History is not in their favor. The odds are intimidating. Even fans have limited expectations for the Los Angeles Rams 2026 drafted rookies. But that's where the fun is, isn't it? After all, should any player exceed expectations from one of the NFC's best teams from 2025, that's reason enough to sit up and take notice.
And there may be more than one rookie who beats expectations in 2026.
This is not about undrafted rookies fighting for survival. This is about the rookies actually selected by Los Angeles who are preparing to compete, but whose talent and energy may inadvertently force coaches to give them a double take. After all, training camp is about players learning the playbook and coordinating with teammates.
And it's about coaches assessing the players.
But this roster has more than depth. In many ways, the five-drafted rookie class has concentrated potential production. While opportunities are not visibly available, this season's newcomers have the type of fit and upside that may create competition where none was expected. Such as?
4 unintended training camp battles Rams fans will love to see play out
1. Inside linebackers Shaun Dolac vs Omar Speights vs Nikhai Hill-Green
Fans recognized that one of the limits to last year's defense was the inability of starting inside linebacker Omar Speights to cover over the middle. With a run-thumper mindset, Speights is out of his element when he is forced to pursue running backs and tight ends in coverage. Shaun Dolad, a star in special teams coverage in 2025, may be competing for the role. But rookie Nikhai Hill-Green will almost certainly be in the mix as well.
NHG can stuff the run. But he is naturally gifted to defend the pass as well. At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, he has the size to neutralize even physical tight ends in coverage. And his rangy lateral sphere of influence makes him a tough defender to get past.
2. Defensive tackles Ty Hamilton vs Tim Keenan
It's almost unfair to defensive tackle Ty Hamilton to compete with Tim Keenan. Hamilton is a versatile jack-of-all-trades who can set up shop anywhere along the defensive front. Keenan is cut from the nose tackle cloth, a low-gravity powerhouse who is built to take on and defeat double teams.
Even as Hamilton holds an advantage with more NFL experience, he may not for long. Keanan is a true nose tackle who flourishes in the line of scrimmage chaos. Keenan will only get better as the season wears on. But training camp will be tons of fun too.
3. Tight ends Terrance Ferguson vs Max Klare
The marketing department sold tight end Terrance Ferguson hard last year. Unfortunately, when the season arrived, he didn't. A sub-.500 catch rate was concerning. A 16 percent playoff catch rate is alarming. And now, here comes rookie tight end Max Klare to see what he can do.
Ferguson is not going to face one-on-one competition with Klare. But at some point, the tight end depth chart will be set. And don't be surprised if Max Klare is higher than many expect him to be. After all, he brings as much raw talent to the tight end room as ever. And if the right conditions were met, he could wow coaches. It will take a lot to shake up the Rams depth chart. But Klare is bringing plenty.
4. Offensive tackles Warren McClendon Jr. vs Keagen Trost
A clever fan noted that Los Angeles had very high hopes for Joe Noteboom to lay claim to the starting left tackle position after Andrew Whitworth retired. Unfortunately, Noteboom struggled and suffered an injury, opening the door for Alaric Jackson to claim the starting role. Jackson never looked back.
Now here we are, with swing tackle Warren McClendon about to lay claim to a starting offensive tackle role vacated by Rob Havenstein. As the adage goes: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." And so, rookie Keagan Trost could be the insurance for the right tackle position in 2026.
That's not saying McClendon will fail, nor is he at risk of injury. But the team has taken stock of past lessons learned to avoid similar pitfalls in 2026. And that is more than logical; it's admirable. The thing is, Trost is talented enough to seize the opportunity to pencil his name in the running for playing time.
No fan experience beats seeing the Lombardi Trophy hoisted by players after a hard-fought game. But seeing players compete in training camp, particularly in the 2026 Rams training camp, is coming in at a close second.
As always, thanks for reading.
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