In the Rams' first season in L.A. they struggled big time being unable to score due to terrible coaching and weak quarterbacks as well as a no-run game or offensive line. Jared Goff will be thrown into the fire this year as he looks to work with the youngest head coach in the modern era in Sean McVay. The defence still looks good but with no quarterback this team will once again be one of the teams not qualifying for the post-season.
Arrivals/Departures:
Arrivals: Connor Barwin, Lance Dunbar, Nickell Robey-Coleman, John Sullivan, Kayvon Webster, Andrew Whitworth, Tyrunn Walker, Robert Woods
Departures: Tim Barnes, Kenny Britt, Benny Cunningham, William Hayes, Case Keenum, Lance Kendricks, TJ McDonald, Brian Quick, Coty Sensabaugh, Eugene Sims
Offence:
Last year's first-overall pick Jared Goff will be given the starting quarterback job from the start of the season after backing up Case Keenum although he struggled in the games he appeared in. With Sean Mannion as the backup, the Rams better hope Goff can start living up to his potential or another terrible year in L.A. will occur. After a tremendous rookie season, Todd Gurley was terrible last year, partly due to a terrible offensive line but Gurley will need to improve no matter what line he is running behind. Kenny Britt was the bright side of the offence last season but they let him go and brought in the unproven Robert Woods to be the number one receiver. Tavon Austin can be very good in the slot if used properly but last year he was not. Cooper Kupp was drafted in the third round and he could be a steal proving he can be a the number one receiver in his rookie year. The tight end spot will be a competition at camp between Gerald Everett, Tyler Higbee and Cory Harkey who are all backups. Andrew Whitworth is one of the best left tackles in the NFL but he might not even be able to contribute with such a weak offensive line. John Sullivan is another addition to the line and brings a veteran presence. The rest of the starters will be Jamon Brown, Rob Havenstein and Rodger Saffold.
Defence:
The defence is good and should win the Rams a couple games but not good enough to make up for a terrible offence. Aaron Donald dominates the trenches as the best interior lineman in the NFL and after only three seasons he should keep getting better. Alongside Donald will be Ethan Westbrooks and Michael Brockers as the team transfers from a 4-3 defence to a 3-4. Robert Quinn is a very good player but his production as steadily dropped over the past years from his career high in 2013 when he got 19.0 sacks. Connor Barwin also comes over as a good pass rusher from Philadelphia but he is past his prime. Alec Ogletree will be the leader of the linebackers as he is a tackling machine and former safety-turned-linebacker Mark Barron, who has a bright future, will be the other starter. Trumaine Johnson is the secondary's best player and will shadow receivers on the franchise tag with EJ Gaines and Kayvon Webster competing for the other starting corner back job. Nickell Robey-Coleman will be the nickel corner and he is one of the best nickel corners in the league. The free safety position belongs to Lamarcus Joyner and the strong safety belongs to Mo Alexander.
Special Teams:
Greg Zuerlein was an average kicker last year so the Rams brought him back but they will expect more this upcoming season. Johnny Hekker is the best punter in the NFL and for a team that punts all the time he could be very valuable. Tavon Austin is among the most electric returners in the NFL capping off one of the best special teams units in the NFL.
Starters:
Offence
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Defence
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Robert Woods
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Ethan Westbrooks
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Tavon Austin
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Aaron Donald
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Cooper Kupp
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Michael Brockers
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Andrew Whitworth
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Connor Barwin
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Rodger Saffold
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Robert Quinn
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John Sullivan
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Alec Ogletree
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Rob Havenstein
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Mark Barron
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Jamon Brown
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Trumaine Johnson
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Tyler Higbee
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Mo Alexander
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Jared Goff
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Lamarcus Joyner
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Todd Gurley
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EJ Gaines
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44. Gerald Everett
69. Cooper Kupp
91. John Johnson
117. Josh Reynolds
125. Samson Ebukam
189. Tanzel Smart
206. Sam Rogers
234. Ejuan Price
Top 10 Players:
10. Mark Barron
9. Michael Brockers
8. Connor Barwin
7. Tavon Austin
6. Alec Ogletree
5. Trumaine Johnson
4. Todd Gurley
3. Andrew Whitworth
2. Robert Quinn
1. Aaron Donald
Season Prediction: 3-13 (4th in NFC West)
Last Year: 4-12
Photo credit for Andrew Whitworth goes to https://www.si.com/. Todd Gurley goes to http://bleacherreport.com/. Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn goes to http://www.espn.com/.
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