The 2019 season was a disappointing season for the Los Angeles Rams, finishing 9-7 and missing the postseason, after reaching Super Bowl LII in 2018. This was the first season the Rams missed the postseason under head coach Sean McVay. They were eliminated from contention in Week 16 with a heartbreaking loss against their California NFC West rival, the San Francisco 49ers. Now, the Rams look for 2020 as a fresh start with a new uniform and logo scheme, stadium, and players to their roster.
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Offseason Recap
Under McVay, the Rams have typically scored in free agency, notably signing All-Pro defensive end Aaron Donald to a six-year, $135 million extension in 2018 and trading for Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey. However, these financial decisions bit the Rams during this year’s offseason.
After a rough season in 2019, the Rams traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Houston Texans for a 2020 second-round pick, in which they selected wide receiver, Van Jefferson, with the 57th pick. Jefferson could pan out as a success for the Rams, but as of now, there is no clear third receiving target asides from Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. They will be returning their entire offensive line after re-signing veteran Andrew Whitworth and Austin Blythe, which were good decisions due to their experience, especially for Blythe’s ability to play guard and center. Cutting Todd Gurley was a tough decision, but necessary due to his poor health and the ability to save money by doing so.
Now, questions arise when looking at the Rams’ defense as they lost several key pieces, including Cory Littleton to the Las Vegas Raiders, Dante Fowler Jr. to the Atlanta Falcons, and Eric Weddle to retirement. There is also a question mark on special teams. After dominance from All-Pro duo Johnny Hekker and Greg Zuerlein, the Pro Bowl kicker signed with the Dallas Cowboys in the offseason. To attempt at replacing these holes, the Rams signed outside linebacker Leonard Floyd and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson. They later drafted Alabama defensive end Terrell Lewis and defensive back Terrell Burgess. In addition, hiring Kevin O’Connell as the Rams’ new offensive coordinator may raise eyebrows due to low numbers with the Washington Football Team, but he excels in quarterback development, an area that the Rams need after Jared Goff‘s struggles. This would take the pressure off McVay so he can focus more on the defense.
Offense
In 2019, Goff lead an offense that ranked 11th in the league in points per game. While he finished third in the league in yards, he only threw 22 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, which showed his inconsistency and lack of confidence dropping back behind center. The Rams have traditionally been a pass first offense under McVay, but with O’Connell taking offensive duties, they could include their new running back core in packages with more screen plays, similar to Devonta Freeman‘s style. They drafted running back Cam Akers out of Florida State to replace Gurley and his catching abilities could allow the coaching staff to utilize him in many ways possible.
They also drafted Jefferson as a potential replacement for Cooks and has reportedly performed well in training camp and their scrimmages. Xavier Jones has been reportedly stepping up during training camp with Darrell Henderson Jr.’s injury, which means that he could take that fourth running back spot. If Goff regains his confidence and continues to build that trust with Jefferson, the Rams would have a dangerous bunch with Woods and Kupp, who is arguably one of the league’s most underrated players.
Expect the Rams to utilize their tight ends more in fixed packages or play-action ones as they anticipate carrying four tight ends on the roster. While the Rams will be returning their offensive line, they have not made any significant splash to greatly improve it, but the market has been on the slow side for the linemen. They are also hungry for revenge after a disappointing 2019 season and the momentum of playing a new stadium and play caller could help motivate them, even with no fans allowed this season in Los Angeles.
Defense
The defense will look different and might even be less experienced this season. Losing Fowler and Littleton brings several questions about the Rams’ depth chart at linebacker and edge rushers due to their inexperience or struggles in 2019. However, they still have Donald and Ramsey in their lineup, which means that you still can’t count them out of playoff contention.
In the third round, the Rams drafted Lewis with the 84th pick and Burgess 20 picks later. Both are potential steals. They will play a big role in 2020, attempting to excel as Fowler successor. During free agency, the Rams signed former Chicago Bear Floyd, who will likely take over Littleton’s spot. In his first four seasons with the Bears, Floyd has 18.5 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and nine passes deflected. Burgess will look to beef up the Rams’ secondary, with questions and concerns regarding the new front seven.
The Rams did re-sign defensive tackle Michael Brockers to a three-year extension to bolster the front seven as much as possible, especially after losing Fowler and Littleton. However, signing former Detroit Lion Robinson gives the Rams more options for defensive rotations up front due to his position versatility (can play defensive end and nose tackle) and Brockers’ flexibility. Expect the Rams to focus more on their run defense due to the holes at linebacker while running a 3-4 defense under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who was the linebackers’ coach under Vic Fangio.
Predicting the 53-man Roster
QB (2) – Jared Goff, John Wolford
This one is obvious, but Goff is the starting quarterback, looking to redeem himself from a disappointing year in 2019. While the Rams carried three quarterbacks last season, it is harder to do so this year with a new offensive scheme and several additions to the roster. Bryce Perkins will likely head to the practice squad.
RB (4) – Cam Akers, Malcolm Brown, Darrell Henderson Jr., Xavier Jones
The Rams drafted Akers for one main reason: to become Gurley’s successor. Henderson is returning for his second season and has more experience and strength over Akers, but is currently hurt with a nagging hamstring injury. He is expected to be ready by the Rams’ season opener, but expect Akers to start in the backfield. If anything, expect the Rams to mix up their tailback rotations and give plenty of carries to Henderson, Akes, and Brown. Jones is having a solid training camp, so expect him to make the roster.
WR (6) – Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds, Van Jefferson, Nsimba Webster, Trishton Jackson
Woods, Kupp, and Josh Reynolds are all locked in as starters. The question is how many wide receives the Rams will keep on their roster. Webster is that potential fifth receiver spot, but since he is typically used in special teams, it is likely that the Rams will keep Jackson, who had more snaps in training camp than the other rookies.
TE (4) – Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett, Johnny Mundt, Brycen Hopkins
Higbee, Everett, and Mundt’s spots are all locked in. Note that while the Rams do not have an official fullback, they do utilize their tight ends as fullbacks in several of their plays and formations. For depth purposes, expect rookie Hopkins to make the team as he is having a solid training camp and the Rams utilize their tight ends in various ways that mix up defenses.
OL (9) – Andrew Whitworth, Rob Havenstein, Bobby Evans, Joseph Noteboom, Austin Corbett, David Edwards, Tremayne Anchrum, Austin Blythe, Brian Allen
Whitworth signed a three-year extension and will be back as the anchor of the offensive line at left tackle. Havenstein will likely start at right tackle and both Edwards and Corbett will start at guard. The question is who will start where. Blythe was re-signed for another year and will start at center, but can also play guard as well.
DL (4) – Aaron Donald, A’Shawn Robinson, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Greg Gaines
Do not let the low number fool you. Traditionally, teams carry around 7-9 defensive linemen, but the Rams’ line is versatile and can play on the line and as an edge defender. All-Pro Donald will lead the front seven and Robinson will slide in if he is healthy by their season opener and Gaines and Joseph-Day both return.
EDGE (2) – Michael Brockers, Morgan Fox
Michael Brockers signed a three-year extension to remain the Rams’ go-to in blitzing packages, despite only having three sacks in 2019. Fox can play linebacker and defensive end, but expect him to focus more as an edge defender due to his position versatility, especially after the team lost Fowler
LB (8) – Micah Kiser, Leonard Floyd, Samson Ebukam, Travin Howard, Kenny Young, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Terrell Lewis, Christian Rozeboom
Losing Littleton in free agency was huge, so the Rams have to make up the loss with their new linebacker core. Kiser is coming off a solid training camp and Floyd is coming off a decent year with a stacked Bears’ defense. This linebacker group is better at run defense, so expect McVay to focus on blitzing with an occasional drop back in their 3-4 lineup.
CB (6) – Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill, David Long Jr., Darious Williams, Adonis Alexander, Donte Deayon
Ramsey’s absence in 2019 was a critical role for the Rams as they were ranked 21st in defensive rating at 86.8. Ramsey will definitely make a big impact and Hill, Long, and Williams are locked in for roster spots. There are questions on who will make the final two cornerback spots, but Alexander and Deayon are both experienced and were on the team last year.
SAF (5) – John Johnson III, Taylor Rapp, Nick Scott, Terrell Burgess, Jordan Fuller
Johnson’s return is big for the Rams as he will be the starting safety, alongside Rapp, if he is healthy by week one. Burgess is a potential steal after being drafted in the third round as the 104th pick. Fuller is expected to make the final spot as a 2020 sixth-round pick and Scott is also a lock.
ST (3) – Lirim Hajrullahu, Johnny Hekker, Jake McQuaide
Zuerlein’s departure was huge and a big blow for the Rams’ special teams unit. Punter Hekker will return with long snapper McQuaide. With their season just around the corner, it’s a bit concerning that there is no decision on who will start at kicker. Sam Sloman, Austin MacGinnis, and Hajrullahu have all been inconsistent during training camp. However, Hajrullahu has had slightly better numbers, so expect the Rams to go with him in week one.
COVID (1) – Chandler Brewer (OT)
2020 Outlook
Will the Rams look like the 2018 Super Bowl caliber squad? Not likely. Will they have a better year than 2019? They could, but this 2020 projected roster is realistically a hit or miss. The Rams did lose several key pieces but could either go 8-8 or 9-7 and grab one of the three wild card spots (more likely the final one) or underperform and finish at 6-10 or even 5-11. If the defense holds on, successfully pressures opposing quarterbacks and Goff regains his confidence, the Rams will make the postseason. Otherwise, do not expect them to do much in a tough NFC West. However, the Rams are due for a comeback season and while they are not necessarily Super Bowl contenders, they could sneak in as one of the wild card spots.
Season Prediction: 8-8 and snag the final wild card spot.
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