FootballOutsiders: Four Downs (NFC West)

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Los Angeles Rams

Biggest Hole: Edge rusher

For all the praise the Rams' defense received in 2017, they found themselves struggling, at times, to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Their pressure rate of 31.2 percent (subscription required) was firmly in the middle of the pack -- and that can be attributed mainly to Aaron Donald. Donald had 52 pass pressures (subscription required) on the year, but no one else on the team even hit 20. Robert Quinn used to be one of the top edge rushers in the game, but he hasn't hit double-digit sacks since 2014. Blame it on the lingering effects of injuries that ended both his 2015 and 2016 seasons, or the shift to a 3-4 outside linebacker in Wade Phillips' scheme, but Quinn hasn't been the consistent terror he once was.

There's reason to hope that Quinn could bounce back. He still flashes the explosiveness and electricity that made him an All-Pro in 2013, so another year removed from injury and another year in the system could help. The Rams think highly enough of him that they declined to include him in the Marcus Peters trade. Even if Quinn were to bounce back, however, the Rams still need help. Connor Barwin is a pending free agent and is aging into a more situational player -- he's still a solid support piece, but doesn't shed blockers like he did in his 20s. No one else on the roster keeps opposing offensive tackles up at night.

There isn't exactly a bumper crop of free-agent pass-rushers on the market this year, so keeping Barwin on a short-term cheap deal might make sense. The Rams could then pair him with a first-round pick like LSU's Arden Key or a mid-tier free agent like Aaron Lynch. Let's be honest -- the Rams' biggest need is, by a wide margin, the least crucial need in the division. We're talking about shoring up a team that finished fifth in adjusted sack rate last year, after all. Adding more pop to the pass rush could take a frightening defense and make it absolutely unstoppable.



Major Free Agents: Sammy Watkins, WR; John Sullivan, C; Dominique Easley, DT; Connor Barwin, LB; Trumaine Johnson, CB; Nickell Robey-Coleman, CB; Cody Davis, S; Lamarcus Joyner, S.

Technically, the Rams' biggest need remains in the secondary, with Lamarcus Joyner, Trumaine Johnson, and Nickell Robey-Coleman as free agents. Johnson is almost assuredly expendable after the Marcus Peters trade, but the Rams would really like to bring the other two back. Add Joyner to the list of players suffering from the Curse of Jeff Fisher. After being awkwardly miscast as a nickel corner for years under Fisher and Gregg Williams, he was moved to safety and blossomed into one of the elite players at the position. He's the leading candidate for the Rams' franchise tag. Robey-Coleman finished fourth in success rate in 2017 and is vital to bring back, especially if Kayvon Webster's ruptured Achilles keeps him out when 2018 begins.

If the Rams don't use the franchise tag on Joyner, they may well use it on Sammy Watkins. Watkins was lost in the shuffle at times in an offense that placed a high priority on shorter routes, resulting in a down year in terms of raw stats. He was still very efficient when he was targeted, ending up sixth in DVOA at 24.0%. If he's not tagged, the soon-to-be 25-year-old wideout is likely to find a very competitive market, especially if Allen Robinson is tagged by Jacksonville.

The Rams ranked third in adjusted line yards up the middle, and center John Sullivan was a big part of that. He'll be 33 in August, but still played at a high level and provided a veteran presence. The Rams do like his backup, Austin Blythe, but this is probably an "if it ain't broke" situation; he's likely to be re-signed.

Dominique Easley missed all of 2017 with a torn ACL -- his third tear of his career after blowing out both ACLs in college. He played well in 2016, but his injury history is concerning; he has ended three of his four NFL seasons on injured reserve. The Rams would love to bring him back, but probably won't get into a huge bidding war.