The Los Angeles Rams signed Kamren Kinchens and Brennan Jackson to their rookie deals, making it nine of their 10 picks from the 2024 NFL Draft under contract.
The only rookie left who has yet to sign is Jared Verse, who was the Rams’ first-round pick at No. 19 overall.
There is no concern over Verse’s deal as he will get the normal amount for a first-round pick at his draft slot plus a fifth-year option that the team can choose to exercise once the time comes.
With most of their rookie class signed, Los Angeles can move forward with most of its group during OTAs, which are scheduled to take place this week into the early part of June. After that, the Rams will have mandatory minicamp before the official start of training camp and preseason.
While Braden Fiske and Verse are projected as starters, Kinchens and Jackson will need to compete for rotational roles and snaps on the defense. Kinchens could be in direction competition with Russ Yeast for one of the starting safety spots, or be used as a third option in certain sub-packages. Meanwhile, Jackson will likely start the year out behind Byron Young and Verse, though his tenacity up front should earn him snaps right away.
Kinchens was selected in the third round at No. 99 overall while Jackson was a fifth-round pick at No. 154. Regardless of where each player was selected though, Los Angeles isn’t afraid to throw them into the mix if they prove they deserve it. There’s no better example than Puka Nacua, who was also a fifth-round pick that later developed into a star on the offense side of the field.
The ripple effects of Aaron Donald’s retirement remain to be seen on the roster, but the front office understood that it needed to replenish the defense with young and cheap talent. No individual on the defense will be able to replace what Donald did up front, so defensive coordinator Chris Shula will need to find a way to make up for his loss with a committee of players.
Rams’ Tyler Davis excited to team with Jared Verse & Braden Fiske
Jackson wasn’t the only defensive lineman selected on Day 3 as the Rams took Clemson’s Tyler Davis with the No. 196 overall pick. Davis got to see Verse and Fiske play since all three players were in the ACC and the defensive tackle admitted he’s excited to team up with them.
