The 5 things (other than health) that can make the Rams unstoppable in 2022

[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.

 

[bubbaramfan]

And Noteboom holds up for 17 games and the playoffs.

 

[AvengerRam]

And Noteboom holds up for 17 games and the playoffs.

What part of "other than health" did you not get?

(Or are you questioning is ability to play at a high level, rather than his ability to stay on the field?)

 

[bubbaramfan]

Actually both

 

[AvengerRam]

Actually both

Fair enough. Still... solid play from Noteboom would put us in the same position as last year (when we received solid play from Whit). I'm looking for things that could bring us to an even higher level.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

Are you looping in the IOL with Cam Akers?

 

[AvengerRam]

Are you looping in the IOL with Cam Akers?

Not really. We're returning 2 out of 3 starters, and have two good candidates to replace Austin Corbett, who isn't exactly a world beater. I expect comparable play from the IOL. At RB, there could be a significant improvement.

 

[Merlin]

Good list and I'd go with three of them required for the Rams to be a juggernaut: run game, stuffing the run game, and improved corner play.

Seems like the Rams defense is going to stuff the run for a couple reasons, those being they have two consecutive years of top ten run defense, and they added Wagner behind some real good run stuffers. This one's likely I think so one of the three at least has a good chance of occurring.

Run game is really interesting to me and it's where you want that RG change to Bruss to happen to ensure the physicality is there. Bruss should win that job. If not that's a big hit for the class, as he was identified to come in and start and it's not like any of the Rams holdovers are going to be so dominant there that it would prevent a young stud OG from winning the job. Chances of this are solid I think, and certainly by midseason he should be in there doing his thing.

Corner has been underwhelming. It's been Ramsey and the funky bunch and they benefitted greatly from the rush last year, you could see the difference in the playoff stretch vs the first half of the season and it was night and day. With Von gone they need to cover better plain and simple. The good thing here is that they deviated from last year's upside draft and went with some guys who have polish to them in the draft and I do think these kids are going to impact the defense. I've been particularly high on Durant since he's got the juice plus the ball skills, but Kendrick coming in with some big balls is a great sign and bottom line is we need the fresh blood back there. I feel really good about our corner group right now but will feel much better when they identify the top three and start moving forward with them. Whoever wins the depth is going to be far better than last year.

Tempted to throw safety out there too. But I really feel like those three things virtually guarantee us a deep playoff run. Question is if things go our way from the bounces to the injuries.

 

[Kupped]

Allen Robinson.
I don't know if we're just taking it for granted that he'll help.... but I think he'll help to the point of being WR 1B.. not #2. He and Kupp together will twist defenses into knots.

How well Morris integrates Wagner and Jones into the defense.. especially the pass rush.

I have high hopes that the secondary will be appreciably better this year. Williams was a loss.. but if we're getting back the Troy Hill of two years ago.. and if Long builds on last postseason.. and Rochell takes a good step.. and if they found a gem in Kendrick? This will be an ass-kicking group.
Seeing Deayon on the field last year was, to me, just a bad sign. Liked the kid.. but wayyyyy to small to be on an NFL field at key moments.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

Not really. We're returning 2 out of 3 starters, and have two good candidates to replace Austin Corbett, who isn't exactly a world beater. I expect comparable play from the IOL. At RB, there could be a significant improvement.

We were 26th in yards per attempt, so being comparable is not good. I think that's more on the o line and not Akers being out. If we want to be unstoppable that's what need to improve to have a balanced attack.

 

[Kupped]

We were 26th in yards per attempt, so being comparable is not good. I think that's more on the o line and not Akers being out. If we want to be unstoppable that's what need to improve to have a balanced attack.

Corbett may not be a world beater.. but his FA deal says something about his value. If Bruss doesn’t win the job, I’ll be a little concerned.

 

[oldnotdead]

If the Rams made no play to return Corbett then Edwards will be gone next year as well. But the Rams already have Shelton and Bruss. One will start at RG this year with the other taking over next year. Havenstein will be replaced by Jackson next year as well. This year's OL will be as good as last year's if not better. Next year's OL will be better yet. They will have Arcuri at swing OT, Anchrum OG/C, Snyder OG as their gameday reserves. The OL looks set for the next few years.

I don't think you can disregard Williams as the #3 RB. He will be their 3rd down RB. Henderson is a FA next year and I don't see him being extended due to his injury history. Drafting a RB will be a priority in next year's draft. RB is one of the few positions a rookie can play as a rookie because the skill set requirements are largely the same. This is why the importance of Williams can't be overlooked.

I have every expectation that Rochell will return as the starter opposite Ramsey. I also expect Durant to emerge as the #3CB. His speed and skillset will allow Morris to play Ramsey anywhere in the secondary. Ramsey can move into the star position with Rochell shifting to RCB and Durant at LCB. Having 4.3 speed in these CBs will allow Morris to move them around at will. He has played 3 safeties because of the lack of true depth at CB. Long has never emerged as a true option. I think Durant will allow Morris to use a CB as his nickel DB instead of a safety.

From reports, Lewis is looking like he might have that breakout year at DE. Hollins played well until his injury in rotation. I think the plan is to critically review Lewis and Hollins in TC to see if they can get that second edge with them. But I also would expect trade opportunities to present themselves at the end of TC.

I think barring injuries the window for OBJ has closed. He's too injury prone to pay the kind of money he's expecting. Jefferson had a breakout year despite playing a lot of it hurt. His production equaled or surpassed OBJ's his the past 3 years. Now the Rams have an emerging Tutu and Harris. Reports are that Harris is no longer going to be flip flopped between WR and TE and will be strictly a backup WR. So with Benny Sko, Tutu, and Harris, they are 3 deep at WR. You have to wonder if McVay will play 4 WRs occasionally. With Robinson, Jefferson, Harris and Kupp that is some serious speed out there. Someone is going to be open and if the pass is completed there will be some serious YAC to be made. Don't forget with Akers at RB that gives Stafford 5 fast receivers. He alone can take a swing pass and get 20 yds off a play like that.

When Morris goes to a 4-3 front, Floyd, AD, Gaines, Lewis on the DL, Hollins, Wagner, and Jones at LB the Rams will have an outstanding front 7, able to pressure the QB with a 4 or 5 man rush or play strong against the run. In their nickel they will have CBs Ramsey, Rochell, Durant and safeties of Fuller and Scott.

Robinson will play a rotational/situational role. B. Brown must show he can play. IMO the Rams are hoping Brown can show he can be that rotational/situational guy next year so that the Rams don't have to extend Robinson. There is no question in my mind that the D has all the pieces and the depth to be a top 5 unit.

These are the reasons I think this team is overall better than last year's team. Wagner, Hollins and Jones give Morris that 5th rusher while still having solid LBs in coverage. These 3 LBs also will be key in stopping runs. Wagner changes the whole dynamic of how Morris can play his defense. Wagner can become that pressure guy as a 5th rusher. Sacks can come not only from the edge but from a blitzing LB and with Wagner, Hollins and Jones they have 3 good blitzing LBs.

A healthy Rams offense and defense will be an absolute nightmare to match up with. That is why they shouid absolutely be SB favorites even now.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Getting Cam Akers back is the equivalent of adding a free agent at the RB position.

He played some last season, but lets be real… THIS year Cam is healthy.

 

[OnceARam]

@AvengerRam Aren't you forgetting Justin Hollins? Dude was a beast prior to going down last season.

 

[AvengerRam]

@AvengerRam Aren't you forgetting Justin Hollins? Dude was a beast prior to going down last season.

He’s a solid player, but I don’t know that he has the potential to become an A list pass rusher.

 

[OnceARam]

He’s a solid player, but I don’t know that he has the potential to become an A list pass rusher.

Yeah, I don't know either. That said, a "B" pass rusher may be enough with Floyd on the other side.

 

[Steve808]

In addition to our WR corps, we get Higbeast back next season and his two backups did a fantastic job in the playoffs and super bowl.

 

[fanotodd]

The RB room needs to be able to replace michel and his type of use from last season. As good as Henderson and Akers are when on the field, michel brought a tougher style that worked better at times.

DL depth. If we want to enjoy a few more dominant seasons from AD, his snap count needs to start coming down.

 

[Kupped]

The RB room needs to be able to replace michel and his type of use from last season. As good as Henderson and Akers are when on the field, michel brought a tougher style that worked better at times.

DL depth. If we want to enjoy a few more dominant seasons from AD, his snap count needs to start coming down.

I think a healthy Akers is powerful enough, tbh.

I'm on the same page when it comes to Donald. He had a career high snap count last year.. I want that down significantly... I'm hoping close to 20% less, to be honest. Let's see Copeland and Hoecht step up.