Who are the Rams’ building blocks for 2025 and beyond?

In what could quickly become a lost season for Rams, which players are worth keeping long-term?

2024 could soon become a lost season for the Los Angeles Rams. With aging stars like Cooper Kupp, Matthew Stafford, Rob Havenstein, Darious Williams, and others nearing the end of their careers in LA and the NFL, the Rams must pick their head up and see the big picture.

Who is worth keeping around for 2025 and beyond? Les Snead and Sean McVay have a plan for a world without Aaron Donald, Kupp, and Stafford—what could it look like?

Obvious keepers; on rookie contracts for 2+ years:

Let’s start with the obvious players and recent draft selections who are on rookie contracts and are all but certainties for the 2025 and 2026 rosters:

Puka Nacua, WR

Jordan Whittington, WR

Beaux Limmer, C

Steve Avila, iOL

Warren McClendon, OT

KT Leveston, G/OT

Davis Allen, TE

Stetson Bennett, QB

Blake Corum, RB

Braden Fiske, IDL

Kobie Turner, IDL

Tyler Davis, IDL

Jared Verse, OLB

Byron Young, OLB

Brennan Jackson, OLB

Nick Hampton, OLB

Tre Tomlinson, CB

Kamren Kinchens, DB

Ethan Evans, P

Josh Karty, K

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Could be part of the mix, candidates for extensions:

These are players who are either on a rookie contract that expires before 2026 or are on a veteran deal. While veteran contracts may extend beyond the next couple of seasons, they often can be easily manipulated to move on from a player before the deal’s conclusion. Just because someone is under contract doesn’t mean they are truly part of the long-term plan for the team.

Tutu Atwell, WR

Alaric Jackson, LT

Logan Bruss, G/OT

Kevin Dotson, G

Jonah Jackson, iOL

Kyren Williams, RB

Quentin Lake, DB

Cobie Durant, CB

Who are LA’s building blocks of the future?

Of these players listed, who could develop into true difference makers for the team?

Puka Nacua

Nacua had a historic rookie season but he’s appeared in only one game so far this year because of injury. An inability to stay healthy is a major reason why he was available last year late into the draft, and that could also prevent him from growing into a cornerstone piece in the future for LA.

Jared Verse

LA’s rookie OLB is already on track to become an elite EDGE defender, though it remains to be seen just how high his ceiling is. Of course, he needs to cut down on missed tackles and finish plays—but if/when that happens he’ll be the focal point of game plans by opposing offenses for years to come.

Kobie Turner

After an impressive rookie year that saw him as a surprise defensive rookie of the year candidate that eventually lost out to Will Anderson of the Houston Texans, Turner is having a bit of a sophomore slump in 2024. His last two games have been his best on the season so far. Is this a sign he’s turning the corner or was his rookie success the product of playing next to Aaron Donald?

Braden Fiske

Fiske has accumulated an impressive 15 pressures through five games, which is tied for third with Byron Young and behind Verse and Turner at 20. His PFF run grade of 56.6 is something to be concerned about and worth keeping an eye on. He’s not yet the total package on the defensive interior, but he certainly has the talent to grow into one with time.

Jordan Whittington

Nacua isn’t the only bargain the Rams have found at receiver. Whittington has stood out after injuries to Nacua, Kupp forced him into action earlier than planned. Advanced metrics suggest the rookie excels at creating separation in man coverage. He should have a role even if/when Kupp and Nacua return from injury. While it may be difficult to put a franchise legend on the bench, it’s probably better long-term for the Rams to get Whittington experience instead of Kupp who likely won’t be around past this year.

Blake Corum

We’ll get to this in a minute, but the Rams will have a tough decision to make on a Kyren Williams contract extension. Corum has three years left on his rookie deal while Williams will be a free agent after the 2025 season. Corum might be the more talented player, and he’s starting to earn more playing opportunities after Ronnie Rivers was the primary backup to Williams to start the year.

Steve Avila, Beaux Limmer

While the future of both tackle positions is up in the air, the Rams can at least bank on two spots on the interior line being locked up by Avila and Limmer. Once Avila and Jonah Jackson return to health, LA will face a tough decision on whether to send standout rookie Limmer to the bench—though if Limmer is going to be around long-term it might be worth leaving Jackson on the sideline and then exploring a potential trade of out on his contract this offseason.

Tough decisions to be made:

Kyren Williams

Could the Rams commit to a costly extension for a running back after they are still recovering from being burned by the Todd Gurley contract? Williams is a fan and coach favorite, but when you draw a line in the sand you have to stick to it.

Alaric Jackson

Jackson helped revamp LA’s rushing attack since his return in Week 3. He’s been an incredible value for the Rams as a former UDFA. While he’s been a steal, is he worth investing in as a franchise player at a premium position on the offensive line?

Byron Young

Young was a 25 year old rookie. He’ll be 29 years old at the end of his rookie deal in 2027. That’s a long time away, but just from an age perspective he might not be someone you want to re-sign—and the Rams should plan for that accordingly.

Quentin Lake

Named a captain in his third season after missing significant time as a rookie, Lake is growing into a leadership role on defense. He’s not standing out as a top performer on the field right now and Los Angeles typically does not re-sign safeties, but Lake is at least a candidate to stick around past 2026.

Potential weak spots on the roster:

Quarterback

The Rams and Stafford should end their marriage after this season. It’s run its course and is time.

With that said, LA is likely in line for a top 10 draft choice and should use that to acquire their long-term QB of the future. Will we see Shedeur Sanders or Quinn Ewers in Los Angeles next year? Could the Rams sign a veteran bridge quarterback to usher in the new era?

Middle linebacker

Omar Speights is a rookie on a UDFA contract, though all three of Jake Hummel, Christian Rozeboom, and Troy Reeder are almost certain to be off the roster by 2026.

We know the Rams don’t typically invest in off-ball linebacker, but maybe they should. Elite MLB’s are few and far between in the NFL.

Secondary

LA hasn’t invested in cornerback in the draft, and that is evident in the players under rookie contracts for the next couple of seasons. Kamren Kinchens was one of the most notable investments the Rams have made in the safety position of late, but he’s off to a rough start as a rookie.

Tight end

Davis Allen is under contract for two more seasons and is on the same timeline as Nacua. Colby Parkinson has been a disappointment after signing with the team in free agency. Tyler Higbee is growing long in the tooth. Hunter Long has done little to prove he deserves sticking around, though he’s a useful player and solid run blocker.