LA Rams punch list after first four games of 2020 NFL season

Still on the fence about

With so many rapid changes, the LA Rams are still in the ‘under construction’ phase in some vital areas of the team. While that is to be expected, there are some pieces that have had flashes of brilliance co-mingled with moments of deep regret.  It’s a young team with new schemes. It’s not unusual, but it does sustain that shroud of uncertainty.

The LA Rams have not truly addressed their Inside linebacker position for several years. While the team was content to start Travin Howard and Micah Kiser at inside linebacker, Howard suffered a season-ending injury before ever taking the field. That has resulted in the Rams starting Kiser with Kenny Young.  While Kiser had an outstanding game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the play at inside linebacker has been inconsistent. Will it work? Well now Kiser left the Giants game with a groin injury, so the Rams are running thin at the position.

Depth charges

The LA Rams quarterback depth was a concern this year as the Rams are carrying just two quarterbacks on the active roster. That seems fine until week four arrived and with it came positive COVID-19 tests on four NFL teams. Those teams included the Tennessee Titans, the Kansas City Chiefs, the New Orleans Saints, and the New England Patriots. In an instant, the false sense of security was shattered, replaced by the endless ‘what if’ scenarios. Depth at a position is like insurance, it seems excessive until you need it.

While we are discussing adequate depth, the LA Rams secondary depth has been a mixed bag so far this season.  While the unexpected discovery of safety Jordan Fuller in round six of the 2020 NFL Draft was incredible, the status of the secondary when he is not playing is concerning.  The belief was that with his arrival, the Rams would be in a position to absorb free agency losses from the secondary in 2021. That is a very big question mark right now.