With the offseason program wrapped and training camp coming up on July 23, theRams.com will be taking an updated look at positions on the team's roster.
Kicker, punter and special teams overall conclude the series.
Key offseason moves
- Signed K Tanner Brown to a Reserve/Future contract on Jan. 18. The move ensured Brown would be part of the 90-man offseason roster and get a chance to compete for the starting job. Brown was also part of the kicker competition last year.
- Drafted Stanford K Joshua Karty 209th overall in the sixth round of this year's draft. Karty became the other piece to the competition puzzle in April and, barring an unforeseen addition, will compete with Brown for the starting job.
Who's under contract
2023 stats: Did not record any stats; was waived before the start of the regular season.
2023 stats: Averaged 49.2 yards per punt across 63 punts, with 20 of them landing inside the opponent's 20-yard line, while playing in all 17 regular season games. Also averaged 64.5 yards on 82 kickoff attempts, with 73 of them resulting in touchbacks. Was team's holder on field goal attempts, and also played in the Rams' wild card playoff game.
2023 stats: Converted 23 of 27 field goal attempts (85.2%) and all 21 extra point attempts in his final collegiate season with Stanford (12 games).
2023 stats: 1 total tackle; playing in first 13 games before suffering neck injury which placed him on Injured Reserve.
What's next
Determining the next kicker, and working through the new kickoff format. The Rams did not bring back Brett Maher this offseason, so it's between Karty and Brown for the starting job. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see how Los Angeles handles the hybrid kickoff format, especially with special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn calling it an "offense-to-defense" play. The format will present different variables for how they handle who returns kickoffs, and Blackburn also mentioned collaborating with the offensive and defensive coaches on concepts that could translate.
