The Los Angeles Rams enjoyed a bounce-back season in 2023 after missing the playoffs in 2022. Head coach Sean McVay has a mixed roster of aging veterans and ascending young building blocks. The Rams should be legitimate postseason contenders once again in 2024.
The Rams salvaged their 2023 campaign after a lackluster 3–6 start, going 7–1 in their final eight contests to clinch a 10–7 record and second place in the NFC West. It represented their fifth winning campaign in six seasons. McVay's squad were eliminated from the postseason via a 24-23 defeat to the Detroit Lions in the wild-card round.
There were several positive developments for the Rams throughout 2023. Quarterback Matthew Stafford recovered from an injury shortened 2022 season to re-establish himself as a high-level starter. The Rams and Stafford recently made adjustments to his contract that secured his immediate future with the team.
Rookie fifth-round receiver Puka Nacua was a complete revelation. Nacua broke the rookie receptions record (105) and rookie receiving yards record (1,486), the latter of which had stood since 1960 (Bill Groman, Houston Oilers, AFL). He's already a top receiver in the league.
Puka Nacua picking up where he left offpic.twitter.com/QGX3uD6tMz
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) July 28, 2024
The Rams' 2023 rookie class was arguably the best in the entire league. Second-round guard Steve Avila was a high-level performer. Avila is now moving to center, where he'll create rushing lanes for running back Kyren Williams, who enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023 by finishing third in the NFL in rushing yards with 1,144. Guard Jonah Jackson was added in free agency to finalize what should be a top-three offensive line in 2024.
Defensively, third-round rookie Kobie Turner led the entire defense in sacks with 9.0 quarterback takedowns. Fellow third-round pick Byron Young tied Aaron Donald in second with 8.0 sacks. Together, Turner and Young will be key to replacing Donald's production after the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year announced his retirement earlier this offseason.
General manager Les Snead has invested premium resources into replacing Donald. He spent his first-round pick on EDGE Jared Verse. Snead also drafted former FSU defensive tackle Braden Fiske to play a sizable role on the interior this season.
How do you fill the MASSIVE hole left by the 8x first-team All Pro Aaron Donald...??? 👀#Rams HC Sean McVay: "It's not ever gonna look the same as #99 did but we can still be a really good defense with 11 playing as one."@RamsNFL @AaronDonald97 @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/YdjlOPwBBr
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) July 26, 2024
Snead has done an unbelievable job replenishing this Rams roster with young talent via the draft after previously trading away so many picks in his successful pursuit of Super Bowl LVI. The Rams still have aging players that may soon need replacing like Cooper Kupp and Tre'Davious White. Snead's recent track record indicates they can quickly reload.
The NFC West is going to be extremely competitive throughout 2024. The San Francisco 49ers are reigning NFC champions and have designs on another Super Bowl appearance. The Seattle Seahawks finished one game behind the Rams in 2023 and will have playoff aspirations of their own. The Arizona Cardinals are an improved team that could make things tricky.
McVay, who previously flirted with early retirement, appears reinvigorated. His roster is loaded with ascending young talent that should keep the Rams contending in the NFC. Qualifying for the postseason in 2024 is a realistic goal.
