The Los Angeles Rams held their starters out of preseason action once again this year, allowing their backups the chance to shine on what was the biggest stage for many of the players who took the field. It was a good opportunity for them to not only prove themselves, but for the coaches and front office to evaluate players who were fighting for roster spots.
Now that the preseason is in the rearview mirror, it’s a good time to see who performed well and who struggled based on Pro Football Focus’ grades. We’re looking at the highest- and lowest-graded players on each side of the ball, while also highlighting a few notable players who may not have fallen into either category (min. 20 snaps)
Top 5 offense
Unsurprisingly, the Rams’ second-string linemen dominated the team’s top-graded players on offense. Dedich allowed zero pressures in two games, Leveston only allowed two in 73 pass-blocking snaps and Lampkin didn’t surrender a single one in his limited playing time. They all had run-blocking grades of 84.4 or better, too.
Edwards and Ferguson had the two highest receiving grades on the team, with Ferguson’s being 90.9 and Edwards’ 83.1. Ferguson’s playing time was limited but Edwards made a positive impact in the two games he played, scoring the game-winner against the Chargers.
Top 5 defense
Thomas had been playing well before getting hurt, recording one pressure and one tackle in 23 snaps played.
Valcarcel was on the field often, making 13 tackles with two misses. He was good in coverage, allowing just five catches for 27 yards.
Heflin and Murchison each had three pressures. Heflin made nine total tackles and batted one pass, as well.
Muhammad came alive in the final game, finishing the preseason with six pressures and a sack.
Bottom 5 offense
Of the players expected to make the 53-man roster, Limmer is the only one on this list. He was fine in pass protection, allowing just one pressure, but he had a disappointing 55.5 run-blocking grade.
Arcuri gave up three pressures but struggled in the run game, earning a grade of 52.2 in that department. Leglue was brought in only for the final preseason game and didn’t allow any pressures in his debut.
Covey didn’t drop any passes but his nine receptions, second-most on the team, only went for 76 yards, so he didn’t create many big plays.
Castles didn’t catch a pass this preseason and had one drop.
Bottom 5 defense
The biggest issue for many of these players was their run defense, all earning grades of 49.7 or lower. Terry had one pressure on 30 pass-rush snaps and five total tackles.
Jackson had three pressures and two sacks, per PFF, showing some potential in the final two games.
Pearcy didn’t convert any of his four pressures into a sack and he missed one tackle, as well.
Fields was already cut by the Rams after missing three tackles in the preseason and allowing seven catches for 55 yards.
Hawthorne had one pressure and two missed tackles in only 47 snaps played.
Other notables
Smith was a star in the first two preseason games, consistently making big plays for Los Angeles. In only two games, he caught seven passes on seven targets for 104 yards.
Bennett excelled for the Rams, as well, making three big-time throws with four turnover-worthy plays. He had a respectable 9.7-yard average depth of target, too.
Ingle was a heat-seeking missile all preseason, particularly in the final two games when he laid out quite a few ball carriers and prevented completions with his physicality.
Hunter showed what made him a fourth-round pick, forcing seven missed tackles and breaking off two runs of 10-plus yards with 88 yards after contact.
Paul and Dolac played solid as the top two linebackers for the Rams this preseason. Dolac didn’t miss a single tackle, while Paul missed two and allowed 52 yards in coverage.
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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams PFF grades: LA’s best and worst performers of the preseason
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
