How much will the LA Rams miss PR/KR Brandon Powell's production?

Most LA Rams fans know full well about the fact that the team did next to nothing to retain veteran players whose contracts had expired with the team. Whether that player competed on offense, defense, or special teams, the Rams front office gave almost everyone the NFL equivalent of 'don't let the door hit you on the way out.' It was an unceremonious purge, erasing veterans from the team.

Even when contracts were not scheduled to expire, the Rams front office made the decision to release the player outright or trade the player to another NFL team. Veteran outside linebacker Leonard Floyd and inside linebacker Bobby Wagner were released by the team. Veteran defensive back Jalen Ramsey and wide receiver Allen Robinson were traded by the team.

One player, a personal favorite contributor, is KR/PR Brandon Powell. Powell is a veteran whose contact expired with the LA Rams, and has since signed to play for the Minnesota Vikings. He reunites with former Rams OC and now Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell.

Powell discussed his fatigue with changing so many teams in his career. He discussed the fact that he bounced around with five teams, he was a former running back, is a wide receiver, punt returner, and kick returner. He knows the Vikings offense, a team that employs the same offensive strategy as that of the LA Rams.

Powell could be a key contributor for the Vikings this season. Not only does he bring the potential to become the Minnesota VIkings starter on special teams in both punt returns and kickoff returns, but he adds his own extensive familiarity to an offense as a veteran in his NFL prime. And most of all, he is looking for the chance to put in roots and not move from city to city to city.

Brandon Powell finally had the opportunity to see action in the LA Rams offense in 2022, catching 24 of 32 passes for 156 yards. He also ran 17 times for the Rams, picking up another 80 yards. He also returned 24 punts for 177 yards, and 30 kickoffs for 605 yards. It was that small but promising blip that raised my hopes that he might be retained and afforded a bigger role in the Rams offense this year.

Instead, he will play for the Vikings this season, creating one more open roster slot to be filled by a versatile player who can be featured in the Rams' special teams as a return specialist. For now, we have to await the early OTAs and training camp to learn who that might be.