Who will be Rams’ breakout player of 2024?

Who will become the next household name in Los Angeles?

Training camp is just around the corner for the 2024 Los Angeles Rams. We will soon have insights into a new-look defense in a post-Aaron Donald world. The offense left off last season playing at a high level, but it remains to be seen if they can continue that momentum early into this year.

Who will be the breakout star of the 2024 Rams? Could it be a newcomer—whether through free agency or the draft—such as Jared Verse, Kamren Curl, or Colby Parkinson? Can a young player that impressed in recent seasons find enough growth to take another step forward this year, like Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Davis Allen, or Cobie Durant?

Already broken out; ineligible for this discussion:

Matthew Stafford, QB

Cooper Kupp, WR

Puka Nacua, WR

Darious Williams, CB

Sean McVay, head coach

Potential breakout stars of 2024:

Kobie Turner, DE

The Rams need a new star on defense without Aaron Donald. Kobie Turner was the next best player on LA’s defense last year, though he has some questions to answer before we view him as a building block for this team.

Why was the second half of 2023 much more productive for him than to start his rookie campaign? Sure, it takes time to find your footing as a rookie; however, is this sample size variance or a sign of things to come in 2024? Does Turner have more room for growth?

Kamren Curl, DB

While there is a growing wealth of young talent on the Los Angeles defense, veteran leadership could be paramount to getting the most out of this group in the upcoming season. Curl brings plenty of starting experience from his days with the Washington Commanders, and it’s possible that we haven’t yet seen the best football of his career. It’s also positive that his signing should be one of the best free agent bargains for the Rams.

Blake Corum, RB

I didn’t put Kyren Williams on the ineligible list because he probably needs another sound year of production before being viewed as a top running back in the NFL. Unfortunately for Williams, he has a suspect injury history and the Rams drafted a new running back this year that is superior to Williams in nearly every aspect: strength, speed, quickness, and college success.

It’s easy to look at Williams and expect him to fare as well in 2024 as he did in 2023, but Corum could step in as the better player from day one and will be waiting in the wings until Williams misses time due to injury.

Jared Verse, OLB

The NFC West is littered with athletic quarterbacks that can make plays with their legs—and that puts pressure on players at the edge of the defense to keep contain and chase down these signal callers. Jared Verse seems to be an ideal complement to Byron Young, and he’ll bring a physical and skilled presence to what has been a void at OLB in recent years for LA.

If Verse can demonstrate more pass rushing prowess than Rams fans grew accustomed to seeing from the likes of Leonard Floyd, Dante Fowler, and Michael Hoecht, then he’ll be a star sooner rather than later.

Cobie Durant, CB

This time last year I would have said (and did say) that Cobie Durant would be the breakout candidate on the defensive side of the ball in 2023 for LA. Whether due to a position change to slot corner or another reason, Durant spent most of the 2024 season in a sophomore slump.

With that said, Durant still has the ball skills that stood out as a rookie. He’s a solid coverage player on the outside, but he needs to improve in the tackling department—and that’s something he could always struggle with given his slight frame.

If we see rookie season Durant this year, he could push veteran Tre White for playing time on the perimeter and grow into one of the more well known players on the Rams defense.

Who did I miss?

Let us know your 2024 Rams breakout candidates in the comments below. Do you think Colby Parkinson can bring stability to the tight end room, or could Davis Allen surprise by winning the primary starting role? Any thoughts on special teams with new kicker Joshua Karty?