NFL Draft Notebook: Los Angeles Rams shine with another elite rookie class

The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2024 NFL season as one of the biggest winners of the draft, and their rookies have exceeded even the loftiest expectations. Two of the team’s defensive picks have already claimed Defensive Rookie of the Month honors, while offensive selections like Blake Corum and Beaux Limmer are making their mark. Following their third-ranked rookie class in 2023, per NFL.com, the Rams are cementing their status as masters of the draft process.

In this week's article, we’ll dive into the Rams' 2024 rookie class, preview two pivotal college football conference championship games, and reveal this week’s sleeper prospect—an under-the-radar talent from Alabama.

Breaking down the Rams' 2024 NFL Draft class

Round 1, Pick 19: Jared Verse, OLB, Florida State

The Rams hit a home run with their first first-round pick since 2016, selecting Jared Verse. A leading candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year, Verse has excelled in both pass-rushing and run defense. According to Pro Football Focus, he boasts an impressive 80.2 run defense grade and has logged 55 pressures this season. He’s already showing signs of becoming one of the NFL's elite defenders.

Round 2, Pick 39: Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State

The Rams doubled down on Florida State talent by selecting Braden Fiske, who has proven to be another defensive gem. Fiske earned Defensive Rookie of the Month honors in November after recording five sacks. Alongside Verse and previous draft picks Kobie Turner and Byron Young, Fiske has helped the Rams build a formidable young front seven.

Round 3, Pick 83: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

Blake Corum has shown flashes of promise, including a career-best 42-yard rushing performance against the Saints. However, critics of this pick may feel justified, as concerns about Corum’s lack of breakaway speed and limited role in the passing game have persisted. He has yet to record a breakaway run and has just four receptions this season.

Round 4, Pick 99: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami

Kamren Kinchens has outperformed his draft position, showcasing the ball skills he was known for at Miami. He’s already tallied three interceptions, including two against Seattle. While Kinchens hasn’t secured a starting role yet, his increased playing time and potential make him a candidate to crack the lineup soon.

Round 5, Pick 154: Brennan Jackson, OLB, Washington State

Fifth-rounder Brennan Jackson has had a quiet rookie season, appearing in just four games and playing 18 defensive snaps. His contributions have mainly come on special teams.

Round 6, Pick 196: Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson

The Rams found solid value in Tyler Davis, who has become a reliable rotational defensive tackle. Davis has recorded 11 tackles and four pressures, making a notable contribution for a sixth-round pick.

Round 6, Pick 209: Joshua Karty, K, Stanford

Kicker Joshua Karty has struggled in his rookie campaign, converting only 76% of his field goals and missing two extra points. Comparatively, Cam Little, taken three picks later by the Jaguars, has connected on 90% of his attempts, making this pick a disappointment.

Round 6, Pick 213: Jordan Whittington, WR, Texas

Jordan Whittington has been a pleasant surprise, catching 78% of his targets and excelling on special teams with a 28-yard average on kickoff returns. His strong preseason performance has carried into the regular season.

Round 6, Pick 217: Beaux Limmer, C, Arkansas

Although Beaux Limmer has struggled in his starting role, the fact that a sixth-round pick remains a starter is noteworthy. At worst, he projects as a dependable backup in the future.

Round 7, Pick 254: KT Leveston, OT, Kansas State

As the Rams’ final pick, KT Leveston making the team is an accomplishment in itself. The fact that all 10 of their draft picks earned roster spots speaks volumes about the quality of their scouting and drafting.

Five things to watch this weekend

1. Does Michael Penix Jr. take the field against the Vikings?

Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins is reeling after one of the worst performances of his NFL career, throwing three interceptions against the Los Angeles Chargers. This marked his third consecutive game without a touchdown pass, during which he's racked up six interceptions. If Cousins falters again this week against his former team, the Minnesota Vikings, it raises the question: will Atlanta turn to rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., their No. 8 overall pick in the draft?

2. Oregon’s ability to get to the quarterback

The top college matchup this week features No. 1 Oregon taking on No. 3 Penn State in the Big Ten Championship game. A critical factor in this clash is whether Penn State’s offensive line, which has struggled recently, can withstand Oregon’s elite defensive front. The Ducks boast two standout NFL Draft prospects: defensive end Jordan Burch, who recorded 2.5 sacks against Washington last week, and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, who leads all interior linemen with 47 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. If Oregon’s pass rush takes over, it could be the deciding factor in this high-stakes showdown.

3. Can Bucky Irving deliver another elite performance?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Irving is proving NFL Draft Notebook right after they declared him the running back they would "stand on the table for" ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. This season, Irving leads all rookies in rushing and ranks fourth overall in yards per carry, trailing only the Detroit Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley, and the Baltimore Ravens’ Derrick Henry. Fresh off the best performance of his young career—racking up 185 total yards and earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors—Irving looks primed for another strong showing this week against the Las Vegas Raiders.

4. Can Iowa State’s defense contain Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo?

The key matchup in the Big 12 Championship game is Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo versus the Cyclones' defense. Skattebo, a bruising runner and top prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, has been dominant lately, rushing for at least 147 yards in three of his last four games. Iowa State’s run defense has struggled this season, but with Arizona State missing star wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, expect the Cyclones to stack the box to stop the Sun Devils’ ground game. If Iowa State can contain Skattebo, they have a real shot at claiming their first conference championship since 1912—a feat NFL Draft Notebook predicted before the season.

5. Transfer portal opens

Although the transfer portal doesn’t officially open until Monday, it is expected to have a significant impact on the 2025 NFL Draft, with likely over a thousand players changing schools. Last year, the portal proved valuable for top prospects like Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen and Miami quarterback Cam Ward, both of whom boosted their draft stock after transferring. This year, two quarterbacks who were once highly regarded draft prospects, Miller Moss from USC and Casey Weigman from Texas A&M, are among the notable names in the transfer portal.

NFL Draft news and notes

Best rookie tight end ever: Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is making a strong case as the best rookie tight end in NFL history. He has already caught 84 passes for 884 yards this season, just two receptions shy of the rookie record of 86 set last year by the Lions’ Sam LaPorta, and is on pace to break Zach Ertz’s all-time single-season tight end record of 116 receptions with a projected 119 catches. Bowers has been a consistent playmaker, catching 45% of passes thrown to him in traffic and dropping only two passes all year, according to Pro Football Focus. His combination of production, reliability, and highlight-reel plays makes him a generational talent, and if he stays healthy while the Raiders improve at quarterback, Bowers could eventually rank among the greatest tight ends in NFL history.

Panthers may stick with Bryce Young: It seemed like a near certainty that the Carolina Panthers would pursue a quarterback early in the 2025 NFL Draft or sign a high-profile free agent after benching Bryce Young just two games into the season. However, Young has turned things around since reclaiming the starting role. His improved command of the offense, enhanced ability to read defenses, and consistently better performances have impressed the team. Notably, his quarterback rating has been above 75 in every game since his return, a significant improvement from the sub-60 ratings in his first two outings. Instead of drafting Young’s replacement, the Panthers are now expected to focus on adding weapons for him, such as a go-to receiver and a reliable tight end, in the upcoming draft.

"Now that he is back in the lineup, has gone 2-2, my understanding is that's gone a long way in showing the Panthers organization why they took him No. 1 overall."

- Ian Rapoport on Bryce Young

Bengals prioritize defense in 2025 offseason: The Bengals’ 2025 offseason strategy is becoming clear: a heavy focus on defense. After ranking 31st in the NFL in points allowed per game, giving up an average of 28.3 points, the need for improvement is urgent. Adding to the frustration, the Bengals set an NFL record for most losses in a single season when scoring at least 33 points, dropping four games under those circumstances. A major area of concern is the cornerback position, which could make Michigan's standout, Will Johnson, an ideal target in the 2025 NFL Draft. Whether through free agency or draft selections, the Bengals must shore up their defense to turn things around.

Raiders interested in Rylie Mills: Las Vegas Raiders general manager Tom Telesco was spotted at last week’s Notre Dame vs. USC game, likely scouting Irish defensive tackle Rylie Mills. With both starters John Jenkins and Adam Butler set to hit free agency after the season, defensive tackle is expected to be a key offseason priority for the Raiders. Mills is an explosive defender with a knack for pressuring the quarterback, making him an intriguing prospect. The Raiders could potentially snag Mills early on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Buffalo Bills draft target: The Buffalo Bills may look to bolster their roster in the 2025 NFL Draft by addressing the linebacker position. A potential Day 3 target is Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr., one of the most improved players in college football this season. Paul struggled last year at Arkansas, earning a disappointing 59 overall grade from Pro Football Focus and facing challenges in coverage. However, since transferring to Ole Miss, he has undergone a remarkable transformation. This season, he has achieved a stellar 90.1 grade, recording 88 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and emerging as one of the top linebackers in the SEC. Paul's standout trait as a pro prospect is his reliability as a tackler. He has missed only four tackles all season, showcasing his consistency. Additionally, he brings impressive strength and a knack for delivering punishing hits. If the Bills draft Paul, he could immediately contribute as a core special teams player with the potential to develop into a starting linebacker down the road.

Ravens Justin Tucker replacement: Justin Tucker, long heralded as one of the NFL's most reliable kickers, is enduring the worst season of his illustrious career. Tucker has connected on just 70% of his field goals this season—a staggering 12% drop from his previous career low. At 35 years old, his once-elite leg strength also appears diminished, raising questions about his future as Baltimore's go-to kicker. The Ravens may need to consider finding his successor in the 2025 NFL Draft. One promising candidate is Michigan’s Dominic Zvada, who has showcased exceptional accuracy and range. Zvada has made all seven of his attempts from beyond 50 yards this season and missed only one kick overall, positioning himself as an ideal fit to potentially fill Tucker's legendary shoes.

Weak free agent class of running backs: Last year, the free agent market for running backs was among the best in recent memory, with stars like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs finding new teams. This offseason, however, the crop of free-agent running backs falls short in comparison. The top options come with significant red flags: Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris lacks the breakaway speed to be a true home-run threat, Los Angeles’s J.K. Dobbins has struggled to stay healthy, and Green Bay’s Aaron Jones, now 30, is nearing the twilight of his career. For teams in need of a dynamic rusher, hope lies in the 2025 NFL Draft, which boasts running back as one of its strongest positions.