Los Angeles Rams linebacker Shaun Dolac.
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Shaun Dolac. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Projecting future NFL stars is not an easy task. What makes it so difficult? Sometimes it's applying the right measure. Not all stars excel in individual statistics. Sometimes, the best players contribute to a group effort and allow teammates to shine. Los Angeles Rams legend Aaron Donald fits that type of player to a tee.
While this roster does not boast a future Donald, the Rams were desperate enough in Week 7 against the Raiders to give fans a sneak preview of who may be called to fill larger roles in 2027. Thankfully, these playmakers delivered in place of injured starters, performing well enough to secure a win in a game that could have sunk playoff hopes had it gone the wrong way.
Let's shine a spotlight on some of the best performances of the day:
#Rams Week 7 Top Defensive PFF Scores:
Jaylen Watson - 90.7
Shaun Dolac - 84.3
Omar Speights - 83.5
Josh Wallace - 78.7
Ty Hamilton - 77.3
— East Coast Rams Pod (@EastCoastRams) October 26, 2026
Rams could have future starters in these 4 youngsters
1. Inside linebacker Shaun Dolac
He may not have led the team in tackles, but rewatching Dolac's performance reveals a young defender who plays like a seasoned veteran. Better still, his skill set complements, rather than competes with, that of teammate Omar Speights.
Dolac is a throwback to legendary Rams linebackers. He is a no-nonsense tackling machine with a nose for the football and the demeanor of a bulldog. With him on the field, the entire defense seems to play better.
2. Tight end Davis Allen
Both Allen and Colby Parkinson are playing in the last year of their contracts. Allen will very likely be the less-expensive extension. After a two-touchdown Week 7 performance, he may be the better investment. Allen is a blocking savant, a tight end whose skills rival those of an offensive lineman.
But he can catch passes too, as his better-than-70 percent catch rate reveals. He is far too versatile and valuable in this offense. Better to promote him than replace him.
3. Defensive lineman Ty Hamilton
Hamilton was a slow starter, but he is coming into his own. And with nose tackle Poona Ford out for the remainder of 2026, Hamilton finds himself finally getting a healthy portion of defensive snaps. Better still, he is proving worthy of his new level of work.
While he was limited to two tackles and one quarterback hit in Week 7, Hamilton finally flashed his true potential. He is a Kobie Turner padawan, a versatile line-him-up-anywhere d-lineman who will leave it all on the football field.
He only played 131 defensive snaps as a rookie in 2025. He'll draw far more work than that this season. And with more experience, Hamilton will develop rapidly.
4. Wide receiver Konata Mumpfield
There is something about Mumpfield that is difficult to discern from game footage. But head coach Sean McVay seems to trust the former Pittsburgh Panthers receiver and continues to steer the offense in his direction. While Mumpfield has only hauled in nine of 19 passes this season, he's put up 142 yards and a touchdown. That works out to 15.8 yards per catch.
As unlikely as it may seem, Mumpfield is the next man up in LA's receiver room. The next closest is Jordan Whittington, who this year has caught two of three targets for 12 yards. Veteran Tutu Atwell has only three catches for 31 yards, on four targets.
As soon as Mumpfield proves he can catch more than 50 percent of his targets, he will be featured far more frequently. But even as it stands, the Rams have shown unusual trust in the young receiver. That trust could translate into a starting role in 2027.
Los Angeles isn't exactly swimming in 2027 draft picks, but it does have plenty of promising young players who could step into starting roles next year. With injuries continuing to deplete the roster, they may well be auditioning for promotions.
As always, thanks for reading.