The rookies for the Los Angeles Rams have played a big part in the team remaining in the NFC West hunt.
Although the team is one game under .500 at 5-6, the Rams are tied with San Francisco and a game back of both Seattle and Arizona in the divisional race.
Entering Week 13, the Los Angeles Rams hold the No. 10 spot in the NFC Playoff picture. Los Angeles has the same record as Tampa Bay, which sits at No. 9 and is ahead of the Rams due to having a better win percentage in NFC games. The Cardinals sit at No. 8 with Washington in the No. 7 spot with a 7-5 record.
Los Angeles’ first-year players have had an immediate impact, including first- and second-round picks, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, who were both teammates last year at Florida State.
Earlier this week, Bleacher Report re-ranked the top 10 draft classes from all 32 organizations.
The Rams were one of 11 teams to earn an “A-” grade or better from Bleacher Report after the conclusion of the draft back in April.
Here is why Bleacher Report re-ranked the Rams at No. 2 in their updated draft class rankings.
The Pre-Draft Goal Was Set And Has Come To Fruition
The main focus of last year’s draft was a mix of two things.
First, about seven weeks prior to the draft, Aaron Donald announced his retirement from the NFL. Second, this was going to be Los Angeles’ first first-round pick in eight years when it drafted quarterback Jared Goff first overall.
Having six quarterbacks go off the board in the first 12 picks took away the pressure of needing to move up, leading to drafting defensive lineman Jared Verse 19th overall.
So far this year, Verse has elevated his play by putting his name in the NFC Defensive Rooke of the Year conversation, with his pressure consistency rate and 4.5 sacks.
As a result of Donald’s retirement, the next goal was to establish the defensive line. That is when the Rams selected defensive tackle Braden Fiske in the second round.
Fiske has two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and leads all rookies with six sacks in 11 games this season.
He joined Shaquille Leonard as the only player since 2000 to record at least 6.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries through a player’s first 11 career games, according to the Los Angeles Rams’ PR account on X.
The tweet also included that Fiske surpassed Byron Young last year, Donald in 2014, and Robert Quinn in 2011 for the most sacks by a Rams player through their first 11 career games.
That second-round value has provided a 1-2 defensive punch from the draft and immediately on the playing field.
Related: Grading the Los Angeles Rams Top 5 Offseason Acquisitions
The Los Angeles Rams Re-Rank Is Impacted By Depth
As much as Verse and Fiske provide value at the top of the draft class, the rest of the picks have also played critical roles for the Rams.
Its third-round draft pick of safety Kamren Kinchens has played a valuable role, as he has worked his way up the depth chart into a starting role.
Kinchens has three interceptions in his last four games, including a 103-yard pick-six in the overtime win in Seattle when he had two interceptions.
In addition, Bleacher Report gave credit to General Manager Les Snead and the staff for finding depth later in the draft.
Primarily looking at the sixth round, the team drafted defensive tackle Tyler Davis, who is part of the D-Line rotations. Kicker Joshua Karty has played a big role on special teams. Wide receiver Jordan Whittington was a third player drafted in the sixth round and has played a significant role on offense and special teams, when healthy.
Offensive lineman Beaux Limmer was the Rams’ fourth sixth-round pick last April. Due to injuries around him, he has stepped up into being the starting center for quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Related: Scouts Identify Perfect Los Angeles Rams Free Agent Addition For 2025
Who Was Higher Than The Los Angeles Rams?
Just one team was higher than the Los Angeles Rams in the Washington Commanders. Their draft class is highlighted by taking quarterback Jayden Daniels second overall.
Washington has a rookie D-Line piece of their own in tackle Jer’Zhan Newton, who has emerged as a starter. However, Newton, a second-round pick does not have the numbers that are comparable to Fiske, who was selected three spots behind Newton.
There are other players on the Commanders that are rookie starters, including cornerback Mike Sainristil, and tight end Ben Sinnott, who were both drafted in the second round.
However, there is the case that Snead put together the best draft class with players not only from the first couple of rounds but also in the back half of the draft, finding talent and value.
Also read: Dear Los Angeles Rams, It is Officially Time To Blow It Up