Via
Pro Football Focus.
4. Los Angeles RamsBiggest strength: Here's a list of the five highest-graded defensive seasons in the NFL since Aaron Donald was drafted in 2014: Donald's 2018 season, Donald's 2017 season, Donald's 2020 season, Donald's 2019 season and Donald's 2021 season. There's no player in the league who has come close to his level of dominance. He and Jalen Ramsey are the best players in the league at their respective positions. The ability to move two players like that around and be confident that they'll perform at a high level regardless of alignment is a luxury that few defensive coordinators have.
Biggest weakness: The Von Miller loss on the edge isn't an easy one to stomach for the Rams. The pass-rushing trio of Donald, Miller and Leonard Floyd played a massive role in their postseason run. Now, the Rams are one Floyd injury away from starting Justin Hollins and Terrell Lewis or Chris Garrett on the edge. Those three have combined for just 61 quarterback pressures in six NFL seasons. For reference, Miller recorded 54 quarterback pressures in his 12 games with the Rams.
X factor for 2022: As last season progressed, the Rams were starting to lean heavily on Odell Beckham Jr.‘s ability to win one-on-one matchups on the outside. That's the role that Allen Robinson II steps into coming off a down 2021 campaign with the Bears. Robinson's 38 receptions for 410 yards were the fewest in any season of his career, excluding the 2017 campaign that lasted only a few snaps for him. Prior to that, he profiled as one of the league's top wide receivers, consistently producing despite bottom-tier quarterback play. With no Beckham or Robert Woods, the Rams need Robinson to get back to being that player in 2022.
