2021 Super Bowl or Bust for the Los Angeles Rams

By George Lopez

The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2021 NFL season with expectations of reaching the Superbowl. In the offseason, the Rams made moves they believe puts them in the best position to achieve their goal. There are key questions the Rams must answer in order to be successful this season.

The Rams made a big offseason splash by trading former first pick QB Jared Goff to the Detroit Lions for QB Matt Stafford. It was evident at the end of last season, Rams coach Sean McVay was ready to move on from Goff as his starting quarterback. When it was evident Stafford was available, McVay and the Rams wasted no time in making the trade. Stafford brings toughness and leadership the team was lacking with Goff. Playing through multiple injuries last season, Stafford threw for 4084 yards with 26 touchdowns. With better-skill players around him, look for Stafford to improve on those numbers[pickup_prop id=”6184″]

Coming into the season, 2nd year running back Cam Akers was the projected start after a strong end to last season. Just prior to the start of training camp, Akers suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and is lost for the season. It was expected the Rams would look to free agency to bring in a veteran running back but Coach McVay has no intention of doing that at this time. The Rams will turn to 3rd year RB Darrell Henderson to be their primary running back. Last season ran for 624 yards on 138 carries with 5 touchdowns. The Rams will look for rookie running backs Xavier Jones and Jake Funk to spell Henderson during the season.

Looking to add speed at wide receiver, the Rams signed DeSean Jackson to a one-year deal to play alongside Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp. Jackson will provide a deep threat option that has been missing in the Rams offense for the past couple of seasons. To add another deep threat, the Rams selected WR Tutu Atwell out of Louisville in the 2nd round. Expect Jackson to start with Woods and Kupp with Atwell and 2nd-year receiver Van Jefferson to see significant playing time.

Last season’s starting center Austin Blythe left via free agency. Not addressing the center position in the draft, the Rams will look in-house to fill the center position. Austin Corbett will slide over from right guard and battle Brian Allen for the starting center job. Bobby Evans will be looked to step in at the right guard position if Corbett wins the starting center job. Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein return as the starting left and right tackle.

The defensive line lost Morgan Fox in free agency and traded Michael Brockers. Look for A’Shawn Robinson to take Brockers spot on the defensive line. Sabastian Joseph Day enters the season as the projected starting nose tackle in the Rams 3-4 defense. Look for rookies Bobby Brown III and Earnest Brown IV to see playing time on the defensive line. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald will look to improve his 13.5 sacks while being doubled and tripled teamed more than any other player.

The Rams struck gold signing Leonard Floyd last season. Floyd registered 10.5 sacks and rewarded him with a 4-year contract. Samson Edukam left via free agency. The Rams will look at Justin Hollins, Terrell Lewis, or Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to start opposite Floyd though all three will see significant playing time. Troy Reeder and Kenny Young have emerged as the projected starters at middle linebacker. Look for Micah Kiser and rookie Ernest Jones to push for playing time.

Starters Troy Hill and John Johnson III left via free agency. Look for the Rams to turn to Darious Williams to take Hill’s spot at left cornerback to play opposite Jalen Ramsey. David Long and Dont’e Deayon will see playing time in the Rams nickel packages. At safety, the Rams will look to Taylor Rapp and Terrell Burgess to replace John Johnson. Jordan Fuller returns as starting strong safety and look for him to take over as the defensive play-caller. Under new defensive coordinator, the Rams should remain a top 10 if not top 5 defense.
The Rams enter 2021 with lofty expectations. With the addition of Matt Stafford at quarterback, the Rams will look for the offense to return to the way they performed in the 2018 Superbowl season. The defense led by Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey will still be a top defensive unit. The Rams have the pieces in place to make a deep playoff run and their goal of playing in the Superbowl at SoFi Stadium.