After parting ways with several key veteran starters in the offseason, the Los Angeles Rams were in desperate need of a home run in the draft – and not just with their top pick. They had to land several impact rookies on Day 2 and 3, and that’s exactly what Les Snead and Sean McVay did.
Through the first six weeks of the season, no team in the NFL has gotten more from its draft class than the Rams. According to Pro Football Focus, the Rams’ non-quarterback rookies have played 1,453 snaps, which is more than any team in the league.
The Texans are close behind, so including C.J. Stroud would obviously put them ahead of the Rams, but it’s remarkable how much the Rams have gotten out of their rookies this year, despite not having a first-round pick.
Most snaps from rookie non-QBs:
Rams 1453
Texans 1415
Cardinals 1408
Bears 1340
Packers 1163
Seahawks 1135
Patriots 1031— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) October 16, 2023
The four players who have really led the way in the 2023 class are Steve Avila, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Puka Nacua. All four of them are key contributors, earning starting roles early in their careers. If not for them, the Rams probably wouldn’t be 3-3 right now heading into Week 7.
Avila has had some up-and-down performances but for the most part, he’s been outstanding. He has the seventh-best overall grade of any rookie lineman this season, according to PFF, allowing just two sacks.
Turner and Young are both among the 10 highest-graded rookie defenders this year, too. Turner ranks ninth with a grade of 72.1, while Young is 10th at 71.6. Young’s 25 total pressures are the most of any rookie and Turner’s eight pressures rank sixth in the class.
Nacua, obviously, has been a stud at wide receiver. His 82.2 overall grade is the highest of any rookie this year and overall, he’s 12th among all wideouts in the NFL – regardless of draft class.
Nick Hampton and Ochaun Mathis have gotten snaps at outside linebacker for the Rams, too, and Ethan Evans has been a fantastic rookie punter with his powerful leg. And at least for the time being, Zach Evans is likely to be the starting running back with Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers out.
It was impressive enough that all 14 draft picks made the 53-man roster, but several of them have already played key roles. The Rams appear to have hit a home run in 2023.
