It’s not like the easy part for the Rams was actually getting back to Los Angeles, but with that leg of their franchise trip officially completed, an even bigger objective comes into focus.
And this one requires more than the $8 billion bankroll of owner Stan Kroenke and a coalition of fellow National Football League owners.
The Rams will now zero in on seizing the opportunity by building a roster and product worthy of the second-biggest market in the country. And that begins with adding the necessary pieces to propel the Rams back to the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
It’s a tall challenge to be sure, but a close inspection of their roster reveals a team that isn’t far off from assembling all the pieces for a postseason run.
Provided, of course, some key additions can be made in free agency and the draft.
Much of the foundation is currently in place, although with as many as 28 unrestricted, restricted and exclusive-rights free agents, there is plenty of work ahead to preserve much of that base. However, the Rams are projected to have approximately $32 million in available cap space, so with some contract structuring creativity they will have enough money to re-sign the players they deem worthy.
Here is a closer look at the roster that Rams general manager Les Snead, his staff and head coach Jeff Fisher will build on:
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
Nick Foles
Casey Keenum
Sean Mannion
Breakdown: Neither Foles nor Keenum distinguished themselves in 2015 as the Rams quarterback of the future, and Mannion, a rookie from Oregon State, attempted just seven passes over the course of his first season. It’s no surprise, then, that Snead is already on record as saying the quarterback job is up for grabs in 2016.
Foles, whom the Rams acquired from Philadelphia in a trade for Sam Bradford last offseason, threw for 2,052 yards and seven touchdowns on 190-of-337 passing in 11 games. He also threw 10 interceptions and compiled a quarterback rating of just 69.0. The Rams extended his contract last year by two years for $24.5 million, of which $12.02 was fully guaranteed. That includes the $6 million roster bonus for 2016, and, if he’s on the roster on March 20, his $1.75 million base salary for 2016 becomes guaranteed.
Theoretically, the Rams could release him before then — and save a minimal $750,000 against the cap — but it’s more likely they keep him at least through the 2016 season.
When Foles was benched after week 11, Keenum took over and completed 76 of 125 passes for 828 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Not exceptional numbers by any means, but his 87.7 quarterback rating was respectable.
Analysis: At this point, Foles and Keenum — a restricted free agent — are just placeholders for the Rams’ eventual quarterback of the future, and neither has a secured roster spot in 2016. Mannion, who was selected in the third round last April, will be given every chance to show he can be the quarterback moving forward, but expect the Rams to look at free agency and the draft for a more definitive answer. With so many other pieces in place to make a playoff run, solidifying the quarterback position is of utmost importance.
RUNNING BACKS
Todd Gurley
Malcolm Brown
Benjamin Cunningham
Tre Mason
Trey Watts
Breakdown: The Rams hit a home run by drafting Gurley last year despite him suffering a serious knee injury at Georgia just months before. After getting cleared to play three weeks into the regular season, Gurley rushed for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns over 13 games and earned second-team All-Pro honors, various Rookie of the Year awards and a trip to the Pro Bowl. In the process, he became the obvious anchor the Rams hope to build their offensive around and will be the perfect weapon for coach Jeff Fisher’s preference to play ball control offense behind a strong defense.
The Rams’ rushing offense was an efficient seventh-best in the NFL, thanks to Gurley and the contributions made by wide receiver Tavon Austin (434 yards on 52 carries) and the combined 347 yards by Mason and Watts.
Analysis: With Gurley and the contributions of Austin, the Rams have a playoff-caliber running game. However, better depth and competition behind Gurley is needed, and the draft and free agency could be a place the Rams turn to find it.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Tavon Austin
Kenny Britt
Isiah Ferguson
Bradley Marquez
Brian Quick
Nick Toon
Wes Welker
Jared Cook
Cory Harkey
Lance Kendricks
Breakdown: Aside from quarterback, the Rams’ most pressing need is securing a No. 1 wide receiver capable of taking over a game. Not only will it amplify the Rams’ offensive versatility, it will benefit whoever lines up behind center and open the field for playmakers like Austin and Gurley. Austin led the Rams with 52 receptions, but no other wide receiver had more than 37 — although tight end Jared Cook did have 39 catches.
It’s no surprise, then, they ended up dead last while averaging just 175.3 per game passing.
Analysis: The Rams’ passing game woes are equal parts inconsistent quarterback play and the lack of an explosive, top-notch wide receiver. Figuring it out is essential to the Rams taking the next step.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Tim Barnes C
Brian Folkerts C
Eric Kush C
Jake McQuaide C
Demetrius Rhaney C
Jamon Brown G
Garrett Reynolds G
Rodger Saffol G
Cody Wichmann G
Isaiah Battle OT
Andrew Donnal OT
Robert Havenstein OT
Greg Robinson OT
Darrell Williams OT
Breakdown: The Rams took a pivot recently by investing heavily in the offensive line during the last two drafts. The result is a much-improved unit and three starters — tackles Greg Robinson and Rob Havenstein and guard Jamon Brown — who were picked within the first three rounds in 2014 and 2015. Despite losing two starters to season-ending injuries last year, the Rams’ running game was the seventh-best in the NFL, and their quarterbacks were sacked an NFL-low 18 times.
Analysis: By investing seven picks in the 2014 and 2015 drafts, the Rams have created stability and productivity along the offensive line and secured both their tackles for years to come. Moving forward, they have a decision to make in either re-signing unrestricted free agent center Tim Barnes or replacing him in the draft. Overall, though, the Rams’ offensive line is developing into a strength.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
William Hayes DE
Chris Long DE
Matt Longacre DE
Robert Quinn DE
Eugene Sims DE
Michael BrockerS DT
Aaron Donald DT
Nick Fairley DT
Louis Trinca-PasaT DT
Ethan Westbrooks DT
Doug Worthington DT
Breakdown: Make no mistake, the face of the Rams’ talented defense begins with second-year defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who many regard as one of the best players in the game regardless of position. Donald is a disruptive, nearly unblockable force and finished last year with a team-high 22 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. With Donald leading the way, the Rams’ defensive line sacked opposing quarterbacks 41 times. Quinn and Long were both sidelined with injuries last year, but both hope to have bounce-back seasons in 2016. Brockers uses his 6-foot-5, 326-pound body to control the middle of the line and help free up Donald and the Rams defensive ends to create havoc.
Analysis: The starting defensive line is a strength for the Rams, and Hayes Sims provide talented depth. That said, with Quinn and Long getting older, expect the Rams to add some youth through the draft.
LINEBACKERS
Akeem Ayers
Daren Bates
Bryce Hager
James Laurinaitis
Cameron Lynch
Alec Ogletree
Breakdown: Laurinaitis is the face of the Rams’ linebacking corps, an athletic, playmaking middle linebacker who finished with 109 tackles last season. Ayers and Ogletree — who was limited to four games due to a season-ending ankle injury — are young, fast, athletic defenders who the Rams can count on for the foreseeable future.
Analysis: The Rams are set at linebacker, especially if safety/hybrid linebacker Mark Barron is re-signed and picks up where he left off last season. It’s a young, dynamic, athletic group that fits perfectly with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ attacking style.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
E.J. Gaines CB
Janoris Jenkins CB
Trumaine Johnson CB
Lamarcus Joyner CB
Eric Patterson CB
Marcus Roberson CB
Cody Davis DB
Troy Hill DB
Christian Bryant S
T.J. McDonald S
Maurice Alexander SS
Mark Barron SS
Rodney McLeod FS
Breakdown: The Rams’ defensive backfield is a talented bunch, but eight players are facing potential free agency with Jenkins, Johnson and Barron all unrestricted free agents. Jenkins and Johnson are huge priorities after combining for 10 interceptions last season, as is Barron, who played well in run support. McDonald, the former USC standout, is expected back from shoulder surgery while McLeod played well on the back end.
Analysis: This is a deep, talented unit. But the Rams have some big questions in bringing the majority of it back.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Johnny Heckker P
Greg Zuerlein K
Breakdown: Hekker was named to the Pro Bowl for the second time in three seasons, but Zuerlein was just 20 of 30 on field goals while connecting on 26 of 28 extra points.
Analysis: Zuerlein’s production and accuracy took a dramatic turn for the worse the past two years, with his field goal percentage slipping to 66.7 after peaking at 92.9 in 2013. Going into his contract year, he needs a bounce-back season to secure his long-range future.
