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- May 9, 2018
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Its quite remarkable to think that the Rams could begin the 2021 season with second year players starting at 4 positions: RB Cam Akers, OLB Terrell Lewis, SS Terrell Burgess and FS Jordan Fuller, as well as 2 key rotation spots: WR3 Van Jefferson and TE2 Brycen Hopkins.
With the exception of Hopkins, who didn't see any significant action, last years rookies all showed promise. On the down side, Akers, Lewis, Burgess and Fuller all missed time with injuries. While some injuries cannot be prevented (and, in Lewis' case, arose from lingering problems from prior injuries), I wonder if the Sophomore class will fare better after a full offseason under the supervision of the Rams' trainers. Last year's offseason was extremely truncated as a result of the pandemic, and perhaps that contributed to the bumps and bruises sustained during the season.
Certainly, the front office expects a lot from the Sophomore class, as they allowed Malcolm Brown, Josh Reynolds, Gerald Everett, Samson Ebukam and John Johnson - all of whom will likely be replaced by 2nd year players - to depart. Its a plan with some risk, but I feel pretty good about the prospects of achieving equal or better production with these rookie contract players.
Who knows... by this time next year, we may be looking at the 2020 draft class as one of the best the Rams have had in recent history.
With the exception of Hopkins, who didn't see any significant action, last years rookies all showed promise. On the down side, Akers, Lewis, Burgess and Fuller all missed time with injuries. While some injuries cannot be prevented (and, in Lewis' case, arose from lingering problems from prior injuries), I wonder if the Sophomore class will fare better after a full offseason under the supervision of the Rams' trainers. Last year's offseason was extremely truncated as a result of the pandemic, and perhaps that contributed to the bumps and bruises sustained during the season.
Certainly, the front office expects a lot from the Sophomore class, as they allowed Malcolm Brown, Josh Reynolds, Gerald Everett, Samson Ebukam and John Johnson - all of whom will likely be replaced by 2nd year players - to depart. Its a plan with some risk, but I feel pretty good about the prospects of achieving equal or better production with these rookie contract players.
Who knows... by this time next year, we may be looking at the 2020 draft class as one of the best the Rams have had in recent history.