Season 2023 has just ended, and on March 13, the 2023 campaign will open its doors. Touchdown Actu therefore takes this opportunity to offer you an overview of the different franchises during the offseason. Which players to keep and cut? Which free agent to extend? Which recruits to observe? Here are some ideas, franchise by franchise. In the spotlight today, the Los Angeles Rams. You will find the files for each team on this page.
Sean McVay, or the art of the rebound. Champions in 2021, the Los Angeles Rams clearly suffered the blow the following season, notably due to a busy infirmary. At the dawn of the 2023 season, fears were justified, with a squad that necessarily had to be rebuilt, after the end of the major contracts awarded with a view to winning the title. And the least we can say is that the head coach and his General ManagerLes Snead, negotiated this turn extremely well.
Not content with being able to count on a Matthew Stafford back at 100% at quarterback, the Californians capitalized on a quality draft (Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Puka Nacua) to return to the leading roles in the national conference and reach the playoffs. Despite their immediate elimination against Detroit, the two-time Super Bowl winners know that a new dynamic was created during the last year. How to optimize this a little more momentum ? Follow the leader.
The captains
1. Aaron Donald (DL)
2. Cooper Kupp (WR)
3. Matthew Stafford (QB)
If a lot of young players are now pushing out the door to take on more responsibilities, the captains are still rather well identified in LA! Matthew Stafford is the main offensive detonator of his team and his agreement with Cooper Kupp remains lethaleven if the physical problems have again caught up with the former Eastern Washington receiver.
On defense, Aaron Donald has certainly made 13 sacks over the last two seasons, far from his usual standards, but the threat he represents, even more so with the emergence of Kobie Turner, is no longer in doubt.
The undesirables
1. Brian Allen (C)
2. Joe Noteboom (OT)
In recent years, the Rams have instead invested heavily on the offensive line. For good and bad reasons. This made it possible to develop some interesting players who have now become starters. This also leaves out highly paid players who are now reduced to option status. This is particularly the case of Brian Allen, replaced in 2023 by Coleman Shelton in full centerand which would allow the team to save 5 million in the event of departure.
On the outside, the situation is particular for the “swing tackle” Joseph Noteboom, who is going to weigh 20 million dollars on the cap in 2024. A colossal sum for a replacement. Note that his future, however, seems conditioned by the one who took his place on the right side, free agent Alaric Jackson.
The summer man
Kobie Turner (DT)
He was a real intrigue coming out of college last season. But few expected to see him break through in this way in his rookie season. Alongside Aaron Donald, Kobie Turner was like a fish to water on the Los Angeles defensive line, becoming his team’s best sacker in 2023with 9 units.
Named among the best defensive rookies of the season, he undoubtedly aspires to eventually take over from number 99, the latter having already considered retirement in the past. A mixture of power and technique, he must confirm his very complete profile which will undoubtedly already make him one of the most followed defensive linemen in 2024, and a defensive captain for the Rams without a doubt.
Jarius Sneed, an attainable big fish for the Rams?
The main free agents of the Los Angeles Rams
1. Kevin Dotson (G)
2. Jordan Fuller (S)
3. Ahkiello Witherspoon (CB)
4. Michael Hoecht (DL)
5. Alaric Jackson (OT)
Others : Carson Wentz (QB), Ronnie Rivers (RB), Demarcus Robinson (WR), Austin Trammell (WR), Brycen Hopkins (TE), Jonah Williams (DL), Larrell Murchison (DL), Christian Rozeboom (LB), Troy Reeder (LB), John Johnson III (S).
Quite a few restrictive free agents (on whom the team can place a priority option) on this list. This is the case of Michael Hoecht, Alaric Jackson, Jonah Williams and Christian Rozeboom. The backfield Rams defense should at least see one executive return, between the more expensive Jordan Fuller and the irregular Ahkiello Witherspoon.
Finally, the Kevin Dotson bet was a real success, coming from Pittsburgh, and coincided with the Rams’ return to form. His extension seems a necessity for Les Snead and Sean McVay, but at what cost?
The Los Angeles Rams’ Top 5 Needs
1. Defensive back
2. Edge rusher
3. Ligne offensive
4. Linebacker
5. Receveur/tight end
The defensive backfield will therefore have to be considered, whether through players to be extended and signed. Experience is particularly desirable on the first curtain and the pass rushas well as on the last defensive rampart.
Depth is also desirable at other positions, such as the offensive line or the interior linebacker position. Let us also note the targets, with the interest in recruiting a third option at the receiver position or anticipating at the tight end position with the serious injury to Tyler Higbee in playoffs.
Target
L’Jarius Sneed (DB)
The project seems quite fanciful in appearance, with the Chiefs undoubtedly having the idea of to tag their star cornerback during the offseason. But if by any chance it ends up on the market, it would represent a precious commodity for Los Angeles.
Drafted in 2020, the former Louisiana Tech prospect has continued to experience an upward trajectory, and knows what to do to help frame a long-toothed defense. Complete, effective on coverage (14 passes defended and 2 interceptions) and on the run stop (78 cumulative tackles, more than 100 the previous season), Sneed is also an intelligent player, as he demonstrated in the playoffs on the Ravens’ field.with an ultra-decisive game on the road to the Super Bowl.
The size of his contract, if any, will determine a lot, but Jarius Sneed could be that number 1 cornerback that seems to be missing in LA since the recent departure of Jalen Ramsey.
New blood
J.C. Latham (OT)
It has been said: Alaric Jackson is potentially on the market and Joseph Noteboom risks costing too much at the start of the next season. The Rams would therefore have the desire from the first round to strengthen the right side of the offensive line a little more.
That turns out well, with the 19th choice of the next draft, tackles seem accessible, like JC Latham. The latter is a real force of nature, so much so that many observers predict it will be in the top 10 next April. The most measured will, however, recognize that a certain technical waste and a lack of discipline (12 penalties in 2023) still tarnish its incredible power a little.
With a staff capable of developing young people, the bet is worth taking, to effectively protect an aging Matthew Stafford despite everything and continue to open huge gaps in the ground game.
Alternative : Terrion Arnold (CB), Quinyon Mitchell (CB), Chop Robinson (EDGE), Taliese Fuaga (OT).
2024-02-18 11:00:57
#Intersaison #Los #Angeles #Rams #solid #foundations
