With the NFL Draft well behind us and the bulk of free agency over, it’s time to examine every NFL roster ahead of the 2024 NFL season to try and gauge how each team will perform next season. In this vein, The 33rd Team’s Ian Valentino released his top-ten rosters in the NFL, and the Los Angeles Rams made the list.
The Rams had the 10th-ranked roster in the NFL, according to Valentino. Los Angeles appeared behind Green Bay, Baltimore, Miami, New York Jets, Detroit, Philadelphia, Kansas City, San Francisco, and Cleveland. Interestingly enough, this would put the Rams with the fifth-best roster in the NFC, a testament to the Rams’ roster construction.
Here’s what Valentino wrote about the Rams’ roster:
“Whether it’s because the Los Angeles Rams succeeded in 2023 thanks to a slew of unknown defensive players or their dismal 2022 season, which was wrecked by injuries, the buzz around this team is surprisingly low.
Sure, Aaron Donald retired, but the Rams finished 10-7 after ripping off seven wins in their final eight regular-season games last year. This young defense began to complement its explosive offense, setting the formula for how they’ll be more competitive in 2024.
Getting Matthew Stafford another big-time playmaker in Puka Nacua last year, and then rebuilding the offensive line with two big free agents this year, is massive. The offense no longer has a clear weakness, as Kyren Williams established himself as a quality starter, and the Rams addressed the depth of every position through free agency or the draft.
Sean McVay already had the eighth-best scoring offense, and they could push into the top five this fall.
The Rams’ defense might be more interesting for football nerds. Adding the Florida State rookie duo of Jared Verse and Braden Fiske helps a pass rush that was already impactful with Kobie Turner and Byron Young. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula has more young legs to work with and create pressure.
Behind them is an overhauled secondary that has taken some risks with Tre’Davious White and Kamren Kinchens, but the unit has a high football IQ and versatility.
If Kinchens can overcome a terrible scouting combine performance, and one of the roster’s many young corners becomes an above-average starter, the Rams might have a top-10 defense in 2024.”
I’m not quite as excited about the offense, but the unit should continue to be one of the best, given Sean McVay’s acumen and Stafford’s ability.
The defensive back room, like Valentino alluded to, is the Rams’ biggest question mark. We have no idea how Tre’Davious White will perform after back-to-back injuries, and the players, outside of Darious Williams and Kamren Curl, are unproven at best. If the Rams can find consistency there, they should be much better than the last two seasons.
