7 players who could have bigger roles with Rams in 2025

Whittington generated a lot of buzz early in the season when he filled in for Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, catching 18 passes for 201 yards from Week 2-5. After that promising stretch, he didn’t catch another pass until Week 17 and barely played in the postseason.

Whittington has all the traits of a Sean McVay receiver, from toughness to blocking ability to position flexibility. However, he didn’t get much of an opportunity to prove himself when the Rams were fully healthy at wide receiver.

That could change next season if Kupp is traded and Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell leave in free agency. It’s not crazy to think he could be the Rams’ No. 2 receiver in 2025. He’ll have a full NFL offseason after being a rookie last year, which will only help his development entering Year 2.

If Los Angeles wants to shake things up at wideout, Whittington could be in line for a significantly bigger role.

No one could have imagined Jackson would lose his starting job to sixth-round rookie Beaux Limmer, but when both players were healthy, it was Limmer starting at center.

Last season was a massive disappointment for Jackson, who signed the biggest free-agent contract of any Rams player. He was their big-ticket signing but things just didn’t work out. He dealt with a shoulder injury before the season, aggravated it in Week 2 and just struggled to get back to form.

As frustrating as the season was for Jackson, he can’t be written off in L.A. just yet. While Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson are locked in as two of the three starters on the interior of the O-line, the third spot is wide open.

Sure, it could just be Limmer again but if Jackson can stay healthy all offseason, he could reasonably win his starting job back – either at left guard or center. It’s possible Jackson will be a cap casualty already but don’t rule out a starting role for him in 2025.

As a rookie, Davis played 27% of the defensive snaps, which isn’t bad considering he was a sixth-round pick. His versatility on the interior was valuable, showing the ability to play nose tackle, 3-tech or even defensive end.

He brings good size to the defensive line, standing 6-foot-2 and 299 pounds, and he could add even more power to his game with a full offseason of training. If Davis continues to improve, he could end up being a starter on the D-line, particularly in the event that Bobby Brown III leaves in free agency.

The Rams need a big, run-stuffing defensive lineman to go with Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske, and Davis could be the man for the job.

The Rams’ decision to draft Corum in the third round last year raised questions about Kyren Williams’ role, especially after Williams was named the team’s punt returner. Despite all the hype surrounding the rookie, he never carved out a role in the backfield. He never had more than eight carries in a single game, topped out at 42 yards rushing in his best performance and played only 119 snaps – only 38 more than Ronnie Rivers.

It was an underwhelming rookie year from Corum but there’s no way he has a smaller role than what he saw in 2024…right? Lacking explosiveness at running back, the Rams should give Corum more opportunities to carry the ball and contribute on offense.

He’s plenty quick and elusive in the open field, and he runs hard for his size, making him a complete running back. Don’t be surprised if it’s closer to a 70-30 or 60-40 split in the backfield next season.

Jackson was buried on the depth chart as a rookie and it didn’t help that he was injured in training camp, but he’s an intriguing player. He has the size and length to be an NFL edge rusher, holding up well against the run.

He played just 47 snaps last season but that number could climb in Year 2. Michael Hoecht was the only backup edge rusher behind Jared Verse and Byron Young, and he’s a pending free agent.

If Hoecht leaves, Jackson could seamlessly step in and be the third outside linebacker on the depth chart.

McCollough played way more than anyone could’ve expected, seeing a 30% snap share as an undrafted rookie. He became an integral part of the defense despite somewhat limited playing time, making the most of his role with four interceptions, including a pick-six.

Looking ahead to 2025, McCollough’s playing time could increase. Kamren Curl should remain one starting safety but McCollough and Kamren Kinchens could battle for playing time next to him.

Worst-case scenario, the Rams continue to use three-safety sets heavily in 2025, which became a staple of Chris Shula’s scheme. He has excellent ball skills and awareness in the secondary, and he can play deep, near the line of scrimmage and in the box. His versatility should have him on the field often.

Speights was a starter by the end of the season but he wasn’t the Rams’ primary inside linebacker. That title still went to Christian Rozeboom, who is a pending free agent this offseason.

It’s possible Speights will become LB1 in 2025 and be an every-down player for the Rams. Linebacker is a primary need for Los Angeles this offseason but even if the front office drafts one, Speights could be the Rams’ top linebacker.

He’s a good run defender and showed impressive instincts, which should only improve in Year 2 after being an undrafted rookie last season.