Rams are dominating early player rankings to a dramatic degree

The NFL offseason is filled with player and team rankings, speculations, and projections. Los Angeles Rams fans - and for that matter every other fanbase, too - would be wise not to weigh such things too heavily. But they do serve a purpose, if only to set a range of expectations for the upcoming season.

CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco recently authored a Top 100 players list. Five Rams made the cut, which is noteworthy, if not so surprising, unto itself. The crazy part? Not only does L.A. have three players in the top 10, the Rams roster has two in the top ... two.

That's not just unusual. It's basically unheard of.

Of course, all offseason rankings and projections are mere discussion points, not iron-clad reality. Still, as more and more projections elevate L.A., the team will face that much more pressure to deliver.

Which Rams made the cut in Pete Prisco's Top 100?

There are only 100 spots, which necessitates some subjective balance among all 32 teams. In addition to their ranked representatives, the Rams have strong snub candidates in receiver Davante Adams, a should-be future Hall of Famer, and defensive lineman Kobie Turner, who is among the most productive DTs in the game despite being routinely double-teamed. Here are the five that made it:

82. Edge rusher Byron Young

After recording 12 sacks a year, he could have appeared a bit higher. The former third-round pick enters the final season of his rookie deal with plenty of momentum and, hopefully, an extension soon to come.

52. Cornerback Trent McDuffie

After neutralizing some of the best AFC receivers, former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie gets to try his hand in the NFC. Although for now McDuffie's role in the Rams defense is all whiteboard theory, Prisco's observations regarding his versatility have already borne out in OTAs.

9. Wide receiver Puka Nacua

Listing Nacua behind Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson is objectively suspect. Those are two are elite in their own right, but Nacua is a notch above. He just led the NFL in receptions, yards per game, and myriad Pro Football Focus metrics, including PFF's highest receiver grade of all time. Rightfully one of the NFL's top five, at least he made the top ten.

2. Quarterback Matthew Stafford

Is this controversial? The defending MVP led the league in passing yards (4,707) and touchdown passes (46) while throwing just eight interceptions and finishing top three in virtually every category worth listing. Among seasons of 46-plus passing scores, Stafford's TD-to-INT ratio trailed only Tom Brady's 2007 and Aaron Rodgers' 2020.

Somehow, he seems to be getting better with age, partly because the Rams have aggressively managed his offseason workload to optimize his health and stamina throughout a 17-game schedule and into the playoffs.

1. Edge Rusher Myles Garrett

Where else would you expect to find the reigning Defensive Player of the Year fresh off setting the single-season sacks record? Myles Garrett is a true game-changer. Finally, he has a competent supporting cast on the both defensive line and in the secondary, plus a high-octane offense to keep him rested and create favorable game scripts.

Working with a lead, Garrett will be able to pin his ears back in the pass rush a lot more often than he could in Cleveland. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula will put Garrett in situations that maximize his impact.

With the Rams, he'll also have a chance to taste the postseason after years of playing for the sake of the game. Individually, Garrett is well-deserving of the top spot on Prisco's list.

As always, thanks for reading.

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