Is the 2023 Rams rookie class the best in franchise history based on rookie seasons?
This season, the Los Angeles Rams rookie class shocked a lot of people with its quick success. While Byron Young and Kobie Turner made an immediate impression on the defense, Steve Avila was a good addition to the offensive line. Not to be forgotten is wide receiver Puka Nacua, who set rookie records for both receptions and receiving in the same season.
All-Rookie selections by the Pro Football Writers Association included
Avila, Young, Turner, and Nacua. It is rare to have four players from the same team on an all-rookie squad. To be exact, this is the first occasion in Rams franchise history that the team has featured four players. It’s important to remember that the PFWA All-Rookie Squad was founded in 1974.
Les Snead, the general manager, was under extreme pressure to dominate the 2023 draft, and he succeeded admirably. The Rams have the young players they need to advance in their team-building process as they approach 2024 and 2025, particularly in Avila, Turner, and Nacua.
These are the players who will support and guide Rams football into the future. Not to mention Davis Allen, who had sparks, or other people who might have an influence as things progress.
Eric Edholm of NFL.com ranked the Rams draft class 27th after the 2023 NFL Draft. Considering their rookie seasons, it’s difficult to argue against his class being the greatest Rams draft class ever.
The record for rookie receiving yards had been in place for more than 60 years. Nacua not only accomplished that but also shattered the record for rookie receptions.
He carried it into the postseason, setting a record for rookie receiving yards in a postseason contest.
Only one player in a Rams uniform has had more than six sacks as a rookie since 1995, and that guy was Aaron Donald. With nine, Turner matched Donald’s record for most sacks, while Young was just behind him with eight.
The Rams ended up selecting Gerald Everett, Cooper Kupp, John Johnson, Josh Reynolds, and Samson Ebukam with their first five picks in the 2017 draft class, which has potential for this 2023 draft class. Only Kupp made the all-rookie team even then.
It is widely acknowledged that the 1974 Steelers draft class was the greatest in history, despite having just three players on the all-rookie squad.
In 1962, the Rams’ first draft classes included Roman Gabriel and Merlin Olsen. In the first two rounds of 1975, Los Angeles had five picks and ultimately selected Monte Jackson, Doug France, and Dennis Harrah.
Rod Perry, who was selected in the fourth round and is currently tied for second in team history with the most interceptions returned for touchdowns, is not included in that. A prerequisite for winning the 1979 Super Bowl was that class.
In the history of the team, the Rams have had several decent draft classes—some even stand up to be called outstanding. They opened 1983 with two players—Eric Dickerson and Henry Ellard—who could both be considered Hall of Fame candidate.
This class is definitely off to a fantastic start, but only time will tell what it develops into. That’s precisely the kind of class that inspires a franchise.
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