5 LA Rams returning players whose encores will astonish the entire NFL

II: Proving he is the legitimate heir of All-Pro Aaron Donald.

The rookie season of NT Kobie Turner bested all other rookies in 2023. It was so good that he tied the quarterback sack total of 2014 rookie Aaron Donald. But Turner did not receive any accolades or honors for his achievement. He was the best in his class, putting up 9.0 quarterback sacks that dwarfed that of even the most lauded rookies of his class.

He failed to earn the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, an honor that was mistakenly awarded to Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson IV, a player who recorded 29 percent fewer quarterback sacks. And Kobie Turner did it against far more double teams.

Turner will likely move from his NT role to the 3-tech spot vacated by Aaron Donald. That could alter his pass rush, but Turner has proven to be quick, swift, and powerful. The new role could amplify his quarterback pressure in that he could face fewer double teams this season.

NFL nose tackles almost never lead their teams in quarterback sacks, and yet The Conductor did in his rookie season. I believe he is going to have an incredible 2024 NFL season.

I: Not a one-hit wonder WR

The rookie season of Rams WR Puka Nacua was the best All-Time rookie receiver season in the history of the NFL That is simply a fact. And yet, I have already seen projected rankings of 2024 NFL wide receivers that list rookie prospect Marvin Harrison Jr. over Nacua, and he has not even been selected by an NFL team. That bothers me for two reasons.

First, it demonstrates a lack of respect and appreciation for Nacua and his record-setting rookie season. Secondly, it fails to grasp the importance of the quarterback and the offensive line in the success of a receiver. Some quarterbacks elevate the performance of their receivers, while many do not. It's no coincidence that the top two players listed on the NFL's All-Time Single-Season Receiving Yards Record list both caught their passes from veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. They are Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson and LA Rams WR Cooper Kupp.

Now you can slide in another WR record to Staffords list of accomplishments.

And no, Puka Nacua did not win the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award either. And yet, you could argue that with injuries to both WR Cooper Kupp and RB Kyren Williams in 2023, Nacua was thrust into the spotlight as the team's primary offensive weapon last season. Will teams be able to focus coverage on him in 2024 if Kupp and Williams remain healthy?

Any offensive weapon added to this team in the 2024 NFL Draft is icing on the cake. But with a core of QB Matthew Stafford, WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, and RB Kyren Williams back for another go of it, this offense will be impossible to stop.

And Puka Nacua may be the most dangerous player of the bunch.

So what do you think? Will Rams players experience a sophomore slump? Or are these five players bound for bigger or better days in the 2024 NFL season?

As always, thank you for reading.