Season 62 Power Ranking Preview - #24
by adelfish | 4 years ago | 1 Comments
Season 62 Power Ranking Preview - #24
Welcome to the 2020 Red Zone Power Ranking Preview. In this long-running preview, I will be going team at a time, ranking them 32-1, discussing the user, the team, the schedule, etc.
COVERED TEAMS: Lions, Jaguars, Bengals, Patriots, Bears, Vikings, Dolphins, Seahawks
If I had to 'tier' the teams we have covered so far, I would put the Lions, Jags, Bengals, Patriots, and Bears in a tier entitled 'Biblically Bad' AKA the teams who I think are destined for bottom 5 no matter how things fall. I would call the Vikings, Dolpinhs, Seahawks, and this team a tier of 'Small Glimmers' where I think they will see glimmers of hope for years to come.
#24 - Los Angeles Rams (Jim)
(5-11 Projected Record)
Before Jim's brief departure from Red Zone last cycle, he had constructed one of the best teams in the league in Miami, from his first draft pick in superstar Myron Boone, to a defense that was regarded among the best, if not the best in the leauge. Despite little playoff success, Jim Huseman's staff proved that they are one of the up and comers in terms of team building.
Now here comes a new challenge - Miami was a rebuild last year, and Jim did a fantastic job. Now the Rams aren't what we call a rebuild, but their roster is full of problems, especially financial ones.
Los Angeles carries some of the highest dead cap numbers in the league heading into Season 62, valued at $34 million, and an addition $8.4 million in the next offseason. These were due to the releases of Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks.
Jim has a lot to prove on the field, but this team is full of elite level talent, the key will be the right GM to manage the finances and get some young, cheap talent in the building. Is Jim capable of it? Let's find out.
One Big Question
Despite star power along the roster with Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Donald, and Jared Goff, the cap situation left the Rams in financial trouble this offseason. With his toughest test ahead, can Coach Huseman navigate the roster building to field a contender?
Let's get the Texans comparisons out of the way, as you will see a ton of similarities between the two in terms of their asset management. The Rams traded away two 1st round picks this past year for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who is an absolute superstar, but hitched their wagon to a massive contract, and now have back to back years of no 1st rounder.
A 1st round pick is so valuable in the NFL for multiple reasons - it is a cheap, top 32 talent contract. It is a tradeable asset. It is directly affected by your performance.
If the Rams aren't good this season, Pat Allen and the Jaguars laugh all the way to the bank. If the Rams are unable to extend Ramsey, Pat Allen and the Jaguars laugh all the way to the bank. Jim must find a way to retain Ramsey's services, or flip him for assets.
The Rams traded and released Brandin Cooks and Todd Gurley respectively, resulting in their massive dead cap I mentioned. They have massive holes across the offensive line, the running back position, and linebackers. They will only be freeing up about $18 million next offseason, but you need to anticipate Ramsey commanding a fair amount of that.
I have a ton of faith in Jim as a GM, but there are some very difficult decisions coming. Robert Woods has been great for L.A, but is he worth the $8 million he commands? Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds are due extensions next offseason, and they have to keep some of this receiving core together.
How are the Rams going to free up money to extend Ramsey, Kupp, Reynolds, Gerald Everett, Troy Hill, John Johnson, Samson Ebukam, and Leonard Floyd? Simply put, they can't. Jim needs to find the best path within the Collective Bargaining Agreement. In my opinion, every 'right' answer involves Jalen Ramsey and Cooper Kupp.
One Big Schedule Issue
What a cruel opening six games that the Rams drew. With so many question marks that we will get into on the offensive line, and depth along the roster, facing this stretch of opponents seems unfair.
vs Cowboys (WG)
@ Eagles (Adel)
vs Bills (JP)
vs Giants (Beech)
@ Redskins (Weed)
@ 49ers (Sin)
In almost all six of those games, the Rams will be facing one to two elite pass rushers, and I don't believe they have the bodies to block high level players.
I am fascinated as to how Jim plans to build this offense, with Goff who can manage the game pretty well, and a group of very solid receivers. There isn't a true burner in this group (that was Cooks) so the Rams will have to play to their strengths to neutralize opposing pass rushers.
I give the Rams a chance to win 3 games at most in that stretch, their roster is still very talented and is better than the likes of the Redskins and Giants, but do I trust Jim more than Beech or Weedseed?
In the NFC West where I expect him to finish third, it will be tough to see how Jim can knock off the Cardinals or 49ers this year, which is one of the main reasons I see him slipping as the season goes on. Do not count this team out, as they will be a tough out each week.
Reasons for Optimism
Starting on defense, the first thing that jumps out about this roster is the high number of elite players on both sides of the ball. Obviously we begin with Aaron Donald who some regard as the best player in football. He is a one man wrecking crew, and will be the leader for Jim every season in sacks, more than likely.
Jalen Ramsey is considered the most complete corner in football, and was the face of Jacksonville's defense until he was traded away. He is due a massive extension this offseason, but the combination of him and Donald is fearsome.
Michael Brockers and A'shawn Robinson line up next to Donald, two really talented defensive linemen, along with edge rusher Samson Ebukam. The Rams have a ton of interesting pieces up front, and don't forget one year 'prove it' deal Leonard Floyd.
Offensively, the Rams feature two of the arguably top ten tight ends in football in Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett, along with Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Josh Reynolds. A ton of weapons for quarterback Jared Goff who has been locked in for the forseeable future. I really like the upside of this offense, but as I mentioned before, they are still a big time playmaker away from being truly scary.
The running back battle will be interesting to watch, but I am excited about Cam Akers, the rookie out of FSU who was taken in the 2nd round. I expect him to win the battle for most carries.
Reasons for Negativity
I have alluded to it already, but I fear this offensive line may derail the Rams whole season.
The only saving grace is there isn't a ton of money tied into this group, outside of Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein. Obviously Whitworth is the anchor at left tackle, and is making $11 million, but is 38 years old. How much longer will he play? The Rams have to find solutions at all five positions, because this offense will sputter with this kind of play.
The running back group is shaky as well, as I mentioned I am intrigued by Cam Akers, but the jury is still very out on a second round running back. Darrell Henderson failed to impress as a rookie, while Malcolm Brown is an expiring contract. There is nothing with this group that excites.
Right now the Rams have a linebacker problem, as their inside linebackers are inexperienced or have shown poor play. Someone has to win the battle between Kenny Young, Travin Howard, Troy Reeder, or someone not on the roster yet. Yes, I had to Google all of those names as well.
Like I've said, there are some very good pieces on this roster, but no depth. Even the safety position with John Johnson and Taylor Rapp is an example of this, with a likely expensive extension coming for John Johnson, and sacrificing quality in Taylor Rapp.
If Goff goes down, or anyone on the defensive line, this Rams team is going to struggle to compete, they simply don't have the backups to do it.
Last Word
As cap relief isn't due for two more seasons, and with no 1st rounder, Jim has work to do. He has a ton of pieces in place to find success, but many of them are due extensions, ones that will likely be expensive. Navigating the first 3+1 could define the next few seasons for him.
Does Ramsey stay, or does he get flipped for a 1st rounder? Will he have to choose between Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds? Will Samson Ebukam and John Johnson hit the market? So many big questions for important pieces to this roster.
If Jim can find some success, and really hit on the 6 picks he has in the first draft, he could set himself up for a nice cycle. That 1st rounder in Season 63 seems so far away, but he could weather the storm until then. Something even scarier we haven't even mentioned yet, how long is he willing to put up with Jared Goff's 5 year extension averaging $30+ million?