5 things I think about the Rams 2024 draft class

The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books. How did the Rams’ crop shake out?

The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books, and the Los Angeles Rams crop has been finalized for the year. The team also spent time after the conclusion of the draft to sign undrafted free agents, which are of particular interest to the Rams because they have one or two UDFA’s make the roster each year.

All in all, here’s how the draft shook out for Los Angeles and their 10 picks followed by a few of my thoughts on the class:

First round

19 overall: EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State

Second round

39 overall: DE Braden Fiske, Florida State

Third round

83 overall: RB Blake Corum, Michigan

99 overall: DB Kamren Kinchens, Miami

Fifth round

154 overall: EDGE Brennan Jackson, Washington State

Sixth round

196 overall: DT Tyler Davis, Clemson

209 overall: K Joshua Karty, Stanford

213 overall: WR Jordan Whittington, Texas

217 overall: OC/OG Beaux Limmer, Arkansas

Seventh round

254 overall: OT/OG KT Leveston, Kansas State

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1 – Why I think Jared Verse fell to #19

In most draft rankings by experts, analysts, and fans, Jared Verse usually seemed to be the second ranked OLB. There was nearly a 50/50 split on who the top edge rusher was between Laiatu Latu and Dallas Turner, and the stark differences between these projects usually pushed the other to third behind Verse. In other words, if you liked the college production that Latu brought to the table, you likely pushed Turner (who didn’t have said production) further down your personal list. On the other hands, there were many evaluators who felt Turner’s athletic profile lent itself to a higher projected ceiling while Latu was a potentially maxed out player already.

At the end of the day, Latu was the first EDGE taken at #15 by the Indianapolis Colts. The Minnesota Vikings traded up to #17 ahead of the Rams for Turner. The Rams should be happy that Verse was available at #19 because, on the surface, his reach and powerful skillset is a perfect complement to speed rusher Byron Young.

2 – Braden Fiske was probably my favorite pick by the Rams

No individual player is going to replace Aaron Donald, who decided to hang up his cleats after the 2023 season. Still, Fiske is a high motor interior player who impressed at the Senior Bowl as the Practice Player of the Week and then showed out again at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Rams like disrupters on the interior, and that’s exactly what they are getting in Fiske.

But that’s not to say Fiske’s draft profile is blemish free. His 31-inch arms are a concern on the interior, as longer framed guards are able to lock him up if they get their hands on him.

Still, Fiske will slot in nicely at three technique and LA can keep Kobie Turner at five technique. Bobby Brown is an ascending player at nose tackle, and the bookends of Young and Verse should be able to attack in a variety of ways.

(Look who Fiske is working against to get the sack in the below video: Rams’ 6th round draft choice Beaux Limmer)

3 – You can like the Fiske pick and still admit the Rams gave up too much to get him

LA traded a 2025 second round pick in order to move up from #52 to #39. The Carolina Panthers held the pick, and they originally received the selection from the New York Giants when NY acquired edge rusher Brian Burns. While it’s true that the NFL often overvalues future draft picks, think what Les Snead could have done with this second round if he instead flipped it for a future veteran—though the salary cap implications complicate things.

It’s not smart to throw away a future second round pick. This is the same return compensation teams have received in return for premium pass rushers in Burns and Montez Sweat.

Sure, having an extra third round compensatory pick for the Atlanta Falcons hiring Raheem Morris helps soften the blow—but there’s a chance we are saying this time next year that the Rams regret not having a draft choice in the second round.

4 – Are we sure that Blake Corum was drafted to be Kyren Williams’ backup?

Rams fans didn’t seem too keen on LA’s selection of NCAA National Champion Blake Corum in the third round, though Corum is a capable rusher and brings a very similar skillset as starter Kyren Williams to the table. But Corum is bigger/heavier and faster than Williams. Corum is also just over a year removed from a major knee injury that he suffered in the 2022 college playoffs, and before the injury he was considered a highly explosive athlete.

While Williams was probably the second best running back in the NFL behind Christian McCaffrey in terms of production, it’s not like he’s a proven, multi-year starter. Before Week 1 last year we thought Cam Akers would get the first shot at starting, and ultimately Akers was pushed out of town to make room for Williams. Williams also has an extensive injury history for only being in the NFL for two seasons, and the injury bug reared it’s head in the wildcard round versus the Detroit Lions—and the Rams offense felt his absence.

There will be plenty of time to sort out who the starter will be for the Rams over training camp and the preseason, but I wouldn’t automatically assume Williams will be the lead back for 2024. Corum is talented and has experience being a high-volume carrier of the football.

5 – In a historic draft class for quarterbacks, tackles, and receivers, Rams basically came away empty handed

With the way the draft fell, it makes sense that LA didn’t come away with a quarterback. The top six were all taken in the first 12 picks. Spencer Rattler was the next off the board and he lasted until the mid-fifth round until the New Orleans Saints took a chance on him. It would have been interesting to see what the Rams would have done if either JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix, or Michael Penix had fallen further down the draft order. We’ll never know if quarterback was in their plans, though they have a new mess on their hands with Matthew Stafford wanting more guarantees in his contract.

At tackle Los Angeles could have brought in competition for Alaric Jackson at LT and potentially plan for the future. Instead, Jackson’s job seems safe and if he plays well he could earn a sizeable contract next year as he hits the open free agent market. Rob Havenstein also isn’t getting any younger at right tackle. Do the Rams need to start future proofing at tackle?

While LA drafted Whittington in the sixth round, it’s difficult to project a meaningful role for him as a rookie. There was still ample talent available in the second and third rounds while the Rams were on the clock, and instead they looked to bolster mostly the defense. The only premium selection they spent on offense was running back with Corum. You can never have too many player makers on your roster, and the Rams may have missed their chance to add another in 2024.