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2022 Team Reports

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Los Angeles Rams Writers

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Team Philosophy

In his half-decade as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, the Sean McVay / Kyle Shanahan offensive tree has gone from a novelty to the dominant offense system in the NFL, with seemingly every team lining up to hire someone who worked with one of those two coaches. McVay loves to run his offense out of condensed formations with his receivers lining up close to the offensive line, which enables them to help out more as blockers. He also stacks his receivers together to ensure they get free releases and put stress on the defense to quickly read and adjust their coverage when the receivers go into their breaks. The running game's bread and butter is wide zone rushes, and McVay remains committed to it even when it's struggling in order to maintain tempo for the overall offense, as evidenced by giving Cam Akers 17 carries a game in the playoffs despite averaging fewer than 3.5 yards per carry.

Quarterbacks

Starter

• Matthew Stafford

Key Backups

• John Wolford

The Rams were aggressive in acquiring Matthew Stafford and shedding Jared Goff in a blockbuster quarterback-swap trade last offseason. Not only did the trade pay off on the stat sheet with Stafford finishing third in the NFL in passing yards and second in passing touchdowns, but the Rams' all-in roster-building strategy, including Stafford's acquisition, resulted in a Super Bowl win. Stafford had arguably the best season of his career with the lone blemish being 17 interceptions. Stafford's interception rate has oscillated around the NFL average mark during his career with 2021 a clear outlier and regression-worthy figure heading into 2022. The biggest change for Stafford is losing Robert Woods and gaining Allen Robinson among the wide receiver corps. Woods was an integral piece to the offense even beyond being an all-around receiving option, with Robinson a strong addition if he can return to the form of his 2020 season.

John Wolford has been held tightly by the Rams and even favored over Jared Goff late in his Rams tenure. Wolford has quality mobility but is more of a project as an NFL passer. Wolford has yet to throw an NFL touchdown pass, logging two interceptions and a meager 54% completion rate on 42 regular-season passes. If Wolford is pressed into action, expect the Rams offense to run differently with Wolford's rushing strength compared to starter Matthew Stafford's prowess from the pocket.

Running Backs

Starter

• Cam Akers

Key Backups

• Darrell Henderson, Kyren Williams

Cam Akers' summer Achilles injury eroded any chance for the breakout candidate to fulfill his 2021 expectations. Akers returned late in the season to log regular-season touches and a surprising 75 touches in the Rams' playoff run but did not look his typical athletic self over the span. Akers' return to even see the field from an Achilles injury was essentially unheard of for the running back position. Now with a full offseason of additional recovery time, expect to see a closer-to-full-strength Akers as the assumptive starter. On one of the best offenses in the NFL, Akers' lone limitation is as a receiver with Darrell Henderson's strength in that facet plus the Rams being over the lowest ranking teams in high-leverage opportunities for running backs (targets plus goal-line carries) in the NFL each of the past two seasons.

Darrell Henderson enjoyed a career year in 2021 with Cam Akers out until late in the season with an Achilles injury. Henderson still had his share of uncertainty with Sony Michel evolving into the starter for cross-sections of the year and Henderson's stat line being enhanced by three receiving scores despite averaging only a 6.1-yard-per-reception average and securing barely two catches per contest. Sony Michel is gone for 2022 and Cam Akers continuing his recovery to return to 2020 form will be key. Henderson would benefit substantially if Akers lacks his burst and agility, pushing Henderson up the depth chart on one of the best NFL offenses. Kyren Williams was drafted on Day 3 by the Rams in 2022. Williams is a sub-sized back with a stronger track record in the passing game than projecting future starter-level touches. Williams will compete with Jake Funk, a Day 3 selection a year ago, for the RB3 role.

Wide Receivers

Starters

• Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson

Key Backups

• Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell

Cooper Kupp took the massive step from good to great wide receiver and producer in 2021. The addition of Matthew Stafford proved most important for Kupp, surging to an NFL MVP-worthy 145 receptions, nearly 2,000 receiving yards, and 16 touchdowns. The Rams' main shift from their 2021 offensive version is losing Robert Woods (and later season Odell Beckham) and gaining Allen Robinson. With running backs not a high-level part of the passing game and Tyler Higbee merely an adequate starting tight end, there is minimal reason to expect a strong erosion of opportunities for Kupp in 2022. Allen Robinson is the notable replacement from the Rams' Super Bowl-winning offensive skill position team last year. Robert Woods and Odell Beckham exit with Robinson entering the WR2 position. 2021 was a lost season for Robinson, averaging a career-low 34 yards-per-game and scoring a mere one touchdown over a dozen games. The Bears were also one of the weakest quarterback situations in the NFL. Matthew Stafford easily marks the best quarterback pairing of Robinson's career, a breath of fresh air for the wide receiver possessing three seasons of at least 1,100 yards and more than 6,000 career yards out of the impressive 2014 NFL Draft class. Even with Cooper Kupp as a strong WR1 on the depth chart, Robinson has career-best upside within his range of outcomes in 2022.

Van Jefferson took a substantial step forward in 2021, the second round selection's second NFL season. Jefferson was a lackluster prospect on paper, lagging in athleticism, production, and already being 24 years old entering the NFL. Most of Jefferson's best games last season came before Odell Beckham was fully incorporated into the offense. With Allen Robinson added to the mix, Jefferson's role is likely as the WR3 unless Robinson misses time. Two offseason knee surgeries cloud Jefferson's ultimate impact for 2022 as he has been absent from August sessions post-surgery.Ben Skowronek was a core special teams player outside of his sporadic offensive opportunities in an offensive role. With Allen Robinson's addition and Van Jefferson ahead of Skowronek, the former seventh-round selection is multiple injuries away from a steady dose of weekly targets. Tutu Atwell's rookie season ended with injury and was invisible before his shoulder surgery. Atwell was a unique prospect as a super-sub-sized receiver with 4.39 40-time speed and strong college production. Atwell is one of the true wildcards of the Rams offense in 2022 where his speed is a differentiator compared to the other wide receivers on the depth chart.

Tight Ends

Starter

• Tyler Higbee

Key Backups

• Kendall Blanton, Brycen Hopkins, Jacob Harris

Tyler Higbee has been the starter for the Rams three years running with his volume in 2021 (85 targets) submarined by a woeful 9.2 yards-per-catch and an average of five touchdowns total. Higbee has one season in the sun as a top-12 producer through six years, a success story from the Day 3 ranks. However, historically a new career ceiling is unlikely from the Higbee profile and it is notable that the depth chart through TE4 marks one of the best, if not the best, in the NFL. Kendall Blanton filled in admirably for starter Tyler Higbee in the 2021 postseason, producing a touchdown in one game and 57 yards in the other. Blanton has been a sparsely-used depth option outside of that two-game stint in his career otherwise. Brycen Hopkins has a quality profile despite being drafted on Day 3. Largely blocked on the Rams depth chart, Hopkins has the upside of a future starter. Jacob Harris is the wildcard of the depth chart. A former wide receiver in college, drafted as a tight end by the Rams early on Day 3. Harris was peppered with targets in camp and the preseason before being a core special teams player and seeing zero targets offensively as a rookie.

Offensive Linemen

Starters

• LT Joe Noteboom
• LG David Edwards
• C Brian Allen
• RG Coleman Shelton
• RT Rob Havenstein

Key Backups

• Logan Bruss [R] (inj), A.J. Jackson, Tremayne Anchrum, Bobby Evans, Chandler Brewer

After four years backing up Andrew Whitworth, the Rams gave Noteboom a three-year extension and the left tackle job. Noteboom does a decent job and he makes an above-average duo with right tackle Rob Havenstein. Left guard David Edwards and center Brian Allen are good options. The question is at right guard, where Coleman Shelton beat out third round pick Logan Bruss before Bruss went down with a torn ACL, leaving the team thinner on the interior line. This is an average group but can improve as new starters settle into their roles.

Kickers

• Matt Gay, Cameron Dicker [R]

Gay got the ultimate revenge on his old Bucs team when he got a Super Bowl ring after they let him go before their 2020 championship season. He was also a major fantasy asset, finishing third in total points and making 7-of-8 from 40-49 yards, and 4-of-5 from 50+. He got an original round RFA tender, which secured his rights for the 2022 season, but Gay is kicking for a long-term contract next year. The quality of his offense and indoor kicking conditions for 11 games makes Gay a consideration after Justin Tucker and Daniel Carlson are off of the board.

Returners

Kickoff Returners

• Brandon Powell, Tutu Atwell

Brandon Powell was only active for the final six games of the season and the playoffs, but he was by far the team's best and most prolific returner down the stretch and has earned the chance to enter 2022 as the starter. Tutu Atwell also received opportunities early but failed to impress with the chance.

Punt Returners

• Brandon Powell, Tutu Atwell

Brandon Powell was only active for the final six games of the season and the playoffs, but he was by far the team's best and most prolific returner down the stretch and has earned the chance to enter 2022 as the starter. Tutu Atwell also received opportunities early but failed to impress with the chance.

Team Defense

The Rams' defense cemented their 2021 season with a Super Bowl victory. They added Von Miller during the season and quarterbacks had nowhere to run with Aaron Donald on the other side. Miller departed via free agency and a massive contract in Buffalo, but that did not stop the Rams from going out and getting Bobby Wagner from their division rival in Seattle. This defense has many of the same playmakers and will be a force again in 2022. With A'Shawn Robinson sliding back outside to fill in for Von Miller and Aaron Donald on the other side, this unit should be top-five in total sacks again this season. Linebacker was one of the biggest weaknesses and it was addressed before the draft with Bobby Wagner. Look for Raheem Morris to lead this group to the promised land again this season if all of the pieces can stay healthy.

The Rams defense was strong in leagues that don't score points and yards allowed, posting a top-five sack total and top-ten takeaway total, but they were middling in points and yards allowed. The addition of Bobby Wagner at the long sore spot position of inside linebacker could be a big boost for a defense that lost rental edge rusher, Von Miller, in free agency. Aaron Donald will anchor what should be a productive unit for fantasy, but outside of a matchup with the Falcons in Week 2, they might not live up to the lofty fantasy draft status at the position with the Bills, Cardinals, 49ers, and Cowboys making up the rest of their five first game opponents. It's better to pass on them and hope they get dropped during the season, as they were in many leagues last year despite having a similar outlook going into the season.

Defensive Linemen

Starters

• Aaron Donald, AShawn Robinson, Greg Gaines

Key Backups

• Michael Hoecht, Jonah Williams, Bobby Brown, Earnest Brown IV

With the departure of Von Miller, the Rams defensive front may not sound as scary as it did to end last season. However, this unit is largely intact from the projected starters a year ago. AShawn Robinson is projected to slide outside as a tackle first option at defensive end with the better pass-rushing option in Earnest Brown IV taking third-down pass-rushing opportunities. This is an area that could still be addressed via the draft and free agency before the season starts as Robinson is 330 pounds and better serves as a defensive tackle. Look for Donald to be the only real mainstay as the Rams try and work out the rest of their line coming into the 2022 season.

The biggest concern coming into last season was filling Michael Brockers' shoes, this year they are having to replace Von Miller. The current projection of AShawn Robinson sliding outside may be short-lived with Earnest Brown IV looming. Jonah Williams and Michael Hoecht should also continue to see steady reps as the Rams like to rotate their linemen and keep them fresh throughout the game. There is a lot of sack potential for anyone on this line with Aaron Donald commanding a lot of attention and Greg Gaines seeing a high rate of double teams from the opposing offensive line. Look for the Rams to try and add some cheap and young pieces to this line before the season starts.

Linebackers

Starters

• Justin Hollins, Leonard Floyd, Bobby Wagner, Ernest Jones

Key Backups

• Chris Garrett, Terrell Lewis, Anthony Hines

There was a lot of turnover for the Rams linebacker group. Specifically, Micah Kiser and Kenny Young from their starting group are now either free agents or signed with a different team. The splashy off-season move was bringing in Bobby Wagner from Seattle after he was released and looking to fill the gaps with young, inexpensive, and fast talent. Even with the addition of Wagner, this is the weakest position group for the Rams defense and will likely be addressed before the start of the season.

Troy Reeder was the big-name backup this past season and he is now with the Chargers. The Rams are sorely missing depth at the linebacker position and are likely counting on the health and production of Bobby Wagner to continue. There is currently no projected fill-in behind Ernest Jones on the depth chart. Look for some sort of addition to this unit before the start of the season.

Defensive Backs

Starters

• Jalen Ramsey, Grant Haley, Taylor Rapp, Jordan Fuller

Key Backups

• Troy Hill, Robert Rochell, David Long, Terrell Burgess, Nick Scott

The revolving door opposite Jalen Ramsey continues this offseason with the departure of Darious Williams. Grant Haley is projected to fill the starting spot. He played in five games for the Rams last season and did not record a tackle. Haley is best known for his time at Penn State and has not transitioned to the pros as many thought he would. This side of the field is going to be targeted early and often opposite Ramsey and is likely an area of need for this defense in the offseason. Both Taylor Rapp and Jordan Fuller return to a stellar safety group that will likely provide additional coverage over the top for any corner opposite Ramsey.

With the exception of welcoming back nickel corner Troy Hill, the Rams are projected to start the season with the same secondary lineup from a season ago. The departure of Darious Williams is the biggest spot to fill, but Robert Rochell should provide the same level as last season. With largely the same starters and the same backup group, we should expect a similar performance from this group again this season.