Ram Digest

Rams Rookie Class: NFL's Best in 2023?

The Los Angeles Rams' rookie class was a big reason behind the team's success this season.

Jeremy Brener

Rams Rookie Class: NFL's Best in 2023?
Rams Rookie Class: NFL's Best in 2023? /
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After bottoming out in 2022 just months after the winning the Super Bowl, the Los Angeles Rams had something to prove in 2023.

They returned to glory this past season by getting back to the playoffs ... and a large amount of credit should be given to the draft class the Rams had this season.

Puka Nacua
David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Led by fifth-round receiver Puka Nacua, the newest Rams helped the team improve by five games. Considering their last contender was built through trades, it's refreshing to see Los Angeles win in this fashion, especially given the sustainability it can have for future seasons.

ESPN ranked each team's rookie class for the 2023 season and placed the Rams at No. 2 behind only the Houston Texans.

"Obviously, the highlight here is fifth-round wide receiver Puka Nacua, who broke the all-time rookie NFL records for both receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486)," ESPN writes. "However, the Rams also got eight sacks from edge rusher Byron Young and nine sacks from defensive tackle Kobie Turner. Both were taken in the third round. And second-round pick Steve Avila was the starter all year at left guard for a surprisingly capable offensive line."

Les Snead Unsure of Whether or Not Rams Will Use First Round Pick

Nacua, Turner, Young and Avila are all potential cornerstones for the Rams for years to come, so the fact that Los Angeles could net all of them in the same draft beyond the first round is very important in terms of the team's development.

Now, the Rams have a first-round pick to work with, and another home run draft class could catapult Los Angeles back in the NFL's contender sector.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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