Rookies will play a major role for the Los Angeles Rams this season, in part because there are just so many of them. Whether it’s Steve Avila or one of their 20-plus undrafted rookies, the Rams will need their first-year players to step up as backups and potentially starters.
Some of them appear to be off to promising starts in OTAs and minicamp, even as early as it may be. Sean McVay said after Tuesday’s minicamp practice that four rookies, in particular, have stood out to him.
Two of the names he mentioned aren’t surprising at all: Steve Avila and Puka Nacua. Kobie Turner has also made a strong first impression on McVay, as has undrafted rookie lineman Mike McAllister – a volunteer firefighter who’s trying to make it in the NFL.
“I think overall I’ve been really pleased with the class in general,” McVay said. “I think when you look on the offensive side of the ball, Puka Nacua is a guy that’s definitely stood out. I’ve been really pleased with Steve Avila. He’s obviously incredibly talented and gifted but been able to move him from left to right. I think he’s picking things up quickly. Another guy like a Mike McAllister has played a lot of snaps up front and he’s done a really nice job on the offensive line being able to move around. I think Kobie Turner on the defensive side of the ball, he’s done an amazing job. I’ve really been impressed with just his professionalism. He shines. His relentless effort to the football and then being able to just understand the nuances of what we’re asking of him. Those are some guys that have really stood out from that rookie class.”
Nacua and Avila seem poised to earn playing time early as rookies this year, while Turner has a clear path to a starting job after the Rams parted with Greg Gaines and A’Shawn Robinson. He’ll still need to beat out the likes of Marquise Copeland, Jonah Williams, Bobby Brown III and others to become a starter, but Aaron Donald is the only D-lineman locked in to a starting spot right now.
McAllister won’t be a Day 1 starter at center or any other spot, most likely, but if he keeps impressing McVay, perhaps he can vault one of the backups for a role on the 53-man roster come September.
