Los Angeles Rams Draft Aftermath: Can They Answer the Three Remaining Questions?

By most accounts, the Los Angeles Rams have knocked the 2024 Draft out of the park. They added starters and depth to an ailing defense and gained a running back to take the weight off Kyren William’s shoulders. But questions remain about different players and position groups.

Uncertainty at Cornerback

The Rams didn’t use draft capital to expand the backroom. Instead, they focused on building the group based on free will, but failed to find long-term solutions. Tre’David White has a one year deal to prove you are elite/healthy. Darious Williams signed a three-year contract, but the normal age-related concerns arose as he turned 31 years old.

The Rams have invested heavily in the position in recent years. They’ve deployed six lines of defense over the past three years in an effort to find answers. While Cobie Durant And Russian Gist turned out to be worthy of the 1st team, Quentin Lake and Darion Kendrick are still finding their roles on the defense, and Tre’Vious Tomlinson is still a mystery.

Right now, the pressure is at its highest for Lake and Kendrick to develop into needle movers. They will need to transition from role players to legitimate starters to ensure success beyond 2024.

Los Angeles rams defensive coaching into a post-Aaron Donald World

Raheem Morris earned a promotion and took Jimmy Lake with him. Eric Henderson left to coach USC’s defense. Chris Shula was promoted and 2024 will be his first time as defensive coordinator. And he will be asked to perform a miracle without Aaron Donald.

Both Morris and Henderson were masters at developing talent and making the most of an undermanned defense last season. Shula will have to prove he can do the same with a better-resourced but still young defense, especially along the defensive line, which lacks a significant veteran presence.

The Rams added four rookies in this draft, two of whom are expected to start Week 1; Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. Kobie Turner flashed in his rookie season, but he had the advantage of being able to work with Henderson and alongside Donald. Bobby Brown is entering its fourth season, but has never earned a starting role.

Long-term WR plan

Half of the Rams’ current receiver room will no longer be under contract after 2025. Kuiper KuppHis contract runs through 2026, but he will be 31 years old at the start of the season and has struggled to stay healthy over the past two seasons, missing 12 games.

The Rams drafted just one wide receiver in the 2024 draft, a six-rounder, Texas’ Jordan Whittington. While there are some interesting benefits, he’s still a long way from earning a starting job.

What was once the jewel of the Rams team could quickly become the team’s biggest need.