Here’s AvengerRam…
The Rams are, of course, contenders once again, as they are bringing back the bulk of the key contributors from last year and have added a couple of nice new pieces.
So... what (other than staying healthy) could happen in 2022 that would turn the Rams from an upper-tier contender to a dominant juggernaut in 2022?
1. Cam Akers is truly back.
While Cam Akers' return at the end of last year was one of the great stories of the Rams' title run, I think its fair to say that the Cam we saw last year was not the same Cam who ran for 221 yards on 46 carries (plus 51 yards receiving) in two playoff games in 2020. Cam has now had a full offseason to continue to get back to 100%, so perhaps he can pick up where he left off before the injury. If he can (and gets some support from Darrell Henderson and Kyren Williams), the Rams run game, which was pretty much a non-factor after the Wild Card round, could become a strength that makes defending against the Rams that much more difficult.
2. OBJ returns and is still himself.
If the Rams enter the playoffs with a healthy WR corps of Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson, Odell Beckham, Jr. and Van Jefferson, Matthew Stafford will be a kid in a candy store. There is not a DB corps in the NFL that can handle that much talent.
3. An edge rusher emerges.
Plan A, it would seem, is to hope that Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett, Daniel Hardy, or some combination of those players, emerges to provide a consistent pass rush threat behind Aaron Donald and opposite Leonard Floyd. Plan B could be to find another Von Miller-like midseason addition (Robert Quinn, maybe?). If either plan works, opposing QBs will be in trouble.
4. The Run D becomes impenetrable.
The addition of Bobby Wagner, development of Ernest Jones, and late season play of Greg Gaines and A'Shawn Robinson are all factors that make me think that the Rams could have a top 3 run defense. As great as the top opposing QBs may be, if you take away their running game entirely, they're all beatable.
5. There's a diamond-in-the-rough at CB.
What if... among the young CBs vying for a spot, there is a future Pro Bowl player? The competition between Robert Rochell, Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick should be intense and intriguing. If one of them emerges as a true bookend for Jalen Ramsey, the Rams D can go to another level.
