3 Rams on Thin Ice Following the NFL Draft
By Cem Yolbulan
Russ Yeast, S
The Rams' defensive backfield also needed reinforcements this offseason after struggling in 2023. Both the cornerback and safety rotation lacked both in quantity and quality, especially after Jordan Fuller signed with the Panthers in free agency. The Rams added Kamren Curl but the depth behind him leaves plenty to be desired.
GM Les Snead addressed this need in the third-round of the draft by selecting Kamren Kinchens out of Miami. Kinchens has 11 interceptions since 2022, most by any FBS player in the country. Sean McVay already said that he expects to "come in and be a factor" immediately.
If Kinchens is going to have a big role right away, it likely means that it will come at Russ Yeast's expense.
Yeast played in every game for the Rams last season and in over 70% of defensive snaps. But he failed to fulfill the promise he showed in his rookie season when he displayed intriguing flashes as a seventh-round pick. He allowed a 115.7 passer rating and 68.3% completion rate when targeted while having a miserable 21.8% missed tackle percentage. On Pro Football Focus, he graded as one of the worst safeties last season.
Kamren Curl, Quentin Lake, and Kamren Kinchens are clearly ahead of Yeast in the rotation. The former Kansas State man needs to show more in training camp to warrant his role in the rotation.
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