The Los Angeles Rams are set for the future with a young, star-filled roster.
Head coach Sean McVay and the rest of the scouting team have been able to get hit after hit with their draft selection in recent years.
Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano names Los Angeles as the fourth-best team with players under the age of 25, highlighting three specific players: wide receiver Puka Nacua, running back Kyren Williams and EDGE rusher Jared Verse.
“The Rams don’t have as much young depth as the other teams listed for this story. But it doesn’t get much better than Los Angeles’s big three of Verse, Nacua and Williams,” Manzano wrote for SI. “Nacua is already viewed as one of the best wide receivers in the league heading into his third season. Verse could soon contend for Defensive Player of the Year awards after being named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024. And Williams has racked up 31 total touchdowns over the past two seasons.”
Nacua had a slight regression in his professional season due to injury. In the 11 games he played for the Rams last season, he recorded 990 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Williams was able to rush for a second 1,000+ yard season and had 14 rushing touchdowns as a 24-year-old.
Verse is coming off winning the DROY award last season and appears headed for a better sophomore season. The former Florida State Seminole registered 4.5 sacks and 66 tackles in his rookie season.
With the main trio still on rookie deals — and Williams looking to extend — the future of the Rams appears in good hands.
Slightly Older Players
GettyLos Angeles Rams defensive linemen Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner
The main trio of Nacua, Verse and Williams are still under the age of 25 before the beginning of the season.
Los Angeles has multiple players who just failed to meet the age criteria for Manzano’s age group, but provided great performances for the team.
Defensive linemen Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske are still on their rookie deals at the ages of 26 and 25 for the Rams.
The two D-linemen provided 16.5 sacks last season for the team. Fiske finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after logging 8.5 sacks in his rookie season.
Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell, who turned 25 last season, had the best receiving yard season with 562 yards. Atwell returned to LA with a $10 million deal this offseason.
Unproven Players
GettySecond-round pick Terrance Ferguson is seen by many as a fantastic selection by the Rams.
The Rams made their first selection of the 2025 NFL Draft on Day 2, selecting tight end Terrance Ferguson out of Oregon.
McVay has been impressed by what he has seen from his new tight end, but the player has yet to see an NFL game. Ferguson, who turned 22 years old earlier this year, could fight to be the starting TE spot with the older incumbent, Tyler Higbee.
Manzano also pointed to second-year safety Kamren Kinchens, who logged 4 interceptions in his rookie year. Kinchens also had 57 total tackles last season.
“Perhaps Ferguson, the 2025 second-round pick, could develop into a quality playmaker for Matthew Stafford. The team is expecting a dominant second season from Kinchens, who made several key plays as a rookie,” Manzano wrote.
With the season nearing, the Rams will see if they hit the jackpot with Kinchens development and Ferguson’s rookie season.
