Rams Biggest Need? 'All of Them,' says PFF Analyst
General manager Les Snead has been direct with his message - the Los Angeles Rams aren't rebuilding, they're simply "remodeling."
And with big-name stars on even bigger contracts such as receiver Cooper Kupp, defensive tackle Aaron Donald and quarterback Matthew Stafford, it's easy to see where Snead is coming from.
However, not everybody has the same views towards Los Angeles' roster construction as the first phase of free agency has come to a close.
Pro Football Focus, which previously graded the Rams' offseason as a C, listed Los Angeles' needs as "all of them" when discussing areas of improvement for each team across the league.
"The Rams’ fall from Super Bowl grace has been quite the spectacle. Going into the 2023 season, they have two of the best players at their positions in the league in Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp, but that’s about it. They traded away Jalen Ramsey, released Leonard Floyd, lost Greg Gaines and haven’t brought in anyone other than Hunter Long.
"This team has major needs in both trenches, at linebacker and in the secondary. Not to mention, quarterback Matthew Stafford dealt with a lot of injuries last season. This is the case of a team with a lot of needs and not a lot of premium draft picks to help." - PFF's Trevor Sikkema
The Rams, who went 5-12 this past season, allowed 59 sacks, the third-highest mark in the league, and registered 38 sacks, tied for No. 21 league-wide, both of which supports PFF's claim that there are "major needs" at the line of scrimmage.
To make matters worse, Los Angeles released outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, who had a team-high nine sacks, in its efforts to get on the positive side of the salary cap, which only worsens the level of play in the trenches.
The Rams also parted ways with linebacker Bobby Wagner, their leading tackler (140), leaving questions alongside Ernest Jones in the middle of the defense.
However, Los Angeles still has plenty of high-end talent - Kupp and Donald are two of the best players in the league at their positions when healthy and Stafford is a long-established franchise quarterback.
There's also running back Cam Akers and tight end Tyler Higbee on the offensive side of the ball, while the defense will expect young players like Jones and corners Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick to take big steps forward next season.
Nonetheless, six of the Rams' top seven tacklers numbers-wise are all either gone or expected to depart - Wagner, Ramsey, Floyd and defensive backs Taylor Rapp, Nick Scott and Troy Hill, with only Jones currently under contract for 2023.
Thus, there are certainly holes to fill ... but also plenty of building blocks who provide reasons for optimism around Los Angeles.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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