Another year, another Los Angeles Rams rookie class looking like it’s gonna give the team pretty much nothing. Seriously, you gotta wonder if Les Snead actually *wants* rookies to contribute, because right now, this 2026 group seems destined for the bench, and that’s just not how Super Bowl winners are built anymore. Every team that’s hoisted that Lombardi Trophy since the Rams last did has had their young guys stepping up big, and LA just isn’t playing that game.
Early Signs Point to a Redshirt Year For Everyone
Let’s break down these picks. First up, Ty Simpson: drafted with the explicit plan for him *not* to play this year. What kind of signal does that send? It screams that the Rams still aren’t counting on their new blood to help them win games, which is a wild move in today’s NFL. Then there’s Max Klare, the tight end, who logged a ton of snaps in the first preseason game. That usually means he’s not gonna see much action when the regular season kicks off. He’s way down the depth chart, behind Terrance Ferguson and at least two, maybe even three, other tight ends. Yeah, he had seven receptions in his preseason debut, which is cool for 2027 and beyond, but for this year? Don’t expect much impact. It’s almost like they’re already thinking about the future for these guys, not the present.
And if that wasn’t enough, Keagen Trost, their third-round pick, is sidelined for a few weeks with an injury. Trost was already trending toward a bench role with an eye on 2027, but missing August is a brutal blow for any rookie’s immediate development. It’s basically a confirmed “redshirt year” at this point, which, honestly, we all kind of saw coming. Even the late-round picks are struggling just to make the squad. Sixth-rounder C.J. Daniels and seventh-rounder Tim Keenan III are scrapping for a 53-man spot, with Daniels already buried behind at least four receivers. Someone like Xavier Smith is making a stronger case for that fifth receiver spot, meaning Daniels probably needs an injury just to sniff the field. This feels like typical Rams behavior, but is “normal” good enough?
This Ain’t the 2021 Rams Anymore, And Sean McVay Knows It
The thing is, the Rams usually make the playoffs, so nobody’s saying there’s an immediate crisis. But let’s be real, they haven’t won or even *reached* the Super Bowl since 2021. You know that’s gotta be making Sean McVay, a guy who knows what winning a Super Bowl feels like, pretty darn uncomfortable. We’re talking about one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, in the tougher conference, where every single advantage you can grab is absolutely crucial.
The Rams did make a big swing, trading a first-round pick for Trent McDuffie. That’s a major move and a solid use of the pick they got from the Atlanta Falcons. But McDuffie is just one player. That trade doesn’t change the fact that their five *other* picks from this draft class may offer absolutely zero value to the team in 2026. And like we said, recent Super Bowl winners? They don’t do that. They get major contributions from their rookies. The Rams are playing a dangerous game by ignoring this path to success, and it could seriously cap their ceiling this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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