ESPN ranks Rams 18th in under-25 rankings
Over the past two years, the Los Angeles Rams have done a good job replenishing older talent with a younger core of players to oversee the next era. This is a team that went from Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Floyd, and Cooper Kupp to Puka Nacua, Jared Verse, and Kobie Turner.
The front office’s ability to draft young talent is a big reason for the team’s success in recent years. Following the “F Them Picks” era, many expected the Rams to fall apart given the lack of draft capital. The only way the Rams were going to sustain success and dig themselves out of that hole was to find success in the draft.
That’s exactly what they did, finding Puka Nacua and Kobie Turner later in the draft. When Aaron Donald retired, the Rams were able to replace him with another special defensive talent in Jared Verse. It’s that core of players that is going to help the Rams push for a champinoship at the end of the Matthew Stafford era and then allow them to sustain success after it.
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz recently ranked each team’s under-25 talent. Coming in at 18th was the Rams. Said Schatz,
“The top two young talents on the Rams’ roster are two of the best young talents in the league, period. Nacua won’t turn 25 until next May, and last year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year Verse turns 25 in November. However, note that Verse’s fellow ex-Florida State running mate from the class of 2024, Fiske, is already 25 years old. There is some more young talent here, too. Center Beaux Limmer is 24 years old, as is linebacker Omar Speights, who started 10 games as an undrafted free agent rookie in 2024. Safety Kamren Kinchens turns 23 near the end of September. The Rams did not have a first-round pick in the 2025 draft, but second-round tight end Terrance Ferguson will likely be a starter at age 22 and third-round edge Josaiah Stewart is also 22.”
This is a huge drop off from last season in which the Rams came in at number eight. The methodology for the ranking was based on a combination of factors ranging from starts/snaps, quality of play, contract value, and the importance of the position. Still 18th seems a little low. That’s especially considering teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Carolina Panthers came in ahead of them.
The Rams are no longer one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, coming in at number 16. With that said, they do have two of the most talented players under 25 on each side of the ball in Nacua and Verse. Here is a list of the Rams’ significant players under the age of 25:
- TE Terrance Ferguson
- S Kam Kinchens
- LB Omar Speights
- WR Puka Nacua
- iOL Beaux Limmer
That also doesn’t mention Kyren Williams, Steve Avila, and Braden Fiske who either just turned 25 or will be 25 when the season starts. While those players just missed the cut for this list, the others on it should still be ranked inside the top-half of the NFL.
If a player like Kinchens takes a step forward in 2025, the Rams will have a young player in the secondary that they can build around. It’s also possible that a rookie or two contributes this season more than expected.
Despite coming in at 18th in ESPN’s under-25 rankings, the Rams’ young core is still loaded with potential. Nacua and Verse lead that charge with Ferguson, Kinchens, and others looking to play important roles. For a team trying to stay competitive while also building for the future, the Rams’ balance of youth and experience could be enough to help them when it matters late in the season.
