What if the Los Angeles Rams had a player with a long history of both punt and kickoff returns, that at the risk of being over dramatic, is just languishing on the practice squad? Brennan Presley is on the Rams’ practice squad and he could be the answer to rekindle some explosivity to their return game if they call him up.
It is only Week 5 and the L.A. special teams unit is already in disarray. It’s not a new topic, it feels like a year-to-year discussion since Sean McVay parted ways with John Fassell
after the 2019 season. Fans have been weighing inon the current regime since early spring and TST has had plenty to say about it.
The Rams coverage units are 30th in punt return average allowed (14.4) and 22nd in kickoffs (27.0). Return units rank 18th for punts (9.0) and 31st in kickoffs (21.9).
While the Rams have made a concerted effort to shore upleaky coverage with outside players, they don’t appear to have done the same due diligence in the return game.
Signed by the Rams in 2025, out of the undrafted ranks. 24 years old and diminutive in stature, 5’ 8” 175 lb. Left Oklahoma State at or towards the top of their all-time receiving, all-purpose and return lists
Since he didn’t get into a regular season game in 2025, to grade and project Presley, fans have to go by his work and numbers from college days at Oklahoma State. He started in 44 of 63 games played and left as OSU’s all-time leader in pass receptions and towards the top in all receiving categories, chalking up 315 catches for 3315 yards and 23 scores. To compliment those receiving yards, he averaged over 1000 yards per season in all-purpose production, chipping in 160 yards rushing, 1427 in kickoff return yardage, and 240 yards on punt returns.
Presley posted strong athletic testing numbers at the Big 12 Pro Day. To go along with very good long speed (4.46) he showed plus burst, balance, flexibility, change of direction (6.71 shuttle) and short-area agility (4.07 3cone) to go along with very good long speed. His ability to run with the ball stands out. A jitterbug style with slippery-fast change of direction and makes his cuts at speed. If given sliver of space, he seems to always beat the first tackler, played running back in high school and runs with willing physicality for a small player.
Presley is not what I would grade as a “can’t miss” returner, but does bring the right skillset and background. His darting open-field style hasn’t been seen a pro game, but he’s looked solid in preseason work. Because of his ability with ball in his hands, he does double duty as a receiver and his traits carry over to both. Oklahoma State flooded him with a lot of short/mid range routes to utilize that advantage. He was predominantly a slot receiver, but also saw reps outside, in bunch sets, and in motion. He came to L.A. needing to expand his route tree, but showed off good hands, ball tracking, and body control to reel in imperfect passes. Like most small receivers, he’ll need to adjust physical press coverage and could have issues at the catch point against bigger, longer secondary players. He does have a good feel for soft areas in zones and works back to his quarterback when flushed from the pocket.
At a very good price, Presley can wear a lot of hats as a versatile special teams piece piece to go along with work on offense. In fact, during his first three college seasons, he not only worked as a returner, but played on coverage units as a gunner as well. He was lauded by coaches for his work ethic, leadership and competitive juices.
Are the Rams ready/willing to make this decision?
Probably not. Just a week ago, we fans found out how much weight should be given to what L.A. special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone offers on the unit’s progress, or lack thereof.. In a 10/1 Thursday presser, Ventrone gave Xavier Smith, the Rams primary punt returner for three seasons, his public support and 24 hours later, the XMan was jettisoned.While very few fans would disagree with the move, how the Rams handled it does cause some raised eyebrows. Sean McVay wasted no time in naming Alex Bachman as the new returner, deep on both kickoffs and punts.
In all fairness, grading Bachman on one game is a tiny sample, but the film of the Eagle game left a lot to be desired. After nine seasons, his only playing in 24 total games, with 27 punt returns (22 last year) and eight kickoff returns doesn’t inspire much confidence. Last Sunday, I offered six candidatesfor the Rams return game and said this about the Rans decision to install Bachman as of now, the primary kick returner,
“…I have to wonder how many would consider this move an upgrade. Although Bachman fielded a fair amount of kicks for the Las Vegas Raiders last year, he does not have a history as a returner., nor is he known as an open-field runner. His production was only mediocre It appears a lateral move, at best.”
The Rams need to see what they’ve got with Brennan Presley. The status quo is not making anything better.
