Ten picks were utilized by the Rams in late April to build this year’s draft class. Some have had an early impact, but others have progressed into larger roles as a result of injuries sustained on the field or have mostly made contributions on special teams. These are the results of those choices through the first five weeks of the season. OLB Jared Verse (number 19 overall, Round 1) Verse has started all five of Los Angeles’ games so far this season, contributing at least 66% of the team’s defensive snaps while recording 22 total tackles (5 for loss), four quarterback hits, and one sack. Based on NFL Next Gen Stats, his quarterback pressure percentage of 18.5% going into Week 6 is the fourth-highest in the league, behind only Myles Garrett (20.5) of Cleveland, Trey Hendrickson (18.4) of Cincinnati, Danielle Hunter (19.5) of Houston, and Will McDonald IV of the New York Jets (21.0). As the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September, he received league-wide recognition for his performance during the first four weeks of the season. DE Braden Fiske (number 39 overall, round two) In the Rams’ first five games, Fiske has started every one of them. He has racked up 17 total tackles, including two for loss, one forced fumble, and one sack. In those games, he has participated in at least 51% of their defensive snaps. With a quarterback pressure percentage of 14.2% going into Week 6, he ranks 18th in the league. RB Blake Corum (number 83 overall, round three) Corum had not played much in the running back rotation until Week 5; according to head coach Sean McVay, he had eight carries for 28 yards toward the conclusion of the Rams’ 41-10 road loss to the Cardinals in Week 2 in an attempt to keep quarterback Matthew Stafford from taking any more hits. He got five carries for 25 yards against the Packers, raising his season total to 13 carries for 53 yards. In addition, he has 115 yards on four kickoff returns, or 28.75 yards per return. His playing time has mostly been spent on special teams thus far; he has played in that phase 56 times, compared to 19 on offense. S Kam Kinchens, No. 99 overall in Round 3. After suffering a shoulder injury in Week 3 against the 49ers, Kinchens was able to play a larger role thanks to John Johnson III. In Week 4 against the Bears, he played 63% of the defensive snaps for the Rams. But he did not play a defensive snap in Week 5 as the Rams made some personnel changes to the secondary for their game against the Packers on Sunday. As a reserve, Kinchens has participated in four games thus far and amassed 13 total tackles.
OLB Brennan Jackson (position 154 overall, Round 5) For the first five games of the Rams season, Jackson has not played. After overcoming a soft tissue injury suffered in the latter half of training camp, he made an appearance in the preseason finale versus the Texans. DT Tyler Davis (position 196 overall, Round 6). With the exception of Week 2’s game against the Cardinals, Davis has played in four of the Rams’ first five games and has five total tackles. His playing time has fluctuated; thus far, he has participated in as many as 30% (Week 3) and as few as 12% (Week 5) of Los Angeles’ defensive snaps. However, he has only played with that unit. K Joshua Karty (position 209 overall, Round 6) Karty has been dependable for Los Angeles’ special teams, making 9 out of 10 field goals (out of 52) and 7 out of 8 extra point tries. WR Round 6: Jordan Whittington, No. 213 overall Due to early-season injuries to Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, Whittington was first used primarily on special teams. However, in recent weeks, Whittington has been given more opportunities to play wide receiver. He participated in 92% of the offensive snaps for the Rams last week against the Packers and 97% against the Bears in Week 4. In those two games, he caught seven passes for 89 yards and six passes for 62 yards, respectively. Whittington, who has 18 catches for 201 yards, has started the previous two games for Los Angeles and has participated in the first five total. OL Beaux Limmer (number 217 overall, Round 6). Like Whittington, Limmer was forced into a bigger role for his rookie campaign due to ailments within his position group. He has started for the Rams as center since Jonah Jackson’s shoulder issue from training camp flared up again in Week 2. Limmer, who has only allowed nine pressures in 165 throw snaps, has the eighth-lowest pressure rate (less than MNF) among all rookies, according to The 33rd Team. He gave up just one on 48 pass snaps in Week 5. OL KT Leveston (No. 254 overall, Round 7) Leveston was placed on injured reserve before the 53-man roster cutdown due to a preseason ankle injury; he is still on IR and has not played in a game this season.
