’t had a first-round pick since they took Jared Goff first overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, but general manager Les Snead scored a highly productive haul with his 2023 rookie class, which was studded with multiple first-year standouts.
It’s understandable that the Texans would be ranked ahead of the Rams after C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. won Rookie of the Year awards. However, it’s really hard to make the case that the Steelers’ rookie class was better than the Rams’.
From top to bottom, the Rams had five rookies who played a pivotal role for them. Davis Allen did a nice job filling in at tight end when Tyler Higbee was injured, too. How each class turns out in the next three or four years remains to be seen, but just based on rookie impact, the Rams had the better draft.