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Football Outsiders: 4 Downs (NFC West)
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Welcome back to our offseason series of Four Downs. We'll be reviewing each division one-by-one, looking at each team's biggest hole going into free agency as well as the most important players who may be on the market.
Los Angeles Rams
Biggest Need: Offensive line
The Rams led the league in adjusted sack rate, but that's deceptive -- they were just 24th in pressure rate allowed. Their run-blocking stats were poor too -- 19th in adjusted line yards, 26th in stuff rate. Now they could lose a pair of starters as left tackle Andrew Whitworth and right guard Austin Blythe are entering free agency. Whitworth turned 38 in December and has talked about retirement in the past. He has already said he will play in 2020, but it remains to be seen whose uniform he'll be wearing. Blythe is not the player Whitworth is, but he gives the Rams valuable versatility with the ability to start at either guard or center.
Replacing one or both of those starters could be difficult. The Rams are 24th in cap space according to Spotrac. And they don't have a first-round draft pick this year -- they traded it Jacksonville to acquire Jalen Ramsey. A reliable offensive line has been a key to L.A.'s success in the Sean McVay era, but the coach may need to find a different way to win going forward.
Major Free Agents: Andrew Whitworth, LT; Austin Blythe, RG; Michael Brockers, DL; Dante Fowler, EDGE; Cory Littleton, LB; Eric Weddle, S (retired)
The Rams face the possibility of losing two starting linemen on offense, and things are even worse on the other side of the ball. The Los Angeles defense is at risk of losing its two leading tacklers (Cory Littleton and Eric Weddle) and leading edge rusher (Dante Fowler), as well as an interior lineman who started 16 games (Michael Brockers). Aaron Donald might be surrounded by some unfamiliar faces in 2020 … but as long as he remains Aaron Donald, things may still work out fine.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2020 04:31AM by LMU93.
Welcome back to our offseason series of Four Downs. We'll be reviewing each division one-by-one, looking at each team's biggest hole going into free agency as well as the most important players who may be on the market.
Los Angeles Rams
Biggest Need: Offensive line
The Rams led the league in adjusted sack rate, but that's deceptive -- they were just 24th in pressure rate allowed. Their run-blocking stats were poor too -- 19th in adjusted line yards, 26th in stuff rate. Now they could lose a pair of starters as left tackle Andrew Whitworth and right guard Austin Blythe are entering free agency. Whitworth turned 38 in December and has talked about retirement in the past. He has already said he will play in 2020, but it remains to be seen whose uniform he'll be wearing. Blythe is not the player Whitworth is, but he gives the Rams valuable versatility with the ability to start at either guard or center.
Replacing one or both of those starters could be difficult. The Rams are 24th in cap space according to Spotrac. And they don't have a first-round draft pick this year -- they traded it Jacksonville to acquire Jalen Ramsey. A reliable offensive line has been a key to L.A.'s success in the Sean McVay era, but the coach may need to find a different way to win going forward.
Major Free Agents: Andrew Whitworth, LT; Austin Blythe, RG; Michael Brockers, DL; Dante Fowler, EDGE; Cory Littleton, LB; Eric Weddle, S (retired)
The Rams face the possibility of losing two starting linemen on offense, and things are even worse on the other side of the ball. The Los Angeles defense is at risk of losing its two leading tacklers (Cory Littleton and Eric Weddle) and leading edge rusher (Dante Fowler), as well as an interior lineman who started 16 games (Michael Brockers). Aaron Donald might be surrounded by some unfamiliar faces in 2020 … but as long as he remains Aaron Donald, things may still work out fine.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2020 04:31AM by LMU93.
| Subject | Author | Views | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
 | LMU93 | 317 | February 26, 2020 04:30AM |
| promomasterj | 124 | February 26, 2020 10:27AM |
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This web site is in no way affiliated with the NFL or the Los Angeles Rams.