Could Jordan Whittington be more than just a special teams player and reserve wideout?
Players don’t become household names in training camp, but these practices are the launching pad to some players’ careers. Whether they’re trying to earn a spot on the roster or rise up the depth chart, training camp is when players begin to separate themselves from the pack.
The Los Angeles Rams hope several key players do just that at Loyola Marymount University in the coming weeks as the season approaches, helping their case for the 53-man roster. It’s still early but these six players have a chance to break out this summer.
WR Jordan Whittington
Whittington didn’t get many opportunities as a rookie last season but when he did get on the field, he took advantage. He caught 22 of his 28 targets for 293 yards, posting single-game performances of 62 yards, 89 yards and 86 yards for the Rams.
Cooper Kupp, Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson are all gone, opening the door for Whittington to have a bigger impact this season. He’s a candidate to play much more snaps behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, subbing in and out with Tutu Atwell at the WR3 spot.
He’s off to a good start, making a highlight-reel catch in double coverage during the team’s first practice on Wednesday. If he continues to flash that type of playmaking ability, he’ll be on the field more often than not.
LB Nate Landman
Interestingly, Sean McVay mentioned the communication between Kobie Turner and Landman during Wednesday’s post-practice press conference, an indication that he’ll be working with the first-team defense throughout camp. Sports Illustrated’s Brock Vierra also mentioned Landman as a potential difference-maker on defense, writing that he “continually snuffed out the run and play action.”
The Rams need someone to step up at inside linebacker and Landman could be their three-down guy this season. Omar Speights and Chris Paul Jr. are in the mix to play meaningful snaps, too, but Landman might be the frontrunner for the top spot on the depth chart.
NT Poona Ford
Braden Fiske said during Tuesday’s opening press conference that Ford could be the Rams’ missing piece on defense, highlighting his ability to stop the run and his “juice” in the pass game as a rusher.
“I mean, he’s dominant in the run game and he’s got some juice in the pass game,” Fiske said. “I think that’s something that people don’t see a lot of. He’s twitchy and he gets moving in the pass. I’m excited to add him to this front. I think he could be a key piece and maybe even the missing piece that we needed. I’m just excited to see him go forward through training camp and working with him.”
The Rams got gashed on the ground last season, particularly by Saquon Barkley. Inside runs were particularly tough for the defense to stop but with the addition of Ford, that problem may be solved.
Ford isn’t a young, somewhat unproven player like some other names on this list but Ford has a chance to become a Pro Bowler for the Rams and a star of camp.
TE Terrance Ferguson
Ferguson was the most athletic tight end in the 2025 draft so he has a ton of upside as a receiver. He’ll need to adjust to the physicality of the NFL, especially as a blocker, but his receiving skill set is something to be excited about.
With the likelihood that the Rams will deploy more 12 personnel packages by getting Tyler Higbee and Ferguson on the field together, there’s a ton of potential on offense with this tandem. He’s the most promising tight end the Rams have had since drafting Gerald Everett in 2017 and there are going to be more than a few big plays created by Ferguson throughout camp.
CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
Forbes added some weight to his frame this offseason as he enters his first full season with the Rams and he’s coming off an encouraging performance in OTAs. The cornerback group has plenty of room for movement behind the top starters of Ahkello Witherspoon, Cobie Durant and Darious Williams, so Forbes could wind up as the CB4.
He battled through a difficult start to his career in Washington but Forbes could be ready to become the ball hawk in the NFL that he was in college – if he can capitalize on the opportunity in front of him with the Rams. He’s someone to watch throughout camp as a potential breakout candidate in the secondary.
S Kamren Kinchens
Kinchens tied for the team lead last season with four interceptions, returning one for a franchise-record 103-yard pick-six. Like Forbes, Kinchens was a ball hawk in college with 11 interceptions in his last two years alone, so he’s a natural turnover machine in the secondary.
Now that he’s gained some comfort and gotten his footing as a pro, the game should be slowing down for him – particularly in coverage. If he sees the field better this summer and takes more conservative angles to the ball, he’ll improve significantly as a defender.
