Which 2-3 Rookies are You Most Excited to See in the Preseason?

[oldnotdead]

I don’t see it with Smith. He doesn’t play that fast. He doesn’t have good body control and lacks flexibility.

He doesn’t accelerate nor change direction well. I think that 4.3 speed is deceiving.

You could be right but he returned kicks in college and seemed to do it well. His official 40 time was 4.48 which is pretty fast by any measure. His shuttle time was 4.16 which would have put him in the top 10 at the combine. The shuttle tests agility, change of direction and explosiveness. By the metrics we have on Smith he's slightly taller, faster (4.48 compared to 4.6) and as agile compared to Powell who was a solid performer as a returner for the Rams.

Who knows maybe the Rams let Powell go because Atwell has finally learned how to return kicks.

As far as being a receiver, Smith was very productive at FL AM. He could make it as a STs player who can provide backup as a returner if needed.

 

[WestCoastRam]

View: https://twitter.com/JimNagy_SB/status/1656304168087310336

 

[Merlin]

Well I'm most excited about all this fresh blood on both lines. Unfortunately predicting McVay here I would think Avila won't play in preseason. Young probably sits too.

So of the guys who should see plenty of work this preseason:

1. Bennett. To lock down that backup role he's going to need to show a little something. Rams undoubtedly will be all-in on getting him ready for the season, so by the first preseason game he should hopefully have a decent grasp of things. I'm expecting him to improve over the first three games and ideally he's deemed ready to go and they sit him for preseason game four.

2. Nacua. I have to think he's going to be featured big time in the preseason games. The guy is a big target like Kupp who can beat guys different ways, so if he can grasp the concepts quickly he will have the option route opportunities that can favor a guy with his skills. Hoping he and Bennett are in a groove together starting that first game because it would be nice to see some good offense in preseason.

3. Defensive front. This is cheating I realize. But I want to get a good look at all these young edge rushers and linemen. Rams can't sit all of them. Figure Young and Turner sit at a minimum, maybe a couple more besides, but that still leaves options to watch.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I don’t know if McVay will sit starters this preseason as much as in the past.

Don’t expect to see the vets (Stafford, Donald, Kupp, Havenstein and Higbee) but do expect to see some gameplay from most of the other projected starters.

In his first preseason, coming off a four-win-year, McVay did play guys to some extent … if I remember correctly.

It was beginning in Year 2 (2018), coming-off a playoff season, that McVay went with the “no starters play” approach; and that has just grown ever since.

Coming off a five-win-season, with so many new and inexperienced players expected to have significant roles, I could see a lot getting preseason game reps.

 

[JYB]

Young, Tomlinson and Bennett. But also looking forward to seeing Zach Evans and Hampton.

Preseason ought to tell us a whole lot about all of them. This might be the first time since 1999 that I've really looked forward to watching preseason games.

 

[dang]

Zach Evans and Nacua.

Evans is way more talented than his draft position so I don't see how he can't help but contribute and he appears to have a skill set that would help the offense.

Kinda can't help but think, at this point at least, Nacua is a poor-mans Kupp. Much like how I thought Kupp was a poor-mans Edelman when he came out.

So you’re saying Kupp being twice as good as Edelman means Nacua could be twice as good as Kupp?

 

[dang]

I am most excited about Avila and McClendon. Could you imagine all that prime beef in the middle with some formation of Avila, Bruss and McClendon? Maybe Jackson--McClendon-Avila-Bruss-Hav. I want our Oline to push defenders off the ball and to provide Stafford an extra second or two to find receivers. If they can do that, the Rams are going to score a lot of points.

Hope AJax Bruss Avila hit the ground running in 2023. McClendon sounds like a Hav successor. Add a stud LT in 2024 and off we go!!!!

 

[Tano]

1. Bennett. To lock down that backup role he's going to need to show a little something. Rams undoubtedly will be all-in on getting him ready for the season, so by the first preseason game he should hopefully have a decent grasp of things. I'm expecting him to improve over the first three games and ideally he's deemed ready to go and they sit him for preseason game four.

Didn't know they added back the 4th preseason game - just messing with ya

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Avila, Hampton, Nacua

 

[So Ram]

I'll go with Avila, Young and Tomlinson because the three greatest needs in my opinion were OL, Edge and CB; and those were the top-three players added at those three positions.

I’d have to totally agree with you,but with so many NEEDS & Draft Picks & UDRFA’s you’d have to add more.

Those 3 are THE CORE!!! If those are misses The Rams are screwed.That 2020 draft having T.Lewis & T.Burgees already cut HURTS!!! Like The Rams could have gotten Jalen Hurts. Always.

Adding Kobie Turner has to be there because Eric Henderson really liked him.

Warren McClendon - just because of need & size.Add leadership,winner,& ZERO sacks allowed in 2022. -could be a steal.

Zach Evans-only because of the trade up & helping solidify The RB depth chart.Cam is a FA & K.Williams in unproven. I’d say those 3 in the preseason should be FUN to watch.

 

[So Ram]

I’ll go Rypien!! He gets a chance to compete.The Rams kicked his AZZ last season,but dude has NFL experience & a couple weeks ahead of him.
I’m not giving Stenson Bennett The 2nd string QB by his draft status. He is The Rams 3rd string QB from my view as of NOW.Tomorrow he might have already earned it?

 

[den-the-coach]

I’ll go Rypien!! He gets a chance to compete.The Rams kicked his AZZ last season,but dude has NFL experience & a couple weeks ahead of him.
I’m not giving Stenson Bennett The 2nd string QB by his draft status. He is The Rams 3rd string QB from my view as of NOW.Tomorrow he might have already earned it?

FWIW everybody knows I am not the biggest fan of Bennett, but I like him much better then Rypien, however, Rypien is better then both Wolford & Perkins IMHO.

 

[Tano]

FWIW everybody knows I am not the biggest fan of Bennett, but I like him much better then Rypien, however, Rypien is better then both Wolford & Perkins IMHO.

I don't know what McVay saw in Wolford and Perkins but I would put those two as the worst back-ups in the NFL last year.

(I will say it would have been nice to put Perkins in behind Stafford as a wild cat option)

Not hard to upgrade that position with those standards.

 

[tomas]

I hate to disagree with the masses........Bennett.

The Edge players.....Hampton, Mathis and Johnson. Rams need to hit on at least one of them.

Evans at RB is an important watch.

---

Stetson Bennett reminds me a lot of Drew Brees but a better athlete. Bennett had a standout showing at the NFL Combine. He posted standout numbers and earned an 8.2 score from Ras Football, then impressed with his arm throwing passes to receivers.

 

[Tano]

2. Nacua. I have to think he's going to be featured big time in the preseason games. The guy is a big target like Kupp who can beat guys different ways, so if he can grasp the concepts quickly he will have the option route opportunities that can favor a guy with his skills. Hoping he and Bennett are in a groove together starting that first game because it would be nice to see some good offense in preseason.

What? You didn't like the low scoring preseason games in past seasons where we were lucky to get 2 TDs in a game - Blasphemy

 

[So Ram]

FWIW everybody knows I am not the biggest fan of Bennett, but I like him much better then Rypien, however, Rypien is better then both Wolford & Perkins IMHO.

Fair enough!! He still has to earn his keep. The cool thing is with all these young players I can see The Rams going 3-0 in the preseason. When was the last time they have been over .500 ?
—Both Wolford & Perkins got signed by NFL teams respectively.Don’t know what kind of fan that makes either of us.—Baker though was refreshing to see a Ram backup that could make all the throws.

 

[So Ram]

FWIW everybody knows I am not the biggest fan of Bennett, but I like him much better then Rypien, however, Rypien is better then both Wolford & Perkins IMHO.

Quarterback Brett Rypien talks signing with Rams, connection with wide receiver Cooper Kupp prior to joining team

 

[Tano]

Fair enough!! He still has to earn his keep. The cool thing is with all these young players I can see The Rams going 3-0 in the preseason. When was the last time they have been over .500 ?
—Both Wolford & Perkins got signed by NFL teams respectively.Don’t know what kind of fan that makes either of us.—Baker though was refreshing to see a Ram backup that could make all the throws.

Ehh - they are camp arms

However, Perkins might be a good wildcat option

 

[den-the-coach]

Quarterback Brett Rypien talks signing with Rams, connection with wide receiver Cooper Kupp prior to joining team

Brett Rypien is a pro's pro and I have no doubt that he will be good influence on Stetson Bennett too in all aspects of preparation & learning the offense. I also believe he will be a future coach in the league, but that being posted, he is limited athletically, has small hands and does not have the strongest arm, but he is a FOCP (friend of Cooper Kupp.)

 

[snackdaddy]

I'm looking forward to seeing Zach Evans. He's a guy who can compliment Akers with his ability to hit the hole quickly. I just hope we don't see any fumbles in preseason. Because that would likely send him to the bench. And on the inactive game day list.

If we don't see Avila in the preseason that would likely confirm his starter status. Or at least one of the first guys off the bench if someone goes down.

I'd like to see if Young and Hampton can be those edge guys we desperately need. I do expect Hoecht to be one starter on the edge. Unless they move him inside. Which would leave two spots wide open.