RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe Los Angeles Rams are kicking off training camp and with a new season on the horizon, players are getting ready to fight for a championship and their financial futures.
Several of those players were from the 2023 draft class. With no extensions in hand, every player from that class is entering the final year of their rookie deal. Since the team is known for making deals this time of year, here are the five players from the 2023 class who are most likely to get an extension.
Kobie Turner
Turner is a captain, leader, and the team's unquestionable force on the line of scrimmage. He's in the prime of his career; he's one of the best humans off the field, and he's likely to have a career year with the help surrounding him.
His value will continue to rise if the Rams let him hit the 2026 season without a deal in hand. Thus, Turner is the top candidate to get an extension.
Byron Young
Young's first Pro Bowl selection in 2025 has likely earned him a nine-figure deal with the Rams or someone else after the season, as long as he stays prolific and healthy as the pass rusher market balloons towards astronomical figures. Young is set to shine as he'll get advantageous matchups due to the attention teams have to dedicate to Turner and Myles Garrett.
However, Young feels more like an in-season extension. He'll get his due, but in time.
Warren McClendon and Steve Avila
While this could be classified as cheating, let me explain. I believe the Rams will extend an offensive lineman. I think it will be McClendon, but I wanted to add Avila in case Keagan Trost surprises and proves he can play tackle at the NFL level. That's something I think Trost could do, which would then make every point about McClendon null and void.
I had to cover all possibilities, especially when it comes to the Rams' front office. However, the Rams should extend McClendon. Right tackle isn't an overtly expensive position; the team could likely strike a solid deal that gives McClendon the money he wants, without hurting the bank, and he's proven he's already one of the best right tackles in the NFL.
He keeps Matthew Stafford safe. That keeps the Rams alive in every ball game. McClendon is due.
Puka Nacua
Nacua should have already signed his deal, but his off-field behavior has likely prevented him from doing so. The Rams never hesitated to give Cooper Kupp his money; thus, this is not an issue with how the front office views receivers.
Nacua is in the midst of a legal battle. Once that concludes, as long as Nacua is not found liable, he's likely to get his money then. The Rams have time, and Nacua needs to prove he's worth the risk. Nacua has already taken action towards self-improvement and has arrived at camp.
Ethan Evans
Evans is likely to be another in-season extension candidate, but his work is untouchable. Outside of a select few moments, Evans has been the definition of reliable and championship-level. His work has saved the Rams on a multitude of occasions, and despite overall issues with the special teams unit, Evans has never let his performances suffer.
Even when Evans has an error, it's still within the smallest of margins a human can achieve when chasing perfection. With a new unit and coaching staff, Evans should be even better, and after signing Joe Cardona, one of the NFL's best long-snappers, with a deal that makes him the third-highest-paid long snapper in the league, the team is clearly willing to spend money on its Achilles heel.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 5 Rams from 2023 draft class who are most likely to get extensions
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