Bleacher Report NFL analyst refutes Rams as Super Bowl LX contenders

When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams' 2025 offseason, many NFL analysts like what this team has done. A few analysts see the Rams as a team on the rise and project the team to advance further than the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs. But there are a few who love to make their mark by becoming nay-sayers. So it is with the case for Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport.

In his post-draft power rankings, Davenport seems to struggle with any optimism over the Rams' chances in 2025. Begrudgingly admitting that the Rams are the team to beat in the NFC West, and despite lauding them with a lofty seventh-best ranking in the NFL, his write-up reads more like a team searching for a defensive identity, and with a porous offensive line. Here is what I mean:

"The Rams have issues at linebacker, in the secondary, and on the interior of the offensive line. The Rams may be a playoff team, but I do not see them as a real threat to make it to Santa Clara"

Gary Davenport

The Rams finished the 2024 NFL season with all of these issues, but managed to land among the best NFL team of the season. And the Rams may not have checked Davenport's boxes, but this is a defense that allowed just 114 passing yards in the playoffs. While not an elite secondary, it is one that is rapidly improving.

This is the same author who awarded the New England Patriots a pre-draft grade of A-, while giving the Rams a grade of C+. His justification for the Rams' pedestrian grade? He cited trading offensive guard Jonah Jackson (who did not work out) to the Chicago Bears. While the loss of edge-rusher Michael Hoecht is a setback, the loss of ILB Christian Rozeboom is not a setback whatsoever.

The reasons for such a stellar impressive of the Patriots off-season efforts? They were a bad team that spent a great deal. Hmmm. He also loved the New York Giants pre-draft efforts. That sets the stage for what his threshold of excellence seems to be.

The Rams roster improved in several ways this offseason. By shedding players who do not fit, the team creates new opportunities for other players to fill in the void with quality snaps. And the team reunited with center Coleman Shelton, the same starting center who started for the Rams in their Super Bowl LVI victory. With Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson flanking him, there are not weaknesses to the Rams interior offensive line.

The Rams inside linebackers welcome back starter Omar Speights. Troy Reeder, while not a Pro Bowler, is at least at the level of Christian Rozeboom. And the additions of rookie Chris Paul Jr. and Nate Landman up the level of competition for playing time at the position.

The problem with writing a full NFL survey is the inability of the author to understand the goals of roster building for each team. The Rams defense was red hot in the playoffs. Yet there was no mention of that 16 sack performance in two games. He was focused on what the Rams did not do well.

If the NFL conducted itself like America's Got Talent, we could all cast our votes. But NFL teams settle their scores on the foootball field. And the last time the Rams played, they were going toe-to-toe with the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles on the road in a snowstorm.

Not a real threat to make the Super Bowl? I wouldn't want to be the author of those words. When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams: Never say never.

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