2026 Breakout Player For Rams

[CoachAllred]

Training camp around the corner, and I am already catching the fever. If there is anything
true about camp, It's that some players are going to surprise. Either stepping up to another
level or a player coming up out of the blue.

It can be a 2 or 3rd year vet, or a UDFA that pops up out of nowhere.

Watching Byron Young Quietly lead the team in sacks and TFL's was awesome.
My eyes were on Verse, thinking he was going to make that 2nd year leap.
Meanwhile there was a monster breaking out, on the other side.

This year, I expect there to be at least 3 players to hit the double digit sack mark.
Of course Garrett is getting his and Young will be in Full Beast mode again.
I really like Josaiah Stewart to hit that 10+ sack mark. He made the most
out of his low snap count.

Garrett certainly has the ability to play off the ball at OLB, he just hasn't been
on a 3\4 def that I know of.
The Rams will have him lining up all over the front I think that will give
Josaiah more opp's JMO but that is all this guy needs . The added bonus
for both Young , and Stewart is getting to be the secondary concern for offenses.
While opposing OC's have night terrors about the BIG DOG.

Let me know who you guys like and why. Who do we need to be
checking out ?

​

 

[CGI_Ram]

Stewart is a good sleeper as a rotational guy. Played well as a rookie.

2025 Rams Defensive Snap Counts (via Pro Football Reference):

• Top two edges (Verse & Young): ~76% each.
• Josaiah Stewart: 33%.
• Next edge (Desjuan Johnson): 9%.

Stewart’s playing time was solid for a rookie behind an established duo, and PFF graded his overall performance at 69.1 (with a strong 74.0 pass-rush grade).

 

[Tumak61]

I like Jaylen McCollough to break out this season. One of the biggest hitters in the Secondary. Definitely one of the core gameday 47's. Solid on special teams as well.

 

[PARAM]

Stewart is a good sleeper as a rotational guy. Played well as a rookie.

2025 Rams Defensive Snap Counts (via Pro Football Reference):

• Top two edges (Verse & Young): ~76% each.
• Josaiah Stewart: 33%.
• Next edge (Desjuan Johnson): 9%.

Stewart’s playing time was solid for a rookie behind an established duo, and PFF graded his overall performance at 69.1 (with a strong 74.0 pass-rush grade).

In no particular order, my breakout canidates are:

Terrance Ferguson
Josiah Stewart

Ferguson with a ridiculous 21.0 yds/rec average showed his potential
Stewart looked like a high effort OLB.....and perhaps his rookie performance made losing Verse for Garrett a bit more palpable.

If there are any other breakout players I hope they are from the receiving corp (Mumpfield, Whittington or Daniels) or RB room (Corum, Hunter).

 

[Faceplant]

Agree with the posts above. Stewart, Tank, Mump and Ferg look like potential ballers to me. Can't wait to see what the season brings for them.

 

[Jacobarch]

Desjuan Johnson and CJ Daniel's.

 

[Ram65]

I'm hoping Braden Fiske is healthy. If he is, I expect him to be much improved. Kind of a comeback player, but it could be a breakout year with or without AD coming back.

Terrance Ferguson should be getting a lot more looks. I expect him to step up this year.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I like Jaylen McCollough to break out this season. One of the biggest hitters in the Secondary. Definitely one of the core gameday 47's. Solid on special teams as well.

No one is going to be able to convince me that a guy who had the 2nd highest snaps on special teams, but ONLY had 5 special teams tackles (3 solo, 2 assisted) is solid on special teams.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Shaun Dolac, Linebacker

 

[Mojo Ram]

Im going with Blake Corum.
Year 3
Showing the ability and threat to turn a “successful” run into a big play/house call would be huge for this offense.

 

[Ram65]

Im going with Blake Corum.
Year 3
Showing the ability and threat to turn a “successful” run into a big play/house call would be huge for this offense.

The stats below show how Corum improved from his rookie year. Here are his rookie stats:
Blake Corum (2024 Rams Stats)

• Games: 17
• Rushing: 58 carries, 207 yards, 0 TD (3.6 YPC)
• Receiving: 7 catches, 58 yards, 0 TD
• Returns: 7 kick returns, 186 yards

Blake Corum (2025 Rams Stats)

• Games: 17
• Rushing: 145 carries, 746 yards, 6 TDs (5.1 YPC)
• Receiving: 8 catches, 36 yards, 0 TD
• Returns: 13 kick returns, 326 yards [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

His YPC went from 3.6 to a whopping 5.1.

Do you think the Rams/McVay will even up the carries to around 200 for both Corum and Williams? Hunter may even be in the mix in his second year. The Rams could run more when you factor in the defensive improvement, which could lead to bigger and more second-half leads.

Could we see two 1,000-yard rushers?

I like Corum because he sees the outside openings and gains a lot of yards outside the edge.
It would keep them both fresher and possibly healthier.

Thoughts.

 

[Memento]

I know that guys like Josaiah Stewart, Terranc Ferguson, Shaun Dolac, Braden Fiske, Desjuan Johnson, Tank McCollough, and Blake Corum (as well as Konata Mumpfield and Jarquez Hunter, to an extent) have all been mentioned, and all of them are excellent picks.

I'm picking two who haven't been mentioned yet (and may not break out, so much as get better):

Offense: Jordan Whittington. (Yes, I understand that a lot of people here see him as only a role player, but he's in his third year. The time to put up or the door is shut - and I think he could put up a lot of stats. He's done it before when Puka's gone down with an injury in his rookie year. He was also a solid kick returner in his rookie year, and I think that a better special teams coach than Blackburn could really unlock that side of him again. To have a receiver who can block well, receive more passes than one would think, do all of the little things well, and give you solid kick returns? That's a breakout pick for me.)

Defense: Kam Kinchens. (How in the hell has nobody mentioned Kinchens yet?! He's a helluva free safety, even with people blocking his way to playing time. He's one of the best ballhawks we have in the secondary. He's been basically healthy his whole career (hasn't missed a single game his whole career, including postseason). We're likely going to play Lake a lot at STAR, so Kinchens is going to play a lot. Like Whittington, he's in his third year, the year that most good players "get it". How the hell has he not a pick for a breakout player?)

Honorable mentions go to the Tys (Davis and Hamilton) on the D-line. Davis will continue his ascent as a run-stopper and a valuable member of the line, while Hamilton, I personally believe, will be much improved in his second year (as not everyone can contribute as a rookie).

 

[Merlin]

So many possibilities, which itself shows how strong this roster is.

Gonna go with Fiske on defense. Dude works his ass off and just has to do better vs doubles.

And on offense will go with Klare. He's a rook and not as rangy as Ferg, but he's so dependable and really fits this offense. If that slot job's open he has a good chance I think.

Ferg's probably the better bet, but he may end up being the inline dude moreso than the slot role. Either way I think TE is gonna produce well just a question of who ends up providing it.

 

[CoachAllred]

Stewart is a good sleeper as a rotational guy. Played well as a rookie.

2025 Rams Defensive Snap Counts (via Pro Football Reference):

• Top two edges (Verse & Young): ~76% each.
• Josaiah Stewart: 33%.
• Next edge (Desjuan Johnson): 9%.

Stewart’s playing time was solid for a rookie behind an established duo, and PFF graded his overall performance at 69.1 (with a strong 74.0 pass-rush grade).

Yea I saw the pff stats. Thanks for giving more clarity to snap count and grade.
I know he may not be a ( point of attack guy) ,in the run game.
Hopefully he's as relentless in the Rams weight and conditioning room, as he is on the field.
If he is ,then IMHO, he has the look of a Mad Dog who is bursting at the seams.

 

[CoachAllred]

Definitely one of the core gameday 47's. Solid on special teams as well.

He's definitely the type of guy we need , one who showed flashes in the secondary and be a strong arm on ST's

 

[CoachAllred]

In no particular order, my breakout canidates are:

Terrance Ferguson
Josiah Stewart

Ferguson with a ridiculous 21.0 yds/rec average showed his potential
Stewart looked like a high effort OLB.....and perhaps his rookie performance made losing Verse for Garrett a bit more palpable.

If there are any other breakout players I hope they are from the receiving corp (Mumpfield, Whittington or Daniels) or RB room (Corum, Hunter).

Same top two as me and probably most of ROD.
Mumpfield is probably my favorite for the WR 3.
though Daniels a very interesting player.
Return game possibilities aside

I am hoping Hunter has been working hard on his pass protect and learning
the obviously very difficult in and outs of playing RB in McVay's system.

He fits the mold of a Rams RB, he is also the fastest top end back on the
team. Though, like any Ram back, Running around or running through
defenders is of no consequence to him. lol

 

[majrleaged]

I know that guys like Josaiah Stewart, Terranc Ferguson, Shaun Dolac, Braden Fiske, Desjuan Johnson, Tank McCollough, and Blake Corum (as well as Konata Mumpfield and Jarquez Hunter, to an extent) have all been mentioned, and all of them are excellent picks.

I'm picking two who haven't been mentioned yet (and may not break out, so much as get better):

Offense: Jordan Whittington. (Yes, I understand that a lot of people here see him as only a role player, but he's in his third year. The time to put up or the door is shut - and I think he could put up a lot of stats. He's done it before when Puka's gone down with an injury in his rookie year. He was also a solid kick returner in his rookie year, and I think that a better special teams coach than Blackburn could really unlock that side of him again. To have a receiver who can block well, receive more passes than one would think, do all of the little things well, and give you solid kick returns? That's a breakout pick for me.)

Defense: Kam Kinchens. (How in the hell has nobody mentioned Kinchens yet?! He's a helluva free safety, even with people blocking his way to playing time. He's one of the best ballhawks we have in the secondary. He's been basically healthy his whole career (hasn't missed a single game his whole career, including postseason). We're likely going to play Lake a lot at STAR, so Kinchens is going to play a lot. Like Whittington, he's in his third year, the year that most good players "get it". How the hell has he not a pick for a breakout player?)

Honorable mentions go to the Tys (Davis and Hamilton) on the D-line. Davis will continue his ascent as a run-stopper and a valuable member of the line, while Hamilton, I personally believe, will be much improved in his second year (as not everyone can contribute as a rookie).

I think Kinchens is a good sleeper pick. The addition of 2 CBs that can be relied on will free him up to take a few chances. And of course the improved pass rush will make all the back end better.

 

[Soul Surfer]

If there are any other breakout players I hope they are from the .......RB room (Corum, Hunter).

A breakout season for Hunter would be if they actually gave him a couple carries.

 

[Flatlyner]

Corum and Kinchens are my picks. I think both are pro bowl level talents. With the addition to the pass rush and secondary, Kinchens can shine and be in more advantageous positions. Corum is, I maintain, the best RB on the team. Not the best receiving back, just pure runner. Would love to see that he has improved in the receiving game also.

 

[JonRam99]

I am hoping Hunter has been working hard on his pass protect and learning
the obviously very difficult in and outs of playing RB in McVay's system.

He fits the mold of a Rams RB, he is also the fastest top end back on the
team. Though, like any Ram back, Running around or running through
defenders is of no consequence to him. lol

Yes I hope he's been working on, like, everything. Sad that he's our fastest RB...
This is the guy I was really pounding the table for the Rams to draft - 4.32 speed vs. 4.44 (Hunter) - but he went at pick 104 to the Jags, Hunter pick 117. Looks like he can do KR too:


View: https://youtu.be/uxGdFYKIkiY?si=8pB6gse6aKPcoYsf

Edit: guess I should pick a breakout player...
Dolac FTW. We kinda need him to breakout tbh.
Next on my list would be Corum, kid is poised to explode.