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EXCLUSIVE: Los Angeles Rams Players Speak On The Teams Late-Round Formula And Why It Drives Success
Nikko Buenavidez
Updated: August 9, 2025
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The Los Angeles Rams have mastered the art of finding value on Days 2 and 3 of the draft. Despite being without a first-round pick from 2017 to 2023, they’ve built multiple playoff and Super Bowl-caliber rosters by scouting smart, drafting for fit, and creating a culture that turns raw talent into reliable starters.
How? It comes down to a clear formula: smart scouting, a coaching staff that teaches and trusts, and a culture where young players are expected to contribute early — and given the tools to do it.
A Front Office That Finds Its Guys
Les Snead’s draft philosophy is no secret. The Rams load up on Day 2 and Day 3 selections, looking for players who fit their scheme, mindset, and locker room.
That means football IQ, competitiveness, and love for the game are often valued over 40 times or vertical jumps. A lot of the time, they don’t take the best player consensus available, but rather the best fit for them specifically.
One of the things you’ll hear a lot is “buy in” which is something they’re looking for: a player to be a part of the culture instantly.
Once They’re With The Los Angeles Rams, They’re Coached Up
The coaching side of the equation might be the Los Angeles Rams’ real competitive edge. Young players are developed quickly, given meaningful reps, and held to high standards without being overwhelmed.
Multiple players this year spoke directly to how quickly they’ve been able to pick up the playbook and earn trust from coaches.
“I feel like they trust in their players,” said rookie RB Jarquez Hunter. “And I feel like they build a great relationship with their players to try to teach them and let them learn as fast as they can, and as easy as they make it, as easy as they can to help us learn, try to pick it up faster. I feel like they’re doing a great job, just transitioning from third to seventh-round players to starters. They did a great job of bettering them up as players.”
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Hunter, a fourth-round pick out of Auburn, has seen consistent reps behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum during camp, and looks like he could carve out a role sooner rather than later.
Undrafted? Doesn’t Matter Here
Just ask LB Omar Speights, who arrived at camp last year as an undrafted free agent and flashed in multiple practices, earning him a starting role towards the end of last season. For him, the environment is what sets the Los Angeles Rams apart.
“I give them credit for choosing the right guys,” Speights said. “But then also just how smart they are and just being able to teach things and just make everything come together for guys… and the trust they have for guys to come in and prove themselves.”
That belief, that even UDFAs have a real shot to make the 53 and earn roles, isn’t lip service in LA. They’re currently projected to have 6 UDFAs start on the roster for them this season (Speights, Poona Ford, Alaric Jackson, Nate Landman, Darious Williams, Coleman Shelton).
Players Know This Is The Right Place To Grow
The buy-in from the locker room is obvious. Wide receiver Jordan Whittington, a 2024 sixth-round pick out of Texas, didn’t hold back when asked what it meant to be a Ram:
“Definitely. I think this is probably the best organization I could have went to,” Whittington said. “God has a plan for everybody. I think this is where I was meant to be.”
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He’s been one of the most consistent offensive performers in camp and is positioning himself to be the Los Angeles Rams’ WR3 this year.
It Doesn’t Feel Forced
That theme of trust and empowerment came up again with safety Kamren Kinchens, the 2024 third-rounder out of Miami.
“It’s just the way their coaches are wired,” Kinchens said. “Every coach they bring into the building wants to see you succeed. It never feels like you have to do something — the players want to, because you know they got your best interests. They keep it real, and the scheme is simple. Just do your job — that’s all they say. If you do that, they’re going to put you in a position to succeed.”
The Track Record Backs It Up
Since 2022, the team has averaged about four new starters per year coming out of Rounds 2-7, which is a great track record for drafting.
This isn’t a new thing. Here’s a snapshot of just some of the best late-round successes:
Jordan Fuller (6th, 2020) – Became the defensive signal caller by Year 2
Ernest Jones (3rd, 2021) – 145 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2023, the new leader of the defense
Kyren Williams (5th, 2022) – 1,144 rushing yards and 12 TDs in 12 games last season
Cobie Durant (4th, 2022) – 3 INTs as a rookie, starting nickel by Year 2
Byron Young (3rd, 2023) – Led all rookie linebackers with 8.0 sacks
Kobie Turner (3rd, 2023) – Led the team with 9.0 sacks as a rookie DT
Puka Nacua (5th, 2023) – 105 catches, 1,486 yards, broke multiple rookie records
From Snead’s draft strategy to McVay’s development pipeline, the Los Angeles Rams keep finding ways to turn unheralded prospects into starters. The culture, the scheme, and the coaching make LA one of the most welcoming environments for a late-round pick in the NFL.
More News: Projected Los Angeles Rams Final 53-Man Roster: Who Makes The Cut And Why
“This is where I was meant to be,” Whittington said. That line could’ve come from almost any of them. And if history holds, a few months from now, we’ll be talking about one or two more names no one saw coming, just the latest success stories from a new formula that rarely misses