How big of an effect should special teams play have on the Rams opening roster?

Coordinator Chase Blackburn may have to replace 1500+ reps

History tells us that the Los Angeles Rams special teams (ST) play has gone steadily downhill under the Sean McVay regime. His 2017 maiden unit was ranked as the best in the NFL, but has since tumbled, eventually to 32nd (last place) in 2023. Last year, under new ST Coordinator Chase Blackburn, L.A. showed a modest improvement to 22nd.

Those numbers are according to Rick Gosselin, a 50-year NFL writer. Gosselin has put out yearly ratings of his own formula, based on 22 individual special teams metrics. Since 2017, the Rams have rated 1st, 9th, 20th, 30th, 16th, 29th, 32nd, and 22nd.

Coming in to the 2025 season, the Rams have moved on from some important pieces on ST and also have an extensive amount of reps on the bubble. Since ST play has generally been mediocre, wholesale replacements may or may not be a major problem. Although Blackburn did have the separate units playing somewhat better last year, he inherited a core of veterans and now, he must fill in what could easily be as many as 2000 ST reps.

Lost (1228 reps)

LB Jake Hummel 338

TE Hunter Long 263

LB Christian Rozeboom 184

E Michael Hoecht 163

The Rest 280

Bubble (1268 reps)

RB Ronnie Rivers 248

CB Josh Wallace 235

E Nick Hampton 230

CB Charles Woods 169

WR Xavier Smith 161

The Rest 225

Who’s gonna fill their shoes?

One area the Rams won’t need an upgrade is in their specialists. Placekicker Josh Karty had a solid rookie season, converting 85.3% of field goals (FG) and 89% of extra points (XP). Ethan Evans transitioned from an uncontrolled boomer as rookie to a very good positional punter in Year 2. He should continue to improve as the holder and on kickoffs. Longsnapper Alex Ward is not quite the downfield tackling weapon Jake McQuaid was, but his snaps are near automatic.

Returning (1937 reps)

LB Omar Speights 266

S Jaylen McCollough 257

RB Blake Corum 186

WR Jordan Whittington 172

S Camron Kinchens 117

The Rest 939

Offensive and defensive line – Not much support needed here. The biggest part of those 939 “the rest” snaps belong to interior linemen on blocking or rushing FGs and XPs. The Rams return their Top 7 on offense and the defense only needs to replace the combined 100 snaps of Bobby Brown and Neville Gallimore.

Running back – Will McVay roster four and keep Rivers around for special teams? Kyren Williams has few returns, but nothing else. Jarquez Hunter doesn’t bring a ST history from college. Blake Corum had plenty of reps (186) as a rookie, but two of his last three seasons have ended with injury.

Wide receiver – Last year’s primary punt returner, Xavier Smith (161) was also a gunner on punt coverage second on the team in special teams tackles, but the Rams did bring in three receivers with return experience. Should the Rams want to give Jordan Whittington (172) bigger ST responsibilities to go along with his WR#4 and primary kickoff returner duties?

Edge – The now-departed Michael Hoecht was a versatile piece on ST. His replacement numbers fall on Josiah Stewart, but it remains to be seen if the rookie can be as moveable around formations. Nick Hampton (230) is coming off an injury and could be locked in a roster battle with Brennan Jackson (56) and Keir Thomas (14).

Tight end – L.A. should roster four and with the departure of Hunter Long (263), it will likely be up to Davis Allen (116) and Colby Parkinson (66) to fill his reps. Both probably do fine work on returns, but only combined for two tackles in coverage last year. Tyler Higbee (0) hasn’t done much on special teams since 2021 and Round 2 rookie Terrance Ferguson has yet to show what he’s got in the tank.

Off-ball linebacker – Here’s where L.A. could sop up ST snaps. To go along with Omar Speights (266), rookies Chris Paul and Shaun Dolac have the athleticism, tackling chops, and aggressive attitude to be of value on ST while competing for defensive play time. Veterans Troy Reeder and Nate Landman have ST pasts.

Secondary – While the Rams have a handful of safeties who could be of value, the cornerbacks are different story. Darious Williams (0) hasn’t been a deep contributor on ST since 2019 and it’s the same for Ahkello Witherspoon (22). Out all last year, Derion Kendrick averaged six ST reps per game in his first two seasons. Fighting minor injuries in all three pro seasons, can Cobie Durant (65) realistically be expected to make a huge jump in snaps? Safety Jaylen McCollough (257) should become a stalwart in Year 2, as should Kamren Kinchens (117). Interestingly, Kamren Curl (35) has not been a major ST contributor since his 2020 rookie year. Will Quentin Lake (92) see his ST work increase or decrease in a contract year?

Depending on how the roster shakes out, Nick Hampton (230) and Ronnie Rivers (248) could return on their special teams prowess. Charles Woods (169) as well, particularly if the corner room has training camp injury problems. There’s a few wildcards too. The Rams have a handful of undrafted rookies with college special teams experience and possess enough athleticism and attitude to do the work. We’ll get to see plenty of them in preseason games.

My 2025 ST core

LB Omar Speights

LB Shaun Dolac

LB Chris Paul

S Jaylen McCollough

CB Josh Wallace

TE Davis Allen

E Brennan Jackson

S Kamren Kinchens

PR/gunner Xavier Smith

KR#1 Jordan Whittington

PK Josh Karty

P Ethan Evans

LS Alex Ward

Final thoughts

Special teams ability has to be considered when setting an opening roster. They may very well be those last few bottom of the roster additions, but considered just the same. Good ones can be on the field for 300+ snaps, as much as a rotational offensive/defensive player and sterling special teams plays can have a huge impact on games.