In the lead-up to training camps, USA TODAY Sports will be breaking down the key questions facing each NFL team. Today, we look at the Los Angeles Rams:
When will Aaron Donald sign a contract extension?
General manager Les Snead has admitted he expects the NFL’s defensive player of the year will be the highest-paid defender in football. Donald was the only member of the roster not present for the entirety of the offseason.
Last year, Rams fans canvassed training camp with signs reading “Pay The Man!” Donald missed much of the offseason workouts and held out all of training camp, reporting so late that he missed the season-opening win over Indianapolis. He responded with the type of season to which the team has grown accustomed. Yet again, he was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded interior defender, leading the league with 91 quarterback pressures.
Snead has repeatedly said the team has worked out a “timeline” to an extension with Donald’s representatives. But there has been no word on what that timeline is, if it means Donald will attend training camp or arrive in time to play a full season alongside Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers.
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Who will fill the gaping holes at linebacker?
The Rams have put together arguably the most talented starting unit at both defensive line and secondary in the NFL.
Up front, Suh was given a one-year, $14 million contract. On the back end, the Rams traded three draft picks for all-pro cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, used a $11.3 million franchise tag on free safety Lamarcus Joyner and handed underrated slot cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman a raise.
L.A. gutted its linebacking position, moving on from three of their four starters to clear cap space. Defensive captain Alec Ogeltree was traded to the Giants after signing a four-year, $42 million contract extension. Edge rusher Robert Quinn and his $11.4 million cap hit was dealt to Miami. Veteran Mark Barron is the lone returning starter. Matt Longacre, perhaps the team’s best player at the edge position a year ago, is coming off back surgery.
The Rams are counting on third-year LB Cory Littleton and second-year edge Samson Ebukam to break through. If not, Ramik Wilson, a former starter in Kansas City, provides insurance, though Snead did draft heavily at the position.
How will Sean McVay solve the offense’s red-zone issues?
The Rams led the NFL in scoring last year at 29.9 points per game, but they sputtered at times in the red zone, where they finished 17th in touchdown percentage (53.4%). They scored one touchdown in four red-zone trips in the 26-13 loss to Atlanta in the NFC wild-card round. What’s more, they lost their biggest red-zone weapon when receiver Sammy Watkins signed with Kansas City.
The Rams swung a deal with New England for Brandin Cooks given his ability to stretch the field, but they need a breakthrough to solve their relative struggles to reach the end zone.
Curley writes for the Ventura County Star, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK.