I don't think that anyone will disagree that the LA Rams offense was a pale shade of itself throughout 2024. Whether the source of the trouble was a rash of incessant injuries, miscommunication due to a lack of continuity, or simply poor planning for the players who suited up, the Rams offense was unable to score points at a rate that most fans are accustomed to. And without points piling up on the scoreboard, the team had to rely upon a young defense and special teams to win games.
Thankfully, they were up to the challenge. The Rams finished 2024 with a record of 10-7 and were able to compete in the NFL Playoffs for their second consecutive season. But a loss to the Philadelphia Eagies in the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs placed the tem on the outside looking in. A matter of inches, or rather two yards, stopped the Rams from a final touchdown drive that would have won the game.
Now, the entire football organization is focused upon building a team that can move those chains, win that game, and continue its pursuit of another Lombardi Trophy.
But there are some huge challenges to finding that path. Namely, is it a matter of demotion or trading away players who underperformed? Or is it a matter of finding new blood via the NFL Free Agency marker, extending current players, or drafting talented rookies? Finally, what of the players who had cameo roles in 2024 who should be viewed as key contributors in 2025?
There are many such young hopefuls on this team. But for now, let's focus on three such rookies who have the makings of significant contributions in 2025 should the opportunity arise. they are:
(3) - OT K.T. Leveston
Kansas State offensive tackle K.T. Leveston is often and easily forgotten. Standing 6-foot-4 and tipping the scales at 336 pounds, Leveston is a big burly offensive tackle who was projected to come off the board far sooner than late in Round 7 of the 2024 NFL Draft. But the Rams were delighted to select him with their 10th and final pick.
Leveston arrived with high marks in both run and pass blocking as a physical snarling type of blocker who loves to initiate contact, handle his business throught twists and stunts, and seek additional defenders to engage as the offensive play develops. The consensus of draft profiles cited high upside, but a raw rookie who needs coaching to refine his techniques.
Unfortunately, two things occurred to prevent Leveston from getting playing time in 2024. The first event was an ankle injury that placed him on IR. Normally, that would be another day at the office. But with limited moves from IR to the active roster, and a tsunami of injuries to veteran players as soon as the season arrived, Leveston never returned to the active roster all season long:
KT Leveston and Warren McClendon both got ankle injuries on Sunday. McClendon still participated in today's practice to an extend, while Leveston did not.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 7, 2024
Hunter Long got banged up on a play today but McVay thinks he's OK.
Even that would not pose a problem for a veteran. But much like QB Stetson Bennett in 2023, Leveston had no access to the team all season. He did have a full training camp, and he clearly understands where and how he needs to focus to make himself more competitive in 2024.
He won't be handed playing time. Even with the projected loss of OT Joe Noteboom, and the expired contract of starting left tackle Alaric Jackson, the team has both OT Warren McClendon Jr. and AJ Arcuri returning with aspirations of securing significant playing time.
NFL Draft analysts projected Leveston to move inside, but in light of the team's current roster status, I expect the team will keep Leveston at his natural position: Left offensive tackle. Much like Alaric Jackson signing with the Rams after the 2021 NFL Draft, Leveston is much better and NFL-ready than you may guess from his late selection. Is he worthy of an NFL starting role? That remains to be seen.
But keep him on your radar.
RB Blake Corum
I was not enamored with the LA Rams selecting Michigan workhorse running back Blake Corum with the 83rd overall pick in Round 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft for the very reason that we witnessed all season. Selecting a rusher that soon indicates an offensive skill player who is projected to start or to share the workload, and will be a significant contributor for the team.
Corum arrived to the Rams roster with two undeniable attributes that screamed plug-and-play into an NFL offense. The first characteristic is that he can be that guy to carry the load. He scored 45 touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Michigan Wolverines, an incredible feat as most collegiate defenses knew that he would be carrying the football.
For a team like the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, or even the San Francisco 49ers, Corum made perfect sense. Those NFL offenses love to soften up defenses with a stalwart running game, will mix in various running backs to keep the ground attack fresh, and build off that grind it out offense in a form that frustrates high-powered opposing offenses who cannot get on the football field.
The Rams offense is simply not built that way.
Corum got 119 offensive snaps in 2024. He carried the football 58 times for 207 yards and no touchdowns all season. That is simply a shockingly pedestrian performance from a Day 2 running back. When he had the chance to put his full potential on display in Week 18, he fractured his arm and left the game with two carries for 10 yards and one reception for 12 yards.
Corum does not have breakaway speed, as his longest run was 12 yards. He is, however, a gifted offensive weapon who can run and catch the football. I'm not suggesting that the team recrafts the offense to better suit Corum in 2025, but the team invested huge draft capital into him. I'd hate to see his NFL career go no better than that of wide receiver Tutu Atwell.
Corum may have to share the load with RB Kyren Williams in 2025, but it must be a more equitable distribution. Williams demonstrated a tendency to fumble the football in 2024, perhaps that can be fixed if the team gives Blake Corum a heavier workload, which would in turn allow Kyren Williams to stay rested and stronger throughout the season.
WR Jordan Whittington
The LA Rams found a diamond-in-the-rough in Round 6 of the 2024 NFL Draft in Texas rookie wide receiver Jordan Whittington. Entering the draft, the Rams wide receiver room seemed to be saturated with veteran contributors who, if they managed to follow suit with past performances, would wow the NFL with outstanding production.
Ah, but that is not what happened. The Rams lost both WRs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp early in the season, and Jordan Whittington found himself starting three games for the team. While he did not catch a touchdown pass, he did manage to haul in 22 of 28 passes for 293 yards. He also ran twice for a total of 12 yards.
Unlike Corum, whose early selection mandated a much greater role on offense out of the gates, Whittington's late selection on Day 3 allowed his role to grow organically in the offense. He truly came into his own in Week 18, when he caught three of four passes for an incredible 86 yards as well as recording two run for 12 yards. He proved his proficiency and versatility in that game, creating a huge baseline to spring from in 2025.
Plus you can add his superb ability to return kickoffs for the team in the second half of the season.
However the Rams offense evolves this offseason, Whittington is a vital component of almost any scenario. He is tough as nails, a young physical receiver whose light workload will only serve to make him that much stronger this season. He can test the back end of defenses, averaging 21.5 yards per target in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks starting secondary. He can carry the football, sustaining the Rams willingness to keep receivers active in the running game. He can block, return kickoffs, and offer a different skillset to a rather homogenous receiver room.
What I love most about Jordan Whittington is his willingness to work in the shadows. He is the man behind the curtain, the huckster pulling the levers and turning the dials while the great Wizard of Oz occupies everyone's attention.
While veteran Demarcus Robinson has pleaded his case to return to the Rams in 2025, Jordan Whittington's emergence may make re-signing Robinson unnecessary. I love what he can do in this offense in 2025. Hopefully, the Rams coaching staff agrees.
As always, thanks for reading.
