Rams stock up, stock down: Kam Kinchens shows play-making ability

The Los Angeles Rams have climbed their way back to .500 after a 1-4 start. It didn’t come easy as the Rams had to come back from a 13-3 deficit on the road against the Seattle Seahawks and win in overtime. Aaron Donald may not have been on the field, but that didn’t stop the Rams defense from wreaking havoc against the Seahawks. Rookies Braden Fiske and Jared Verse had impressive performances while Kam Kinchens recorded his first two career interceptions. Here is this week’s stock up, stock down.

Stock Up: S Kam Kinchens

Going back to the offseason, there hasn’t been a lot of talk with Kam Kinchens despite him being one of the more exciting picks in the draft. He had 11 interceptions at Miami and there was a lot of excitement around his potential to bring that to the Rams. However, early in the season he didn’t look comfortable in space and tended to take bad angles in the run game. That’s an area of his game where he still needs to improve.

With that said, Kinchens displayed some of his play-making ability on Sunday against the Seahawks. The rookie safety had two interceptions in the red zone, including a 103-yard interception return for a touchdown. The potential is clearly there and he should only get better with more experience as he gains confidence.

Stock Down: Rams cornerbacks

Despite the Rams getting good play out of the safeties, the cornerbacks continue to give up too many big plays and leave a lot to be desired. They started the game against the Seahawks with sticky coverage. However, towards the end of the half when Geno Smith was forced to throw, they gave up way too many explosive plays. It wasn’t just one player either as Ahkello Witherspoon, Darious Williams, and Cobie Durant were all to blame.

The Rams have done what they can at the position this year. They went for veteran experience in Williams and Tre White. They then signed Witherspoon after White didn’t work out. Durant remains too inconsistent to be a full-time player in the defense. Sunday made it clear that the Rams have to properly address the position group this offseason.

Stock Up: DL Braden Fiske

Braden Fiske picked a great game to have his coming out party in the NFL. Fiske was part of three sack contributions and also forced another with a pressure. He was an unstoppable force along the Rams defensive line.

Following the draft, there was a lot of discussion that the Rams gave up too much or overpaid to go up and get Fiske. While that may have been true at the time, if Fiske continues to play like this, the draft capital given up to go get him is going to be an afterthought.

Stock Down: Interior Offensive Line

The Rams need one of Steve Avila or Jonah Jackson to return to the lineup. While Justin Dedich has stepped in admirably at left guard, it’s obvious why he is simply a depth piece. Kevin Dotson hasn’t been as good in pass protection this year as he was last season. Additionally, Beaux Limmer has played well, but his inexperience at center shows when teams bring pressure.

Throughout the game, the Rams were not able to get any push on the interior in the run game. They consistently lost that battle and with other quarterbacks not named Matthew Stafford, it may have cost them the game. This group has played well in moments, but the Rams need to get healthy here.

Stock Up: WR Demarcus Robinson

Following a slow start to the season, Demarcus Robinson has picked up right about the same time he did last year. With Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp back healthy, Robinson has been able to be more of the complementary player that he. His connection with Matthew Stafford shows up in the important spots and that was clear on the touchdown in overtime in which the Rams quarterback trusted Robinson to win in that situation.

Robinson has four touchdowns over the last two weeks, to bring his season total to five which is a career-high. He became just the fifth Rams receiver in the Super Bowl era to have mutliple receptions touchdowns in back-to-back games.