As Rams fall to 1-4, the future is much brighter than the present

Here we are, at the bottom rung of the NFC Western Division, and bumping along the bottom of the entire NFL. If not for a miraculous come-from-behind victory against the San Francisco 49ers, the Los Angeles Rams would be the only winless team in the NFL. Taking all of this into consideration, the present state of the Rams roster seems convoluted, and the team seems hellbent on missing the 2025 NFL Playoffs.

The present state of the LA Rams seems, dismal at best.

But what of the future? After two years of investing rather heavily into the NFL Draft and signing collegiate free agents after the draft, the team has an active roster right now with only nine players older than the age of 28 years old. If you expand the population to IR and the practice squad, that number grows to 13.

That's 13 out of 81 players, or 16 percent of the team's roster bumping up into an area where age is a serious consideration. If you want to know how well the team's young players are performing, just just out the top performers from Week 5:

The oldest player of the group is 26-year-old left tackle Alaric Jackson.

So where is the team most vulnerable in terms of Father Time? Here is a comprehensive list of starters who are over 28 years old who have no clear young backup ready to assume the workload if/when their production wanes due to age:

• QB Matthew Stafford - 36 years old
• RT Rob Havenstein - 32 years old
• CB Darious Williams - 31 years old
• WR Cooper Kupp - 31 years old
• WR Demarcus Robinson - 30 years old
• ILB Troy Reeder - 30 years old

Other players who are over 28 years old not shown are:

• Backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo - 32 years old
• DE Jonah Williams - 29 years old
• DB Tre'Davious White - 29 years old
• Swing OT Joe Noteboom - 29 years old
• TE Tyler Higbee - 31 years old
• DB Ahkello Witherspoon - 29 years old

If you take a look at the team's overall roster needs, simply from the age of players, the 2025 NFL Draft needs include:

• Defensive back
• Quarterback
• Offensive tackle
• Wide Receiver
• Defensive lineman
• Inside linebacker

The Rams roster is loaded with young talent that, while still learning and gaining experience, has the potential to make this team a true powerhouse. Compare the draft shopping list with the state of the team's roster and you will find that the team, even if the bottom drops out this season, is already at least one foot in the door to a rebuild.

The most critical positions to transform into a newly refurbished contender is the quarterback and offensive tackle positions. And the team can resolve the defensive challenges with either a huge defensive tackle or an upgrade at the inside linebacker position, and one solid cornerback.

The LA Rams are currently projected to enter the 2025 NFL Draft with seven picks. With the team's first rounder currently situated among the Top-5 picks in the draft, the team could target their future quarterback if the right prospect is on the board. Otherwise, the team could target an elite offensive tackle or cornerback.

If you don't like the team's present situation, turn to the horizon. A bright future lies ahead. And as always, thanks for reading.

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