Los Angeles Rams supporters have some time to think ahead to the upcoming season as training camp draws near, and among the many important concerns on their minds is roster talent. It is always the most important factor, especially when you consider that since 2017, when Les Snead and Sean McVay took over, Los Angeles has been effective in assembling players of various skill levels into a competitive team.
Though there’s always going to be disagreement, the Rams seem to be gradually strengthening their roster overall, especially when it comes to draft picks.
Reviews for 2024 and Los Angeles’ first Round 1 selection since 2016 have been praised for being strong. Five full-time starters (G Steve Avila, E Byron Young, DT Kobie Turner, WR Puka Nacua, P Ethan Evans), as well as a backup (TE Davis Allen) who played a solid rotational role, were provided from the 2023 group. Starting running back Kyren Williams (a member of the second team All-Pro) and rotational/part-time starters S Quentin Lake, CB Derion Kendrick, and S Russ Yeast were available in 2022.
Draft position is a predictor of excellent NFL play, even though it is not the ultimate factor in determining NFL success. Since 2012, more than 50% of AP All-Pros have been chosen in Rounds 1 and 2, and when Round 3 is taken into account, the percentage rises to over 60%.
The Rams’ 2024 post-OTA roster, draft position, and journey to Los Angeles are shown here. The initial roster is shown in bold, and the roster presently numbers 89 players. It is merely a replication of the same conservative grouping presented in a May TST roster post; it is far too early to be a firm projection.
Les Snead is continuously changing the way the Rams put together their roster, but he never lets go of his “riverboat gambler” mentality. He has no problem using draft resources as an enticement to grab a player that the braintrust is after. Snead has generally provided Sean McVay with the offensive components to keep the offense clicking over the years, regardless of system changes, through the draft. In the past, defenses have primarily been constructed around trades and Aaron Donald, but in 2024, Chris Shula, the new defensive coordinator, will have access to a wealth of youthful talent to work with.
There’s no denying that L.A. is willing to employ a “revolving door” approach under Snead and McVay. Whether a player is drafted, traded for, or signed in free agency, the pair is quite at ease replacing out-of-favor players (for whatever reason). There are no assurances once the original contract ends, even though the Rams have placed a high percentage of their drafted rookies on the roster (87% since 2017) and given them developmental time. This 2024 squad does contain some NFL veterans, as has always been the case, but only four of them have played for the Rams for five or more seasons. The Rams have a brief “use-by” date.
