An outstanding offseason prediction post by Merlin...

Here’s Merlin...

When Sean McVay goes back and grades his team.

I say when because he is going to do it, as he's obsessive and is going to burn all offseason over the performance of his offense in the playoffs and team overall. And when he does here's the things I expect him to focus on:

1. Run Game Potency. He is going to see the offense he wants to have in that Dallas game. That game his offense dictated the run, and if anything this year's playoffs in spite of all the regular season hoopla of "OMG Offense" demonstrated that defense still reigns supreme as something you gotta have to hoist that Lombardi.

What will this do in terms of moves for Les and Kevin and company? I think it drives a focus on the OL first off, where they will quickly extend Whit to lessen the impact of Saffold's departure in FA. Yeah I'm back to thinking he is going to depart and the Rams will reload on the interior with some youth and lean on their staff to get improvement through good coaching and fundamentals of that talent. The players zone type schemes seek aren't always the big brutes with all the measurables, and the Rams will capitalize on this and I think end up with a line that is younger and capable of dictating the run game better than last year.

I also think the signing of CJ Anderson will be a priority, as he brings something in our ZBS run attack that Gurley doesn't give us in that "pillow man" as Parcells used to call it, who suddenly in games vs top defenses becomes a very nice piece to have.

2. Lack of Edge Pressure. It's a damn shame to see this defense with a Hall of Fame 3T struggle to provide edge pressure next to him. And in this particular defense, which performs at its best with that edge pressure and DBs ball hawking, it's honestly inexcusable.

What this will result in for the front office is a push for an answer on the FA market who can reduce the level of need, as well as drafting of more edge talent to provide upside. How that ends up looking who knows, as this FA market is extremely good at this primary need for us. We'll probably end up with a median type signing with a draft pick, but the Rams might chase a top option like Clowney. But we're going to be in play here soon in FA IMO.

3. Single High Safety Play. Wade covets flexibility in his safeties, and the roster he had this past season was packed with LOS and run support types. Johnson has some flexibility, but we badly lacked a deep middle option and were burned a great deal as Joyner demonstrated he lacked the instincts to provide it. This is a very high need to ensure we're not giving up quick scores to opponents and continuing to build a defense that can hold a lead.

Impact on our offseason is that it's probably going to be addressed right out the gate in FA, since the market is deep at the position (looks like both Landon and Amos will be hitting the market too (y)), and since it's a position that is more affordable than most others. Rams are going to sign a safety quickly IMO.

4. Run Game Susceptibility. Our struggles vs the run go much deeper than any one position, but over the course of the regular season it was something that made some of our games closer than they should have been (Seattle x2 ahem). This is a lower priority than pass defense IMO, but it's something that becomes more critical in the playoffs so it's going to be something they go after.

Impact we will see is the addition of a NT and ILB in some combination of draft and FA. I do think NT will be addressed in the draft. ILB should be relatively affordable in FA, and I don't think the Rams will chase a big money deal either. But they will look for a replacement even as they plan to keep loading young talent in the draft.

5. Return Specialist. We need badly to get a guy in here who can return punts in particular.

Impact is probably going to be in the draft. You can get returners well into midrounds, key is someone who can do it safely but yes it would be nice to have an ability to bust a big one here and there. IMO our special teams provide some of the best lanes in the league for our returners so just get one or two guys in here among picks for DBs or WRs who have experience on returns.

6. TE Development. There is no way Sean is going to look at our TE play over the year and be happy. Maybe he still feels like Everett can be the guy he wants in the passing game, but it's going to be something that irks him in the film review.

Impact isn't likely in terms of offseason moves, given the depth of our needs in more important areas. But it would not surprise me if they bring in a cheaper FA type or draft a TE if one falls to them they like or even make a move of non-essential players for a guy like Reed. Improving the TE position is one way to make this offense more explosive and difficult to shut down, so it's going to be on McVay's mind.