7 urgent Los Angeles Rams roster needs

Time to review the LA Rams offseason roster needs for 2020. How many can you come up with? With have 7 urgent needs

The LA Rams finished the 2019 season at 9-7. That’s very good for a team not competing in the post season games.  It’s not good for a team hoping to return to the Super Bowl and avenge their loss in Super Bowl 53.  But 9-7 is where the team ended up in 2019, so it’s where we start in 2020.

Much of where the Rams end up in the 2020 season is very dependent upon a great deal of factors yet to happen. For example, when trading with the Jacksonville Jaguars for start cornerback Jalen Ramsey, the LA Rams committed to keeping Ramsey on the roster long-term.  And despite the Rams long list of projected 2020 free agents, we’re convinced that the team will need to retain some key defensive contributors.

One basic fact about drafting in the NFL. It’s virtually impossible to draft well while simultaneously drafting for positions of need.  There are many reasons for this: the draft class may not have sufficient depth of talent for the position, the demand for that position may exceed the supply of prospects that year, available talent may not fit the teams scheme, or the team may have set prerequisite conditions for certain positions which limit who the team wants to consider for their roster.

With this regard, this NFL Mock draft (and all mock drafts in the series) will presume that the team has already signed a veteran to the roster who can play at a professional level.  Therefore, the Rams will be drafting for depth and to compete for starting playing time at positions where the team struggled last year.  Let’s get started.

Top priority – offensive coordinator

The LA Rams have two offensive coaches who combine for one offense on game day Sunday.  For the run game coordinator, the Rams have Aaron Kromer. Kromer has 19 years experience in the NFL, and has risen from offensive line coaching background to oversee the Rams rushing attack.  The pass game coordinator is staffed by Shane Waldron. Waldron has six years experience in the NFL, and had just assumed a new role as quarterbacks coach last season.  Two coordinators for the offense.

Why?

The 2019 offense declined dramatically. While much of that is attributable to an injury-depleted offensive line, there may be more forces to it than that.  There is a general consensus that the offense did not suitably adapt game plans to the personnel packages available on any given Sunday.  Perhaps there were too many fires for Sean McVay to put out any give week.  Perhaps it boiled down to nobody minded the store.  But splitting responsibility seems to have eliminated accountability for the offense.

Exactly where did the buck stop for the offense decline in 2019?  Based on the coaching changes, that responsibility lay upon former defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and running backs coach Skip Peete.   The Rams clearly need someone to organize the play book, and adapt their plays more rapidly over injuries or opponents.

Priority II – Offensive tackle

The Los Angeles Rams success under head coach Sean McVay is directly proportional to the quality and continuity of the team’s offensive line. That’s not a coincidence.  Oftentimes in the NFL, the most successful teams in any given year are the healthiest by a significant margin.  Of course, there is an occasional exception to the rule.  But by and large, if you endure the 16 game season with healthier players than other teams, you will enjoy success.

Quarterback Jared Goff has proven he can lead the offense within the pocket. Where he seems to struggle most is creating offense when the plays break down.  That’s not uncommon, and is in fact something the front office can correct.  Simply upgrade the offensive line. That is the same path taken by the Dallas Cowboys for their quarterback Dak Prescott.

"“More people around here need to carry the load and the responsibility. That goes for all of us, players and coaches. All of us need to be more accountable.”  – Andrew Whitworth per Keven Modesti, OCRRegister.com"

The cornerstone for the offensive line is the offensive tackle. Right now, starters 38 year-old Andrew Whitworth and 27 year-old Rob Havenstein are questionable. Whitworth becomes a free agent this year, and is currently the oldest NFL offensive tackle. Havenstein is returning from a knee injury,  But even before that injury, he seemed to struggle at bit at the position.

The position must be addressed this offseason.  With the team starting in the 2020 NFL Draft on day 2, this should be addressed in free agency. Whitworth is definitely a leader on this team. If the Rams could bring him back for an inexpensive year or two, that would be very helpful. If not, then the Rams need to find a short and inexpensive deal for a veteran with staring potential.

And the 2020 NFL Draft is in peril if the team does not draft an OT.

Priority III – Interior offensive linemen

After the LA Rams find a new bookend for the offensive line, they can turn their attention inwards.  No, I’m not suggesting the team scouts reflect simply scout out young prospects, but rather aim their next selections at interior offensive linemen.  That’s the right thing to do right now.

Offensive linemen get hurt. But the Rams’ fortunes seemed to have reversed in 2019.  For two seasons prior, the offensive line emerged relatively unscathed. That trend to the norm seemed to seek reveng upon the Rams as linemen fell to injury again and again. The Rams lost center Brian Allen for the year.  Then Joe Notebloom fell.  You know the history.

Right now, the team is looking at an offensive line (including tackles) of Brian Allan, David Edwards, Bobby Evans, Rob Havenstein, and Joe Notebloom in some order. Austin Corbett is also part of the mix, added via trade with the Cleveland Browns just last season. That’s not a lot of depth nor excellence right now.

The Rams lose versatile Austin Blythe this year, due to an expired contract. His backup was newly signed University of Washington center Coleman Shelton, who I see having the ability to earn a starting role – possibly even this year. And offensive linemen, with the right luck and work ethic, and emerge as starters even when signed as undrafted free agents.  And that is most certainly an article worth writing.

Priority IV – Linebacker

Whether or not the LA Rams successfully re-sign projected free agent linebacker Cory Littleton, the team will need depth behind him and beside him. Meanwhile, the departure of defensive coordinator introduces a chance of the Rams converting to a 4-3 defense. Does that take the pressure off or simply add more pressue to reconfiguring the defense?

Well, linebacker Cory Littleton is ready to test the waters of free agency this year. It’s a good time to do that if you are Littleton, as he just put up some incredible numbers the past year on a one-year “prove it” deal. But the question is whether Littleton is that good, or anyone playing behind All-Pro defensive tackle can put up great numbers?  That’s the question Rams staff are answering right now.  Littleton’s street value this year is somewhere in the $12-14M/year range.  That is presuming a team doesn’t go crazy.

But does it make more sense for the Rams to use that same money to sign a pair or Tier II free agents in the $5-6M range, adding depth and perhaps testing the “anyone looks good behind Donald” theory?  By the same token, the team is looking at a $14-18M/year range to re-sign Dante Fowler Jr.

Free Agency plays a huge role in many ways for the Rams this off-season.  Meanwhile, this 2020 NFL Draft is incredibly deep at the linebacker position.  So as long as the Rams can be patient with talent growing into starting roles. After all, for each marquis free agent not signed, the Rams can use that money to attract players eager to earn a big payday.

Priority V – Setting the Edge rushers

The Los Angeles Rams defense has some of the biggest names in the NFL right now.  Of course, we’ve just discussed efforts to re-sign Dante Fowler Jr. and the cost to do so.  The Rams also boast Michael Brockers at defensive end.  Fowler and Brockers accounted for 121 tackles and 14.5 sacks.  That is a lot of production at risk of walking out the door during free agency.

Right now, the Rams are stuck in the limbo of emphasizing pass rush or snuffing out receivers.  With the Rams defensive backs including Jalen Ramsey, Taylor Rapp, Nikell Robey-Coleman and Troy Hill, they have incredible pass defense skills while the ball is in the air.  And with Donald anchoring that defensive line, perhaps the Rams should tweak the defensive scheme just a bit.

It would be far more economical to focus on strong defenders who hold their ground, both in the middle of the line and on the edge.  Rather than the thoroughbred speed rusher from the outside, a stronger defensive end whose responsibility is to set the edge, turn plays in, and collapse the pocket.

If the Rams do convert to a 4-3, that pretty much translates the defense into a contain pocket by design. While the Rams do not have 4-3 personnel just yet, some players would convert with less difficulty than others..

Priority VI- Defensive lineman

With the exodus of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the LA Rams defense may be undergoing a transformation out of the 3-4 and towards a 4-3. In either scenario, it’s easy to recognize that defensive tackle Aaron Donald will stand out. After all, he’s earned his 5th All-Pro title in just his 6th NFL season, a huge accomplishment never before seen in the league.

But Donald draws the attention of blockers.  So the other defensive linemen should benefit from single blockers, right?  Well, that hasn’t been the history so far.  When the Rams signed Ndamukong Suh, they finally had the two player threat.  That was, coincidentally, the season Donald registered over 20 sacks.

That highlights the benefit of upgrading defensive line talent around Donald.  No offensive line can manage Donald’s presence if they are focused on two defenders at once.  While the purse will not support huge free agent signings, there may be room to tweak one or two role players for this team.  A solid defensive lineman like Michael Bennett or Tim Jernigan should come in moderately priced, and would flourish when lined up next to Donald.

The team may also benefit from the emerging Greg Gaines as well.  That would certainly help out this defense as well. And with limited dollars and draft picks, sorely needed.

Priority VII – Running back

With the dismissal of RB coach Skip Peete, a message of disappointment over the team’s running game was sent loud and clear.  Was it aimed at running back Todd Gurley?  Well, it’s really hard to interpret it any other way.

Gurley is an incredibly versatile offensive player.  He has been very productive in both the running and passing game. But he’s suffered several injuries along the way.  As a result, there are fears around the league that he will not return to his former production.  Adding to that narrative, the Rams’ offensive line woes of 2019 struggle to open running lanes for Gurley.

His backup Malcolm Brown rushes for an average of 3.9 yards per carry. That’s comparable to Gurley’s 2019 average. Brown has not established himself in the Rams’ passing game though.  One of the keys to the run-pass option (RPO) offense is the ability of the running back to put up big numbers in the passing game as well.

With a new draft arriving, the Rams could get lucky and either draft or sign an undrafted young set of legs who could contribute at both, and save the likes of Brown for a more “run only” type of role.  The Rams might be tempted to part ways with Gurley to save about $5 million in 2020 salary cap dollars. But in doing so, they need a solid plan to replace his production.

Honorable mention – Depth

It seems that the Rams struggled mightily to plug the holes caused by injuries through the course of 2019. Some of that responsibility falls on poor game planning by the coaching staff to compensate, Compare that to the 2019 season of the Philadelphia Eagles, where the more players who seemed to fall to injury, the more successful the team became.

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So is there a lesson to be learned?  It seems so.

While the Rams continue to send big portions of money to just a few players, the team has failed to ensure the depth needed to get deep into the playoffs. That means the roster must be evaluated multiple times, down to the practice squad.  The 2017 and 2017 teams were unusual season in the fact that the team remained very healthy. 2019 revealed that the roster was far too top heavy.

And perhaps that’s one of the greatest needs of this team. Improve the pipeline of talent before it failes them for the second season in a row.

That means the team will not make a big splash in free agency, which may be the wiser strategy right now.  Perhaps it opens the possibility to the team to fail to re-sign very good players like Cory Littleton, Dante Fowler Jr., or Michael Brockers. If so, that will be a letdown at first.  But the real test is the performance of this team in 2020.

Could the team instead focus on signing aging veterans who are undervalued and draft behind them for depth.  The Rams could free up enough cap space to significantly improve their depth. And if the team uses their tags wisely, could sign and trade players to add a number of picks for the 2020 NFL draft. Depth is never needed in the NFL until it is too late.