LOS ANGELES – The first practice in pads at Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union featured a heavy dose of the run game, which was by design according to head coach Sean McVay. That led to plenty of opportunities for new Rams defensive tackle Poona Ford to showcase his abilities in that phase of the defense. Of course, there were still some notable plays and moments from the offense, too, including a healthy dose of Puka Nacua.
Staff writer Wyatt Miller watched the offense, while senior staff writer Stu Jackson watched the defense. Notes on each unit below.
Offense
1) 1s versus 1s gives both sides competitive reps in pads. Most of Monday's practice reps featured the first-team offense going against the first-team defense, a departure from last week's tendency to have the twos go against the ones, and vice-versa. It resulted in some tight-window throws and physical battles in the trenches.
"Now we're going ones on ones, we're getting a true feel of what the game is going to feel like," said Kobie Turner.
2) A run-heavy day gives opportunities to Rams' backs. L.A. pounded the rock all day, giving Kyren Williams, Jarquez Hunter and Blake Corum opportunities to show their skills. All three displayed quick feet, toughness through contact and high-level vision that resulted in some nice gains before contact drew the whistle.
Afterward, McVay said Hunter is "heavy through the hole" and is continuing to improve. He also loved how Williams set the tone and was "pleased" with Corum, who hit holes and juked defenders with jump cuts more than once.
3) Nacua catches all. It was another fantastic day for the young superstar, as Nacua showed command over the middle and outside the hashes. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo targeted him often and Nacua snatched everything that was thrown his way. After practice, he was showered with chants and pleas for autographs from the crowd at Loyola Marymount University.
4) Konata Mumpfield continues to get open. On one pass early in the session, Mumpfield created a sea of separation to haul in an out route from Stetson Bennett. The rookie out of Pittsburgh has continuously showed a proclivity for getting open and catching the ball with his hands.
5) Xavier Smith makes nice downfield grabs. Smith is a speedster, but he can also get open and catch the ball in tight spaces. He carved out a space in the middle of the end zone for a touchdown thrown by Bennett and then capped off practice with a deep crosser that Bennett layered over a defender. A flag was called which brought the play back, but Smith's dynamic abilities were on display nonetheless.
Defense
6) Ford shines. Again, this can be attributed to a run-focused day, but a Ford run stop was written in my notebook multiple times.
"You saw his worth today," defensive end Kobie Turner said. "I was over there trying some of the things that he did, and not to too much success, but I'mma work on it. But just the way that he commands attention, the way that he defeats double teams, and then obviously he has a lot of pass rush ability that's going to be able to help us as well."
7) Make way for Verse. If Ford wasn't first to get to the running back, Verse was the next-closest, whether by winning on the edge or taking advantage of the attention commanded by Ford.
8) Correctly toe-in the line. The delicate balance when the pads come on in camp is being physical without causing injury, and McVay felt that etiquette was achieved on Monday.
9) Tyler Davis is a name to watch for 2025. The second-year defensive end showed impressive power in individual and team drills, and was later lauded by Turner for his consistency. McVay likewise name-dropped him after Monday's practice.
"Tyler Davis is another guy that deserves to be mentioned, because he has really shown why he's a total stud and guy that's going to be a major factor for us," McVay said.
10) The benefit of the top four in the defensive line rotation being "interchangeable." The depth within that group and the options it gives the defense is particularly noticeable, especially after Monday.
