The Los Angeles Rams are building something special — and they’re doing it through the draft. Two of the franchise’s brightest young stars, wide receiver Puka Nacua and edge rusher Jared Verse, were named to Pro Football Focus‘ “Top 25 NFL Players Under 25” list, affirming the Rams’ reputation as one of the league’s smartest talent-developing teams.
Nacua landed at No. 2, trailing only Detroit’s Penei Sewell. A 2023 fifth-round pick, Nacua has quickly become a cornerstone of the Rams’ offense. “He burst onto the scene in 2023… and has yet to look back,” wrote PFF’s Jonathon Macri. Over his first two seasons, Nacua posted a staggering 92.4 receiving grade and 2.92 yards per route run — both leading all qualifying players on the list. Despite missing time in 2024 due to injury, he led all receivers in PFF grade (92.6) and yards per route run (3.23), cementing himself as the league’s most efficient pass catcher.
Nacua is one of the finest young talents in the NFL. The 23-year-old Los Angeles Rams wide receiver isn’t planning on growing old in the league, however. Nacua, speaking recently on the “Join The Lobby” podcast, let it be known that he’s likely got seven seasons remaining before he calls it a career.
Los Angeles Rams’ Future Is Now: Puka Nacua, Jared Verse Among NFL’s Elite Under 25
“I know I want to retire at the age of 30,” Nacua said. “I’m 23 right now, I’m going into Year 3.”
Nacua cited former teammate Aaron Donald’s decision to retire while still playing at an elite level and his hope to be able to enjoy having a big family as the reasoning.
On the defensive side, Jared Verse came in at No. 6 and was the top-ranked defensive lineman. After the retirement of Aaron Donald, Verse’s emergence as a disruptive force couldn’t have been timelier. The 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year led the NFL with 89 quarterback pressures and ranked in the top 10 in PFF grades for overall defense, run defense, and pass rush. His 19.7% pass-rush win rate and 0.42 PFF WAR placed him alongside elite names like Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt.
With longtime veterans like Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams steering the ship, the Rams’ infusion of young talent — especially Nacua and Verse — positions them as serious contenders in the years ahead. In L.A., the future isn’t coming. It’s already here.
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