Previewing the NFC West: Los Angeles Rams

Looking at the team with the brand new stadium. Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan. 3 years later - What is the verdict?

---

The definition of fall from grace, just 2 years ago the Rams were in the big game, considered favorites against the Patriots and now Buccaneers QB Tom Brady. Their loss in that game sparked a massive shift in LA’s fortunes, peaking in this years release of 26 year old RB Todd Gurley, once their face of the franchise and offensive superpower. The release of the former Offensive Player of the year, along with very questionable decisions like trading multiple 1st round picks for disgruntled CB Jalen Ramsey (who, to be fair, is an elite corner) have put the Rams in a precarious situation for the next couple years. Don’t forget giving an unproven Jared Goff $30+ million a year. This team is not talented enough to compete for a title, but isn’t bad enough to begin a rebuild. McVay’s squad, however, are still dangerous with a young QB, a young and talented head coach, two great WRs, and two of the best defensive players on the planet in Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. 

---

Key Arrivals and Departures

• Arrivals:

  • Leonard Floyd

  • Cam Akers

  • Van Jefferson

  • Terrell Lewis

• Departures:

  • Dante Fowler Jr.

  • Clay Matthews

  • Todd Gurley

  • Nickell Robey-Coleman

  • Cory Littleton

  • Eric Weddle

  • Greg Zuerlein

After releasing Clay Matthews who surprisingly gave them 8 sacks last season, bringing Floyd in was a great fit for that 3-4 scheme. Resigning Michael Brockers and bringing in A’Shawn Robinson, as well as drafting Lewis was very impressive all in one offseason. Their DL looks to be elite with the best defensive player in the league in Donald, two great speed rushers in Lewis and Floyd, and 2 great 3-4 lineman in Brockers and Robinson. 

Their WR corps looks pretty good as well. Kupp is one of the best slot receivers in the league when healthy and Robert Woods is still a productive #1 WR. Jefferson was one of my favorites out of the draft, I like his route-running and versatility. 

But by far the most impactful thing for the Rams this offseason in my opinion was drafting Cam Akers in the 2nd round. 

McVay’s offense is predicated on the running game, and even with a decent to average OL, Gurley not being healthy handicapped that offense. They drafted a late round RB last year in Darrell Henderson, but he is not a long term fit.

Akers is. His stats do not show the full story. Akers was behind an absolutely abysmal offensive line and scheme at FSU, he was clearly their best offensive player and was never utilized like it. Regardless, Akers physically was arguably the most talented RB in the class. He packs a punch with a 212 pound frame, and he’s got the burners too, he can cut, in general as a RB he is everything you want physically. The Rams look to be going into a RB-committee set up, but Akers, make no mistake, is the long term fit here. He is a devastating one-cut runner and when he is utilized correctly is dangerous. The only bad part of Akers game is his pass protection, but he has plenty of room to get better in that area. He will take on a big role his rookie season, and his ceiling is sky-high. His arrival is going to be huge for Goff, and frankly that entire offense, he is the most dynamic RB on their roster regardless of if he starts week one or not. Akers was considered a 1st round talent before this past season, where his production fell because of a bad OL and bad scheme as already mentioned.

X-Factor:

Cam Akers for reasons above. If he gets the opportunity, he will unlock their offense. 

3 moves to look into:

Alec Ogletree, LB

Ogletree has a history with the Rams, and would come into the locker room and instantly be a starter next to Samson Ebukam at ILB. The Rams have an elite front seven already, Ogletree would only reinforce it.

Graham Gano, K

They let their stalwart kicker Greg Zuerlein walk this offseason after the man known as Greg the Leg had a bad season. But they are now left with a rookie kicker who cannot be depended on to start the season, I would look to see them sign a good veteran kicker like Gano. 

Eric Reid, S

Johnson III and the 2nd year safety out of Washington, Taylor Rapp, are not bad at all, especially Johnson at S. But Reid adds a bonus of being able to play at LB, which is desperately needed, and he brings an enforcing mentality. Rapp is still learning and needs more experience, so a veteran like Reid would really help, don’t forget, he has the added incentive of coming back to the NFC West to play us.

Ceiling: 9-7
Floor: 5-11

Summary:

The Rams, if they can properly use their weapons on offense can make some noise. It will be tough in the best division in football. Their ceiling is sneaking into the wild-card, assuming Seattle or Arizona does not fulfill expectations. If they hit their floor, this would probably be due to Goff taking another step back as a QB, and or a major injury. In almost any other division, the Rams have a much better shot at a wild-card, but not here.

At the end of the day, the Rams are trying to retool/reload in a situation where any other team would rebuild. Their cap situation is mangled, they don’t have their picks, and they are too good to tank, too bad to compete. The smart decision would be finding a trade partner for Goff, getting a boatload of picks for Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, and rebuilding with McVay handpicking his team, just as Shanahan did.