What to know about the Los Angeles Rams' newest ballhawk, Kamren Kinchens

The Los Angeles Rams utilized their fourth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft to add their third defensive player of this cycle, selecting Miami safety Kamren Kinchens with the No. 99 overall pick.

This makes for the third defensive pick the Rams have made, with Michigan running back Blake Corum the only offensive player the team has added to this point.

With this, the Rams' picks heading into Day 3 look like this:

Round 1, No. 19: Florida State EDGE Jared Verse

Round 2, No. 39: Florida State DT Braden Fiske

Round 3, No. 83: Michigan RB Blake Corum

Round 3, No. 99: Miami S Kamren Kichens

Here's a look into what to know about Kinchens, the newest member of the Rams:

1. Kinchens made Hurricane history.

Kinchens earned plenty of recognition for his accomplishments at Miami, becoming the first member of the Hurricanes to record at least 10 career interceptions since Sean Taylor did it between 2001 and 2003. Ed Reed is the only other defensive back in Miami history to accomplish the same feat.

Kinchens finished out his career with 162 combined tackles (99 solo), 11 interceptions and 1 sack.

2. Kinchens will have the ability to start instantly.

Kinchens is a player who could immediately slide into the starting lineup for the Rams secondary, though he's still got some development to do. Kinchens has impressed scouts with his ballhawking ability and pure football instincts, but top end speed is a concern. He posted a 4.60 time in the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day.

How that affects him at the next level will be something to keep an eye on.

3. Kinchens led all safeties in coverage grade for 2022.

Kinchens has impressed by the numbers in several ways, and one of those is his PFF coverage grade of 90.7. That was good for best among all safeties that season. 

It was also during that season that he recorded what's widely considered to be the strongest performance of his career with 8 tackles and 3 interceptions -- including a 99-yard pick-six -- against Georgia Tech.