PFF grades: 3 rookies headline defense versus Saints

Omar Speights, Jared Verse, and Kamren Kinchens were the three-highest graded Rams defenders

There’s no such thing as an ugly win in the NFL. While the Los Angeles Rams were unable to string much offensive production together over the first half, Matthew Stafford and the passing game came alive in the final two quarters. A stingy performance by the defense held the New Orleans Saints to just 14 points.

It surely wasn’t pretty, but the Rams are 6-6 and just one game behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West divisional race. Three of their last five games will come against division foes, and the most important games have yet to be played.

Who stood out in New Orleans according to Pro Football Focus (PFF)? Let’s take a look at their game grades.

Top five grades on offense:

1 – Kevin Dotson, RG: 90.9

Dotson seems to be the highest-graded player on the Rams offense week in and week out. The veteran didn’t allow a pressure in this game, and he’s on a three-game streak of not allowing a pressure that dates all the way back to Week 11 versus the New England Patriots.

2 – Puka Nacua, WR: 83.7

The second-year receiver led LA in yardage and scored one of their two passing touchdowns. Nacua finished with five catches on eight targets for 56 yards.

His average depth of target (ADOT) was just 5.5 yards in this game. The touchdown came on a screen pass, and 44 of his 56 yards came after the catch point. That measure alone would rank second in receiving this week behind only Demarcus Robinson at 49 yards.

3 – Matthew Stafford, QB: 83.4

Stafford finished with two big-time throws and kept the ball out of harm’s way with no turnover-worthy plays. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 183 yards and two scores. PFF credited Rams receivers with a drop, and tracked one hit as thrown with two throwaways. That brings Stafford’s adjusted completion percentage to 71.4%, up dramatically from his raw rate of 58.3%.

The second half was well-called by Sean McVay. Both of LA’s touchdowns can be attributed to scheme, as well as the offense’s longest pass of the game to Robinson.

4 – Rob Havenstein, RT: 78.6

Havenstein hadn’t played since the Week 9 road trip to Seattle. He returned in this game and provided a big boost to the ground attack. He allowed a single pressure in pass protection.

It was good to see the reliable Havenstein re-join the lineup and pick up where he left off.

5 – Kyren Williams, RB: 75.0

After allowing four pressures in pass protection last week versus the Philadelphia Eagles, Williams earned a pass blocking grade of just 17.7 with another pressure in this game. If pass protection is the reason why Williams is playing over Blake Corum, that argument is beginning to make less and less sense.

Other notes on offense:

This was a rough outing for rookie center Beaux Limmer. Limmer finished with a pass blocking grade of just 5.2 and allowed a team-leading two pressures.

While one bad game is not enough to make the Rams go back to Jonah Jackson at center, it’s worth tracking as the offensive line returns to full health and the team is still in the playoff hunt. Could LA plug in the veteran for a boost in the final weeks, or will they roll with the rookie to invest in his development short-term and long-term?

Top five grades on defense:

1 – Omar Speights, MLB: 94.1

Most impressive was Speights’ coverage grade of 92.4. He allowed four receptions on five targets for just nine yards and recorded a pass breakup that easily could have been an interception. The rookie UDFA was a monster against the run and notched seven run stops.

Speights brought a physicality to the middle of the defense that has been missing at times this season.

2 – Jared Verse, OLB: 89.6

Verse led LA with six pressures. The defense finished with 14 in this game. The rookie phenom was also tied for second in run stops with three, those pale in comparison to Speights’ total.

3 – Kamren Kinchens, DB: 81.4

Kinchens brought some big hits from the secondary. He’s an opportunistic defender and is always looking to either make a play on the ball or bring a crushing hit.

The rookie safety was targeted three times, allowing three completions for only 10 yards and a passer rating of 80.6.

This makes three rookies atop the defensive PFF grades this week. Top four if you go back to last year’s draft class and include Kobie Turner.

4 – Kobie Turner, DT: 79.4

Turner was second to Verse with three pressures. He also notched a run stop.

Turner missed two tackles which is anchoring down his grade from this game. His PFF tackling grade was just 21.7, which is the worst on the defense this week.

5 – Quentin Lake, DB: 71.9

Lake was targeted five times and allowed three receptions for 21 yards.

His most important contributions came in the run game where he earned a mark of 80.1 and recorded two run stops.

Other notes on defense:

This wasn’t rookie Braden Fiske’s best game. The second round pick returned a potential fumble for a touchdown before it was ultimately reversed and called an incomplete pass. PFF credited Fiske with only a single pressure and a lowly run defense grade of 40.3.

CB Darious Williams allowed three catches on six targets for 53 yards and a touchdown.