Los Angeles Rams rookie defensive again Kamren Kinchens was named the NFC’s Defensive Participant of the Week for Week 9, the NFL introduced on Wednesday.
Kinchens recorded two interceptions within the fourth quarter towards the Seattle Seahawks. Each interceptions got here within the purple zone, with the primary one returned 103 yards for a landing. The returned interception for a landing was the longest defensive rating in Rams franchise historical past.
Kinchens performed 51.4 % of snaps, subbing in for Kam Curl who handled an damage all through the sport. It was a breakout efficiency for Kinchens whom Los Angeles chosen No. 99 total within the 2024 NFL Draft.
That is the third league honor for the Rams protection as Cobie Durant was named the NFC Defensive Participant of the Week for Week 7 whereas Jared Verse was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.
Within the staff’s first 12 months with out Aaron Donald anchoring the protection, defensive coordinator Chris Shula and his younger unit have progressively gotten higher every week. Kinchens performed sparingly to start the 12 months, however has began to indicate flashes within the secondary and may very well be in line for extra snaps transferring ahead.
Popping out of Miami, Kinchens was lauded as a security prospect due to his potential to generate turnovers and play bodily both on the line of scrimmage or in protection. Whereas he was dinged for his lack of top-end pace and athleticism, Los Angeles has usually gravitated towards gamers who know what spots to be in on any given play.
Though the secondary as a complete is younger and inexperienced, gamers exterior of Kinchens have began to come back into their very own and earned the belief of the teaching workers. For instance, relative unknown gamers like Josh Wallace and Jaylen McCollough have additionally made an influence and are additionally in line for expanded roles.
Whereas Kinchens nonetheless has some growing to do, he’s undoubtedly earned extra taking part in time as he’s proven he can change the tenor of a recreation along with his ball-hawking skills.
Rams’ Jared Verse and Braden Fiske proceed to steer rookies in whole pressures
Kamren Kinchens and the secondary wasn’t the one defensive unit to placed on a present because the line of defense additionally wreaked havoc towards the Seahawks. Braden Fiske and Verse got here up large speeding Geno Smith, recording three whole sacks between them.
By 9 weeks of the 2024 season, Verse and Fiske proceed to steer all rookies in whole pressures with the previous main the pack.
