Now we get to the most overrated team in the NFL. With the most overrated coach in the NFL. Yet somehow, every year is going to be the year for the Rams. The Rams have not had a winning season since 2003, and have been average at best since Jeff Fisher took over. The excitement is back this season again, propped up some by the move to Los Angeles. The Rams return “home” to Los Angeles after spending the past 21 seasons in St. Louis. Los Angeles has been rabid for the Rams during their first two preseason games, so there might be some fan support before the novelty wears off. Hopefully some of the problems are fixed before that happens
The offense is still putrid The Rams were the worst offense in the league last year, despite having the Rookie of the Year in the backfield. Todd Gurley was a one man show for a team that cracked the 30 point barrier only twice last season. Quarterback obviously needed to be upgraded, so the Rams traded up to number one to select Jared Goff. Goff has been unimpressive so far in the pre-season, and is slated to open the season backing up Case Keenum. Keenum held down the fort after Nick Foles was benched last season and promptly lost three straight games while the season went down the drain again in St. Louis. Only a late season winning streak salvaged a 7-9 campaign.
Can the new look defense keep up? Janoris Jenkins took the big money from the Giants. Rodney McLeod did the same in moving to Philadelphia. James Laurinaitis is gone, so are Nick Fairley and Chris Long. Five starters from 2015 are long gone. Cody Sensabaugh was brought in to help in the secondary, as was Quinton Coples to shore up the line. The only defensive player drafted was sixth rounder Josh Forrest, who is buried on the depth chart so far this preseason. Some holdovers remain from the 2015 squad, but this is a new look defense that should not be expected to be the stalwart it was just a few seasons ago.
Fantasy Focus Todd Gurley is the Rams entire offense. You shouldn’t even draft anyone else except Greg the Leg. That’s how bad the Rams are, a kicker was actually mentioned. Kenny Britt is what he is, and while Tavon Austin is an excellent athlete, the QB and the gameplan are not built to his strengths. That’s why you see so many end arounds, shovel passes, and WR handoffs because they cannot get the ball into his hands the normal way because of the QB play. I wouldn’t draft any of their QB’s in a three quarterback league.
Prediction It’s the Rams. Of course they’re going 7-9.