Welcome to our new message board system. We hope you enjoy the new features, and please post any issues or problems in the Help and Support forum. There are also several tutorial videos posted there to help you get familiar with some of the changes. Registration is required to post.https://ramsrule.com/herd/index.phpFri, 26 Jun 2026 15:01:53 -0400 Phorum 5.2.18 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244653,1244653#msg-1244653 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244653,1244653#msg-1244653 roman18 RamsFootballFans.comFri, 26 Jun 2026 14:53:39 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244651,1244651#msg-1244651 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244651,1244651#msg-1244651
[ramblinfan.com]

John Sbisa

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Quarterback Matthew Stafford spent three seasons with Los Angeles Rams legend Aaron Donald, from 2021 to 2023, before the latter's retirement. So he knows first-hand what a monster opposing QBs had to deal with.

Actually, he had his own experience in their shoes during his Lions tenure. In particular, Stafford remembers a game against Los Angeles in Donald's second season, in which Donald notched three sacks and six quarterback hits en route to a Rams win.

"I mean, that was a game I'll never forget. … Aaron gets through the line and rips the ball off me, takes both my biceps and pulls them apart. I got two hands on it, right? So I'm doing quote, unquote, 'my job.' And he just goes zwoosh.

"I come over to the sideline and I'm like, 'I got two hands on it. I don't know what to do.' And [offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter] is like, 'Gotta find a way to hold onto it.' Get the f— out of here with that, dude. He is so strong, you know. That's the ultimate coach. 'You gotta figure out a way.' I'm like, 'There ain't no way.'"

That was back in 2015. Donald was 24. Even at age 35, he is still in tip-top shape, still possessed of the Herculean strength that should make his potential return to the Rams this season terrifying to any quarterback in the league. He may be retired for now, but he's still Aaron Donald.

Prospect of Donald's return should drum up league-wide QB dread

Per ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the possibility of Donald's return is gaining "momentum." That's bad news for all 31 starting quarterbacks not employed by the Rams. Donald retired three seasons ago still in elite form. You can bet he has some juice left. Just ask Stafford.

AD was the type of superhuman game-wrecker coaches couldn't hope to scheme out of the picture. Thrust double teams his way, deploy chip blocks, stash an extra running back in the backfield to slow his path to the quarterback. By then, it was already too late. Throw the whole kitchen sink at Donald and it didn't matter.

"Gotta find a way" isn't much of a way to deal with him. Donald was, by his standards, just a baby when Stafford encountered him. He was two seasons from his first of three Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Fresh off winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Donald was undeniably an extremely talented young star. But predicting the full force of his Hall of Fame trajectory was, at that point, impossible.

"I mean, I don't know if you ever know what that guy's going to become. It was unbelievable how great his career was," Stafford said.

If Donald does return, the Rams won't expect him to do so at his peak, or even necessarily to pick up where he left off. With a pass rush led by Myles Garrett, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner, they don't need him to do any of that. But adding Donald to an already formidable defensive front, saving him for the most crucial plays, would be, frankly, unfair.

Stafford found out just how unfair it was having to deal with his young self. Three DPOYs and a should-be first-ballot Hall of Fame career later, ascertaining whether that's still the case is not an experiment any opposing QB or offensive lineman should want to undertake.
]]> Rams_43 Rams ChroniclesFri, 26 Jun 2026 14:38:48 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244650,1244650#msg-1244650 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244650,1244650#msg-1244650
[ramblinfan.com]

Bret Stuter

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To hear analysts talk entering the 2026 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams' season depended almost entirely upon finding and drafting a rookie to be the third option in a productive passing game. The reality is that few fans know much about any team's No. 3 receiver. It's just not as urgent compared to, say, securing a future franchise quarterback.

Which Cowboys receiver drew the third-most targets? Who was the Lions' WR3? How about the Patriots' or the Seahawks'? The average fan would be hard-pressed to buzz in an answer.

As painful as it may be to some who argued vehemently for drafting USC receiver Makai Lemon, having two elite options in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams is more than enough to shake, rattle, and roll NFL defenses.

The latest ranking of receiver duos suggests the Rams are in great shape.

Ranking the best WR duos in the NFL.

(Via: The Wenzel Perspective/ig) pic.twitter.com/Xi1mYbCIXH
— JPA (@jasrifootball) June 24, 2026
L.A.'s top-ranked 2025 offense is poised to be even more productive in '26. The entire debate over needing to draft a definitive third receiver simply does not hold up. No NFL offense relies on a WR3 to win games.

No. 3 receivers do not move the needle

Offseason debates help to pass the time until actual football resumes. Naturally, analysts frame the topics of discussion to encourage emotion and conflict. Why wouldn't they?

Criticism over the Rams' draft approach omitted an important concession. No third wide receiver moves the needle in any significant way. That's just how it is. Not convinced? Try naming the WR3 for each team listed above, a group that includes both Super Bowl participants alongside two esteemed offenses. The answers are:

Dallas Cowboys - WR Ryan Flournoy | 40 receptions | 56 targets | 476 yards | 4 touchdowns
Detroit Lions - WR Kalif Raymond | 24 receptions | 30 targets | 289 yards | 1 touchdown
New England Patriots - WR Mack Hollins | 46 receptions | 65 targets | 550 yards | 2 touchdowns
Seattle Seahawks - WR Rahim Shaheed } 15 receptions | 26 targets | 188 yards | 0 tochdowns
Those players are hardly leading their respective teams to the playoffs. While they may contribute in rotational roles, the reality of a WR3 is that he is rather easily replaced.

Consider: Xavier Smith, who hauled in 18 passes for 303 yards in 2025, third among Rams wideouts, fits right in with the group above. But nobody mentioned that in the great debate over how desperately the team needed to draft a rookie No. 3.

Still in doubt? The Rams lost only one receiver, Tutu Atwell, in the offseason. Atwell accounted for six catches, 192 receiving yards, and one touchdown. L.A. will find a way to make up the difference for his absence, and then some.

As always, thanks for reading.
]]> Rams_43 Rams ChroniclesFri, 26 Jun 2026 14:27:56 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244639,1244639#msg-1244639 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244639,1244639#msg-1244639


]]> RamBill RamsFootballFans.comFri, 26 Jun 2026 11:31:19 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244628,1244628#msg-1244628 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244628,1244628#msg-1244628 BerendsenRam Rams ChroniclesFri, 26 Jun 2026 05:25:57 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244625,1244625#msg-1244625 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244625,1244625#msg-1244625
1. He gambled on games including his own team, regardless whether or not he was playing.

2. He used proxies to gamble for him once he was in a state that betting was illegal.

3. He admits to any gambling under the age of 21, he literally gives federal prosecutors ammo to have him arrested for illegally gambling. So he is not going to go around to HSs giving young athletes advice on the perils of gambling.

4. He sues the NCAA saying it cause him mental harm to not be able to play college football. He is the victim of an illness.

5. He wins his case against the NCAA, but then the Texas AG steps in and doesn't allow the Big 12 to police their own conference. Oklahoma and Kansas AGs step in and countersue, completely wrecking Sorsby's chances of playing college ball again.

6. He backs off his NCAA lawsuit, to become ineligible and enters the NFL supplemental draft.

7. The NFL says they won't be having a supplemental draft, and wish him luck until next draft.

8. Sorsby, out of NCAA options, has his lawyers talking about illegal CBA regarding the NFL. Setting up the inevitable NFL lawsuit.

9. He is setting up a lawsuit on behalf of the NFLPA, to get back into the supplemental draft, even though to be a part of the NFLPA, you have to be an NFL player.

10. The NFL CBA allows the NFL to decide whether or not they have a supplemental draft. There is no injunction on the planet that will force the NFL to have a supplemental draft.

11. Call it what you want, but billionairs hate being told what to do and will let him go undrafted and unsigned. If Shaduer Sanders and his "I'm bigger than the shield: schtick last year wasn't warning enough, you don't know NFL owners. Basically ending his NFL dream.

12. There is no option for UFL or XFL or whatever, its over, CFL has rules and he is on no teams FA list, meaning he cannot go to Canada.

13. He has one option as far as college: Junior college. They have no rules on academics, gambling and I'm just guessing anything short of murder, and maybe not even that.

So after a point by point recap of what Sorsby is looking at, here are my thoughts. Yeah, gambling is not near the crime that drunk driving and killing someone is like a guy we might be familiar with. Nor is it as serious as putting your hands on a woman. Not to sound hokey, but where I come from, if you hit a woman, you are better off turning ourself in to the police. I also think gambling, alcohol and drugs are all addictions and should be treated as an illness. This all said, Sorsby playing the victim is an absolute joke and is ruining his chances at a pro career. Yes, you have a disease or illness, and yet you are still responsible for your actions and actions always have repercussions. He has, at every turn, refused to take responsibility for his actions, and the NFL is not having it. So why do they not just give him a few game suspension? IMO, the NFL has been watching every move this story has gone are tired of watching some kid sue his way to their league. On top of that, the NFL is deep in bed with gambling and there is no way they wreck on of their newest and most profitable bedpartners.

Sorsby is in a tough spot, I admit. He admits to illegal gambling, he opens himself up to federal charges. He doesn't admit to his mistakes, he looks like a silver spooned victim of an addiction he hasn't kicked since the first steps in recovery is admitting your actions and taking responsibility for them. Which he hasn't.

IMO, he goes down as a cautionary tale about the perils of gambling and becomes a footnote in NFL annals, because if he goes JuCo or sits out a year, next years class will bury him. And whatever you all think of me, I won't lose 1 min of sleep for a guy that had everything handed to him, literally gambled it away and tried to sue his way to greatness. Life ain't that easy. Plus, I'm a big fan of karma.]]> Deadpool RamsFootballFans.comFri, 26 Jun 2026 12:42:05 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?4,1244595,1244595#msg-1244595 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?4,1244595,1244595#msg-1244595
]]> SeattleRam Bucky's PubThu, 25 Jun 2026 19:17:00 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244588,1244588#msg-1244588 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244588,1244588#msg-1244588
]]> RamBill RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 20:46:05 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244586,1244586#msg-1244586 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244586,1244586#msg-1244586
Erin and Rob also dig into rookie QB Ty Simpson's unconventional playbook prep and unpack the 13-personnel evolution: zero reps in training camp last year before it became the team's most explosive grouping. They close on a loaded six-man tight end room with Max Klare and Terrance Ferguson both developing, why the Rams aren't sweating the lack of a true WR3, and how the NFC West remains the most challenging division in football.

0:00 - Introduction and Rams Training Camp Preview
1:42 - Rob Havenstein on Transitioning into Retirement
3:10 - The Grueling Nature of NFL Training Camps
4:30 - World Cup Atmosphere in Los Angeles
5:30 - Addressing Aaron Donald Retirement Rumors
7:50 - Comparing Aaron Donald and Miles Garrett
9:15 - How to Game Plan Against Elite Pass Rushers
11:00 - Ty Simpson's Unique Playbook Memorization Strategy
12:55 - The Complexity of Sean McVay’s Playbook
14:50 - The Evolution of the Rams' Offense and 13 Personnel
17:45 - Why the Rams Aren't Worried About Wide Receiver Depth
19:30 - Deep Dive into the Rams' Tight End Room
22:20 - Analyzing Player Profiles: Puka Nacua vs. Terrence Ferguson
23:50 - Closing Thoughts and What’s Next for the Rams



]]> RamBill RamsFootballFans.comFri, 26 Jun 2026 07:02:17 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244575,1244575#msg-1244575 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244575,1244575#msg-1244575
AJ is facing misdeamor accounts of "he-said, she-said" stuff. Arnold is being held without bond for multiple counts of armed robbery and kidnapping after many weeks of investigation. This is going to turn into another wasted 1st round draft pick.

Arnold had no known police troubles in college and was regarded as a "high character" guy. So, how the Lions could ever have imagined this could devolve into this mess.....

There needs to be Union and contract rules about this stuff that a team can recover money and cap when a guy gets arrested and jailed and then convicted for serious criminal offenses. There is simply no way to know for sure whether you have an upright citizen or a guy with serious behaviorial potential problems when you draft them, especially if has never shown up before.

This brings us to the Sorsby issure. I cannot imagine an NFL team that would want to hire a notorious gambler who bets on his own team and control a game, as their QB. I don't care if the guy swore on a stack of Bibles that those days were behind him. That is an enormous, known character flaw of untrustworthiness. I think the NFL did the right thing by canceling this year's supplemental draft so that the kid doesn't get rewarded for being shady. And some dumb-a$$ NFL team like the Cowboys or Raiders or Browns picking up yet another known bad-boy.]]> RockRam RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 13:35:36 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244558,1244558#msg-1244558 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244558,1244558#msg-1244558
Side note: Is that Tutu wearing #5??? He looks even smaller than I remember! (Sorry Shecky!)

Check out his stuff...



]]> Ramsdude RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 09:20:38 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244551,1244551#msg-1244551 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244551,1244551#msg-1244551Poll: How long have you been a Ram fan?

Just thought this would be a fun exercise as we enter the doldrums before training camp.

You are no less or more of a Rams fan based on your years following them.]]> Shecky RamsFootballFans.comFri, 26 Jun 2026 14:39:08 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244543,1244543#msg-1244543 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244543,1244543#msg-1244543www.si.com]]]> BerendsenRam Rams ChroniclesFri, 26 Jun 2026 05:35:47 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244538,1244538#msg-1244538 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244538,1244538#msg-1244538 BerendsenRam Rams ChroniclesThu, 25 Jun 2026 15:02:10 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?4,1244534,1244534#msg-1244534 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?4,1244534,1244534#msg-1244534
Hope this isn't the start of a real life low budget movie.

]]> SeattleRam Bucky's PubFri, 26 Jun 2026 14:57:00 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244530,1244530#msg-1244530 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244530,1244530#msg-1244530after the Mexico vs Chechnya World Cup game

I have never seen an ad with Myles Garret in it before,
so I think this Chase ad is brand new.

Garret has been a Ram for 26 days and he has his first ad here.
That did not take long. That will help cover the CA state tax bill.]]> ramzilla RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 10:41:23 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244529#msg-1244529 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244529,1244529#msg-1244529
Because adding Myles Garrett didn't make us any better at that.]]> kw13 RamsFootballFans.comFri, 26 Jun 2026 01:39:08 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244522,1244522#msg-1244522 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244522,1244522#msg-1244522
So Sorsby wont be in a supplementary draft. Now that makes him basically unemployed. Now, in most European sports that means he COULD just be signed by anyone really at any time, but how does it work in the NFL?
Is it the same but teams just rarely do? Or is he simply *** out of luck until next years draft? Could he even declare for that?
How do these things work because Supplementary draft or not I could see how he would be worth taking a flyer on by F.I. Raiders or Jets or Viking etc but is that even possible?

Ill admit I probably SHOULD know these things... but i don't sooooo....]]> DanishRam RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 09:15:38 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244515,1244515#msg-1244515 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244515,1244515#msg-1244515
Matthew Stafford on Myles Garrett's Impact, Aaron Donald & Ty Simpson's Future


Green Light with Chris Long
290K subscribers

14,958 views Jun 23, 2026 Green Light Podcast | Full Episodes
Matthew Stafford, the sheriff of the LA Rams, joins Chris and dives deep into his career, playing as an elder statesman, teaming with Sean McVay, winning the Super Bowl in 2022 and being a youth football coach. Stafford also covers his excitement of Myles Garrett joining the LA Rams, being a mentor to rookie Ty Simpson and he tells an incredible Aaron Donald story.

00:00 Intro
1:27 Matthew Stafford's Career Longevity
11:27 Flag Football Coach
13:55 NFC West Rivalries
18:55 Playoff Game Atmospheres
22:58 2026 Rams Playoff Run
29:52 Toughest DLines
31:32 Aaron Donald's Dominance
33:00 Myles Garrett in LA
35:10 Connection with Davante Adams
37:50 Mentoring Ty Simpson
39:00 Dan Orlovsky & Kellen Moore
39:55 Matthew Stafford's Best Throw Ever
40:45 Dylan Raiola



]]> Ramsdude RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 11:15:11 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244513,1244513#msg-1244513 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244513,1244513#msg-1244513
Hope it is real :thumbsup


[www.instagram.com]]]> Rampage2k RamsFootballFans.comThu, 25 Jun 2026 18:24:58 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244482,1244482#msg-1244482 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244482,1244482#msg-1244482 BerendsenRam Rams ChroniclesWed, 24 Jun 2026 16:24:08 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244476,1244476#msg-1244476 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244476,1244476#msg-1244476
What does this say about Bennett?

Shouldn't he clearly be ahead of Simpson? He's been in this system for years and has 4 times or more college experience than Simpson.

Maybe this is a good sign for Simpson? Maybe it's just some positive "hype" without saying anything bad about either QB? lol

link

The Athletic’s Nate Atkins says neither Ty Simpson or Stetson Bennett have been able to “stand out ahead of the other” in the Rams quarterback room.

With Matthew Stafford likely to have another limited training camp as he manages a back issue for the second straight year, rookie No. 13 pick Ty Simpson and former fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett are battling for the backup role. Though the team wants Jimmy Garoppolo back, the vet is mulling retirement, leading to one of these two unproven arms to be thrust into the backup quarterback role. Atkins reports Bennett took reps first in Stafford’s two missed practices in minicamp but neither Bennett nor Simpson “were able to stand out ahead of the other.” The Rams consider the backup role a significant void “with Stafford’s need to take time off and with the risk from each time Stafford takes a hit”, according to Atkins. A season in which Stafford misses time due to injury already decreases the Rams’ contention odds and an unprepared Simpson or Bennett as QB2 would be costly. Both will have time for developmental reps in camp and Simpson is worth rostering in Dynasty fantasy football formats.]]> Ramsdude RamsFootballFans.comWed, 24 Jun 2026 13:48:37 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244472,1244472#msg-1244472 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244472,1244472#msg-1244472


]]> RamBill RamsFootballFans.comTue, 23 Jun 2026 17:51:53 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244471,1244471#msg-1244471 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244471,1244471#msg-1244471
video]

[/video]]]> RamBill RamsFootballFans.comWed, 24 Jun 2026 14:31:49 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244463,1244463#msg-1244463 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244463,1244463#msg-1244463
[attachment 15429 1.png]]]> Ramsdude RamsFootballFans.comTue, 23 Jun 2026 19:34:12 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244452,1244452#msg-1244452 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244452,1244452#msg-1244452

NFL keeps Brendan Sorsby out of supplemental draft
link

The NFL is sticking it to Brendan Sorsby.

PFT has confirmed that the NFL has decided not to conduct a supplemental draft in July 2026. This means that Sorsby will not enter the NFL until the April 2027 draft.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the NFL believed there was insufficient time to fully investigate his gambling activities.

That’s a cop-out, in our view. They could have (and perhaps should have) begun exploring the matter from the moment it became clear — in late April — that Sorsby may end up applying for the supplemental draft. Also, the league didn’t have to investigate Sorsby’s gambling to determine whether he is or isn’t eligible to be drafted.

There’s no rule regarding eligibility for the draft that relates to gambling prior to entering the NFL.

The next question becomes whether Sorsby will fight the NFL’s decision in court. Because Sorsby has not yet been drafted, he’s not part of the union. Lawyer Jeffrey Kessler, who won a temporary injunction restoring Sorsby’s NCAA eligibility 15 days ago, could file a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary injunction.

The NFL currently has two players who engaged in similar gambling behavior to Sorsby while in college. Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte bet on LSU games in which he played for LSU (Sorsby didn’t play in any of the Indiana games on which he wagered); Boutte was never punished in any way by the league. Saints quarterback Hunter Dekkers permanently lost his NCAA eligibility for gambling on Iowa State while he was on the Iowa State roster. His entry into the NFL was not delayed.

But, as mentioned recently, the NFL has a reputation for making the rules up as it goes. Someone believed Sorsby deserved to miss a year of football — and that someone decided the best way to do that would be to keep him out of the 2026 draft.]]> Ramsdude RamsFootballFans.comTue, 23 Jun 2026 15:38:21 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244450,1244450#msg-1244450 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244450,1244450#msg-1244450 Shecky RamsFootballFans.comTue, 23 Jun 2026 13:51:58 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244448,1244448#msg-1244448 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244448,1244448#msg-1244448

[www.therams.com]]]> Rampage2k RamsFootballFans.comWed, 24 Jun 2026 02:12:31 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244443,1244443#msg-1244443 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244443,1244443#msg-1244443x.com]

Interesting factoid to ponder, unless you’re a Cowboy fan…]]> Rams_43 RamsFootballFans.comTue, 23 Jun 2026 10:53:26 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244442,1244442#msg-1244442 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?23,1244442,1244442#msg-1244442
[ramblinfan.com]

John Sbisa

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Tight end Terrance Ferguson had a difficult rookie season for the Los Angeles Rams. The 46th overall pick entered the year with high expectations as the frontrunner in LA's 2025 draft class. It was disappointing, then, when he did not earn any consistent role, finishing the season with just 11 catches.

Those within the Rams' organization aren't concerned about Ferguson's potential or growth. They believe he is already on the cusp of a sophomore leap, per intel from ESPN's Sarah Barshop, who covered the Rams portion of a pre-training-camp assessment of each team's "biggest surprise" thus far.

"everal people in the Rams' building have pointed to Ferguson as a player they think will take a big step forward in Year 2," wrote Barshop. "Tight end Tyler Higbee said while the position is 'one of the tougher' spots to transition from college to the NFL, Ferguson has 'got it.' 'He's going to be a great player,' Higbee said."

Coming from Higbee, the tight-end room's senior representative, that means a lot. Ferguson has plenty to prove, and it sounds like he is on track to do just that.

Year 2 Ferguson is ready to come into his own

Ferguson is suited to a clear, if uncanny role in the Rams' offense; he just has to earn an expanded opportunity. That role is serving as a de facto WR3, stretching the field as a deep threat from the slot or out wide. He did that last year in limited reps, averaging 21 yards per catch with an average depth of target of 18.6 yards.

For Ferguson, though, taking the next step also means being more than just a deep ball specialist. He can factor more into the short and mid-range game and shore up as a blocker. Higbee and Parkinson will still be go-to veterans in short-area, run-heavy, and goal-line scenarios, but simply getting his foot in the door will make Ferguson an exponentially more valuable weapon.

Not only will he be able to contribute in a variety of sets and schemes, it will also be harder for defenses to anticipate his assignment on a given play. It won't be as simple as, 'Oh, hey, there's Ferguson, be ready for a deep post route.'

The good news is that, in the eyes of Higbee and others in team circles, Ferguson demonstrated significant progress in OTAs.

Granting Ferguson a bigger role if he earns it also falls on head coach Sean McVay, who has historically been reluctant to utilize young pass-catchers consistently. With a year of experience under his belt, Ferguson should make that less of an issue, anyway. Now that McVay has mastered 13-personnel, too, he may have an even clearer vision of how to maximize his individual tight ends according to their specific skill sets.

Don't take just anyone's word for it, take Higbee's. Ferguson has the 'it' factor, and Rams fans may see it on display sooner rather than later.
]]> Rams_43 Rams ChroniclesTue, 23 Jun 2026 10:13:48 -0400