The Los Angeles Rams went into the 2019 draft with very few pressing needs, if any. Sure, they could’ve used a nose tackle, some offensive line depth and maybe an inside linebacker, but if they didn’t come out of the draft with any of those positions, they would’ve been just fine.
That’s the mark of a team that’s incredibly deep and complete.
They did wind up taking a nose tackle, two offensive linemen and an inside linebacker, while also adding a dynamic tailback and some secondary help. Their eight selections in the draft helped solidify the Rams as one of the best teams in the league.
Recently, they earned some praise from NFL.com’s Adam Schein, who called them one of the most complete squads in football. More specifically, he ranked the Rams second on his list, behind only the Chargers.
Todd Gurley‘s status is obviously a huge factor here, but I’m no doctor. I don’t know any more about his true status than you. So, for the purposes of this exercise, I’m going to assume he’ll return to stardom in a few months’ time. That takes significant heat off Jared Goff, allowing the quarterback to play like he did over the first three months of last season. Another thing that’ll help mitigate Goff’s late-season swoon: the return of Cooper Kupp, whose torn ACL halfway through last season put a major crimp in Sean McVay’s signature 11 personnel package (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR). When Kupp’s on the field with Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, defenses are put in a serious bind. McVay’s genius maximizes this talent.
On the other side of the ball, the Rams just happen to boast the single best defensive player — bar none — in the NFL today. Aaron Donald, who just won his second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award, raises the bar and makes everyone on the Rams‘ D better. Thus, while L.A. only ranked 19th in total defense last season, the unit has a knack for being clutch.
The health of both Todd Gurley and Cooper Kupp, who’s expected to be ready for training camp, will be crucial for the Rams. The offense was still strong without both players at full strength last season, but at the beginning of the year, Los Angeles was borderline unstoppable.
There are questions about the Rams’ outside pass rush with Dante Fowler Jr. heading that group, as well as the void left by Mark Barron. Micah Kiser could be an upgrade at inside linebacker, and Fowler should get better with added experience in Wade Phillips’ defense.
Les Snead did an excellent job building this roster and continuing to bolster it with trades – in the draft and for players like Marcus Peters and Brandin Cooks – and with calculated free agent signings.