LA Rams won’t look to the NFL Trade Deadline for help this year

The LA Rams were a rather evolving roster throughout the 2021 NFL season. From OTAs to the final score of their Super Bowl LVI, the team not only had to endure the uncertainty of who could play any given week thanks to multiple injuries.  Through it all, the team had a number of players who, for one reason or another, had to be brought up to speed quickly in mid-season.

It’s safe to say that the LA Rams front office pulled off a couple of miracles.

Of course, when we cite some of the team’s miraculous mid-season acquisitions, almost everyone will immediately think about the Rams trading for veteran outside linebacker Von Miller.  And you would correct in doing so. But there were more miracles in the team than Miller in 2021.

There was the earlier trade for running back Sony Michel, whose true value did not become obvious until the offense committed to giving him the lion’s share of the carries. When the Rams featured Michel, he responded with multiple 100+ rushing yard games, the only running back to do so for the Rams last season.

There is also the addition of WR Brandon Powell, who was given a chance to return punts mid-season. He performed so well that he became the Rams’ return specialist, returning both punts and kickoffs for the team for the rest of the season.

Of course, there was also the signing of veteran free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., an offensive weapon who had lost his luster because he signed a contract with the wrong team, the wrong scheme, and his numbers had subsequently dropped.  He joined the Rams, and his numbers were quickly back to the level that had earned him a stellar reputation earlier in his career.

A string of unrelated acquisitions, all of which played a huge role in the LA Rams winning Super Bowl LVI. But the LA Rams learned a valuable lesson from a year ago. Don’t overlook the roster needs, top or bottom. This year, entering training camp, the roster appears to be well stocked.