Los Angeles Rams young defensive stud named one of most underappreciated playmakers in the NFL

Ever since Sean McVay took over as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, the Rams have been extraordinary at drafting players, consistently hitting on draft picks every year. 

In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Rams hit a home run with their first-round pick in pass rusher Jared Verse, but they hit a double with rookie defensive back Kamren Kinchens. 

Kinchens was named as one of the most underappreciated players in the NFL by NFL.com

"Blame the Underwear Olympics. Shoddy athletic testing at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine depressed the safety’s draft stock, allowing the Rams to scoop him up with the penultimate pick of Round 3. But the 4.65 40-yard dash didn’t prevent the rookie from picking off four passes -- and taking one 103 yards to the house. An instinctive ballhawk who grabbed 11 interceptions in his final two collegiate campaigns at Miami, Kinchens is further proof that play speed transfers quite nicely to the NFL. After all, Ed Reed ran a 4.57 40 in Indy, and he might be the greatest center fielder in league history."

Kinchens got off to a slow start to the season, but slowly took over the deep safety role in the defense, allowing Quentin Lake and Kamren Curl to play closer to the line of scrimmage. 

He wasn't perfect, but Kinchens was a key cog in the Rams' defense settling in the second half of the season, including a quality outing against the 49ers on Thursday Night Football that helped the Rams clinch the NFC West. 

As his route recognition and understanding of the defense grows, Kinchens has the ability to become a standout defensive back for the Rams and a leader for their secondary. For now, though, he gets to build off a rock-solid rookie season as another example of the quality drafting the Rams have done in recent years.