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While the Los Angeles Rams may be led by long-time veterans such as quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Davante Adams, they also have a good core of young players.
It's tough to stay competitive for multiple years in a row if you're not hitting on draft picks. Building through the draft not only gives teams affordable control of their players on rookie contracts, but they can also mold them to fit their strengths on the field and culture in the locker room.
Pro Football Focus released its annual list of ranking the top 25 players under the age of 25, and the Rams were one of just four teams with more than one player featured. Let's take a look at the two players who Los Angeles can built its roster around heading into the future.
No. 2: WR Puka Nacua
From PFF: "Nacua burst onto the scene in 2023 as a fifth-round rookie, making an immediate impact as a high-end target earner and elite receiving weapon for the Rams. He has yet to look back. Through two seasons, Nacua has delivered a 92.4 PFF receiving grade and 2.92 yards per route run — both of which lead all qualifying players for this list and rank second among all players overall during that span. Even though he missed time with injuries in 2024, Nacua made the most of his opportunities, leading the position in PFF receiving grade (92.6) and yards per route run (3.23) as 2024’s most efficient receiver."
Nacua also made this list in 2024, but came in at No. 12. Shooting up 10 spots despite missing time with injuries says a lot about his game. Part of the reason the Rams were comfortable trading Cooper Kupp was because they knew they have something special in Nacua. Still just 23-years-old, Nacua's best years may still be ahead of him.
No. 6: OLB Jared Verse
From PFF: "The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year finished the 2024 season with 89 quarterback pressures — the most in the league — and managed a top-10 PFF grade in all three major defensive categories for the position (overall, run defense and pass rush). Verse also generated the fifth-most PFF WAR (0.42) for his position, putting him in elite company alongside Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt. He didn’t finish as a league leader in the sack column, but that shouldn’t discount just how dominant he was on a play-to-play basis, evidenced by his top-10 PFF pass-rush grade and sixth-best win rate (19.7%) among defensive linemen."
Considering Verse is nowhere near a finished product, what he was able to accomplish as a rookie last season is incredible. The Rams couldn't have asked for a better scenario after losing the legendary Aaron Donald to retirement. Not only could Verse could have similar success in Year 2, but he will likely be even better.
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Insider Claims Steelers Are Furious With Former 2nd-Round Pick
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot to prove to fans and media pundits alike as a Week 3 contest against the New England Patriots approaches. One of the main concerns thus far has been the defensive front not being able to stop the run. Through two games, the unit has allowed 149.5 yards per game, which is an absolutely ridiculous number for a defense that is labeled as the highest-paid in the NFL. The organization won't have a chance to be competitive in an AFC full of firepower unless Teryl Austin's unit can figure out how to stop opposing offenses. An asterisk can be put next to the first two matchups because rookie first-round selection, Derrick Harmon, hasn't had the opportunity to play, but what has been the most worrisome has been the individuals filling in for him that haven't been able to perform at an encouraging level. One of those players is Keeanu Benton, a former second-round pick who has not blossomed into the player that the team wanted him to be. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo appeared on a practice report show with the Patriots game on the horizon, and went into some more detail about the defensive line. While the team is high on the other rookie in Yahya Black, Dulac noted that there are some real concerns internally about what has happened with Benton over the years. "The key is being able to be physical and be aggressive, but still being able to make the play, and that's what they're hoping to see from [Yahya] Black," Dulac said. "You know, they really like this guy and he's only going to improve in time. The converse of that Ray, and you mentioned Keeanu Benton, was told to me from inside the building, that they actually think he's regressed." There is not a single member of the Steelers' coaching staff or front office that can be pleased if the feeling is that Benton is getting worse. Spending a second-round selection on a member of the front seven on defense is supposed to provide stability, but it has done the exact opposite. It shouldn't surprise anyone if Benton begins to see the field less and less, while Black finds more opportunities to show that he should be playing more often. It's not time to hit the panic button yet in Pittsburgh, but many are very close to doing so. If the run defense continues to get shredded on the ground, there are not going to be many chances to stop any offense that is on the other side of the ball. The Steelers also preach winning the time of possession, something that will be extremely difficult to do if running backs are having their respective ways with Pittsburgh's front seven. It would be exciting to see Harmon and Black in action together. It's possible that they could be the future on the defensive line for the Steelers. Benton's regression can't be looked at as positive in any way, so Dulac's words hint at the very possible fact that the franchise is not happy with the University of Wisconsin graduate. Austin and co. won't tolerate a player getting worse, and then performing poorly on top of it. Steelers Won't Last In The AFC North With Poor Rushing Defense All teams within Pittsburgh's division have capable rushing attacks, even the Cleveland Browns now that rookie Quinshon Judkins is in the fold. It is imperative that the defense in the Steel City figures out how to stop the run, as it will lead to more passing attempts and a better chance to get to quarterbacks. It shouldn't come as a shock if Benton is soon watching from the sidelines more so than he is playing on the field.
Raiders' Pete Carroll admits disappointing truth about Ashton Jeanty
The Las Vegas Raiders had high hopes and expectations when they took Boise State phenom Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 pick in this year's draft. It's becoming increasingly rare to see running backs drafted so high, but after watching him post one of the single greatest seasons in college football history, he looked more than worthy of that honor. So far, however, the 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist has looked quite mortal in his first two games in the pros. Ashton Jeanty hasn't gotten off to a fast start in the NFL He logged 38 yards and one score in his NFL debut, and then logged just 43 yards on 11 carries in the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2. That's why Raiders head coach Pete Carroll had to admit that they needed to take things slowly with Jeanty. While he acknowledged that they hadn't done much to put Jeanty in a position to succeed, he remains optimistic about the RB's prospects. "We're just getting started (with Jeanty)," Carroll told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "He's breaking into the NFL. He's figuring it out. He'll get more carries. We have to run the ball more effectively. We only got (68 yards), and that's not enough. We need more than that. We're bringing (Jeanty) along. More will come." Ashton Jeanty knows he has to do better Jeanty is averaging 2.7 yards per attempt, which is a far cry from his 6.4 yards per carry in college. At least he knows he has to be better, and he believes it's just a matter of time before he gets used to the speed of the pros. "Last week it was on me, I didn't do a good job of reading the plays. I'll put it on myself again this week," Jeanty said. "Just getting used to the speed, honestly. Last week kind of felt like I was moving a little slower, this week felt better. Still not there yet, but once it happens, it will be good." Jeanty continued commenting on the situation on Wednesday. He didn't mince words. Jeanty has posted the fewest rushing yards (81) among players with at least 30 carries, and his next chance to turn the page will come in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders' beatable run defense.
Packers TE Tucker Kraft (knee) uncertain for Week 3
Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft has not missed a game since the Packers drafted him in the third round in 2023, but a knee injury may sideline the team's leading receiver on Sunday against the host Cleveland Browns. Kraft, 24, was added to the injury report after Thursday's practice and was getting looked at to determine the extent of the injury, according to multiple media reports. Per the reports, the Packers believe that he will not miss significant time. Green Bay (2-0) already is without a pair of wide receivers, leaving quarterback Jordan Love without key pieces of the passing game. Jayden Reed could return this season after breaking his collarbone last week against Washington and also undergoing foot surgery for a preseason injury. Christian Watson remains out after ACL surgery in January and is on the physically unable to perform list. Kraft, who posted 50 receptions for 707 yards and seven touchdowns while playing all 17 regular-season games in 2024, leads Green Bay this season with eight grabs for 140 yards and a pair of scores. Last Thursday, he notched his first 100-yard game with six catches for 124 yards and a score in a 27-18 home win over the Commanders. In his third NFL season, the native of Timber Lake, S.D., has compiled 89 receptions for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns in 36 regular-season games. Kraft also has 10 catches for 50 yards and one TD in three playoff games (all starts).
Marvin Harrison Jr. brushes off potential Cardinals controversy
Second-year Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. added some muscle weight during the offseason in an attempt to improve after he experienced an up-and-down rookie campaign. However, eyebrows were raised when he recorded just two receptions on five targets for 27 yards in Arizona's 27-22 win over the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Harrison poured cold water over the idea that he cares more about his stats than about the fact that the Cardinals opened the season with back-to-back wins. Marvin Harrison Jr. brushes off "silly conversation" "That’s a silly conversation, really," Harrison responded when asked about the number of passes thrown his way across the season's first two weeks, per Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. "We’re 2-0. That’s the most important thing. We’ve got a big game this week, so that’s really my only focus. Anybody that’s a competitor loves the game, loves what they do. Everybody wants the ball. They want to impact the game. But most importantly, it’s all about winning." Many expected Harrison would take a major leap this season after the fourth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft finished his debut pro campaign with 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. Thus far, that hasn't happened. In the Cardinals' 20-13 Week 1 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 7, he caught five of six targets for 71 yards and a score. ESPN stats show that second-year New York Giants star Malik Nabers tallied a league-high 25 targets over the first two weeks of the ongoing season. To compare, Harrison enters Week 3 with seven receptions on 11 targets for 98 yards and one touchdown. Marvin Harrison Jr. insists he's happy despite lack of targets "It’s always frustrating when you may not get the impact that you kind of want in the game, especially when you put in so much work," Harrison acknowledged. "I know my process throughout the week and all the work that I put in throughout all season and leading up to the game. When you don’t get the results that you want to impact the game, that kind of is frustrating. But at the end of the day, you’re very happy that we’re 2-0 sitting here and got a victory." Earlier in the week, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warned that his team must be better about finishing games after Arizona flirted with snatching defeat from the jaws of victory on two occasions. Perhaps part of that process will involve Murray targeting Harrison early and often during this coming Sunday's game at the 2-0 San Francisco 49ers.
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