After a great start to the year in Week 1, the Los Angeles Rams have stumbled in their last two games. They couldn’t take down the powerhouse 49ers in Week 2 and on Monday night, the Bengals snuck out a 19-16 win over the Rams – a game Los Angeles had several chances to win.
As frustrating as their 1-2 start has been, there are bright spots on both sides of the ball on this young roster. The Rams’ rookie class, which was a near-record 14 players deep, has stepped up and contributed in a meaningful way.
Buy Rams TicketsOn offense, Puka Nacua and Steve Avila have looked like future Pro Bowlers for Los Angeles. Nacua has 30 catches in his first three games, ranking second in the NFL behind only Keenan Allen. His 338 yards are the fourth-most and his 42 targets lead all players this season.
Avila had a little bit of a rough outing against the Bengals on Monday night, but he has a 56.2 grade this season and despite allowing nine total pressures, he’s been a positive addition to the offensive line thus far. It doesn’t help that both Alaric Jackson and Zach Thomas struggled badly next to him on Monday night, making his job even tougher on the interior.
He’s made a handful of blocks that no guard for the Rams would’ve made last year, including one against the Bengals on a screen to Kyren Williams where he ran about 15 yards to take a defender out of the play.
This two-level block by Avila on Williams’ touchdown last week was particularly good, too.
kyRAN right in for the touchdown!@Kyrenwilliams23 📺 @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/rTOuAMwRR6
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 17, 2023
Defensively, the Rams have to be thrilled with their top two picks on that side of the ball: Byron Young and Kobie Turner. According to Pro Football Focus, Turner’s defensive grade of 76.9 ranks eighth among all rookies in the NFL this season, and Young ranks 10th with a grade of 74.7.
Young’s 13 total pressures through three games are the second-most of any rookie, ahead of No. 3 overall pick Will Anderson Jr., who has 11 pressures for the Texans. Young’s three sacks (based on PFF’s numbers) are the second-most among rookies, too, while Turner is tied for third in that category.
Young’s six pressures are the sixth-most overall among rookies and third for all rookie defensive tackles, behind only Jalen Carter and Bryan Bresee, two first-round picks.
On the Rams, only Aaron Donald has a higher overall grade on defense than Turner and Young. They’ve both had a significant impact defensively in their first three games and the most encouraging part? They seem to be getting better by the week. Young had five pressures against the Bengals and a career-best 85.8 grade, while Turner had three total pressures (career-high) and split a sack with Donald.
GOT 'EM.
📺 @ESPNNFL #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/3TNuUZmF4h
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 26, 2023
The Rams have a lot to clean up in the coming weeks, but they’ve got four rookies they can build around moving forward, and that has to excite both Sean McVay and Les Snead.
