TAKING STOCK: 2022 LOS ANGELES RAMS

BY ADAM GREENE

It all worked exactly according to plan. The Los Angeles Rams traded away their former No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff, two more first rounders (and more) to the Detroit Lions for a different former No. 1 overall selection —  Matthew Stafford. Before the trade deadline, they shipped their 2022 second and third round picks to the Denver Broncos for future first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer Von Miller and then signed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. off the street once his time with the Cleveland Browns had gone sour.

They went “All In.” And all it got them was a Super Bowl LVI Championship in a come from behind victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

But you know what’s cooler than winning a Super Bowl? Winning back to back Super Bowls and the Rams have had one goal since the offseason began — to “run it back.”

LOS ANGELES RAMS

2021-22 Record: 12-5, first place NFC Wes

Playoffs: Won Super Bowl LVI 23-20 over the Cincinnati Bengals

NOW WHAT?

LA has not gone gently into the offseason, but their one non free agency move stung. To clear up some salary space, they traded wide receiver Robert Woods to the Tennessee Titans for a sixth round selection. It wasn’t the only bruise on the apple so far, but Bobby Trees was a popular guy with the fanbase and in the locker room.

It was already a player space that would be absent one team leader as starting left tackle Andrew Whitworth called it a Hall of Fame career after his 16^th NFL season.

But, those moves gave the Rams some cap space to work with and work with it they did.

FREE AGENCY

In a week of big splashes, the Rams once again made headlines adding future Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner to their defense on a five year contract. Their big move proceeding that was bringing in wide receiver Allen Robinson. They managed to keep kick returner Brandon Powell, but have lost plenty of players to other teams wanting to poach talent from the Super Bowl Champions.

Von Miller, who was huge in the Rams playoff and Super Bowl push, signed a monster deal with the Buffalo Bills. Cornerback Darious Williams left for the Jacksonville Jaguars, guard Austin Corbett and punter Johnny Hekker are now a Carolina Panthers. Tight end Johnny Mundt left for the Minnesota Vikings and probably the biggest losses, outside of Woods and Miller, were starting defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, who joins his former defensive coordinator Brandon Staley with the Los Angeles Chargers, and pass rusher Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who is now a Houston Texan.

They re-signed left tackle Joe Noteboom, who played at an elite level whenever called upon and will take over for Whitworth permanently. They also brought back starting center Brian Allen, but could move him to guard with Corbett gone and the emergence of Coleman Shelton, who they also did not allow to leave the facility. Bobby Evans could also work his way into the mix, depending on what else the Rams do in free agency after the draft.

There’s still the matter of Odell Beckham Jr., a guy the Rams want to have back and a guy who wants to return as well. He won’t be ready to play until November, so it’ll be interesting to see if another team swoops in with too sweet a deal for OBJ to pass up before he and Los Angeles can work out the details.

DRAFT

With no first or second rounders to speak of, the Rams will make their first selection, barring a trade, at No. 104 in the third round. With no glaring holes, they should be thinking best defensive player or offensive lineman available. They’ve historically nailed these picks under Sean McVay and Les Snead. I like one of the two Tennessee kids here, cornerback Alontae Taylor or offensive lineman Cade Mays. Jayden Peevy, defensive lineman from Texas A&M would make a lot of sense too.

NFC WEST

For years the NFC West has been the best division in the sport. That won’t be the case in 2022-23. Russell Wilson is no longer with the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers will be breaking in second year quarterback Trey Lance as their new starter. Lance might be better than Jimmy Garoppolo in the long run, but not out of the gate. This division is a two team race between the Rams and Arizona Cardinals and LA has a significant edge. But, more than that, Los Angeles is one of the four best teams in the NFC and, regardless of what the odds say regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I still think they’re the squad to beat. This is your NFC West Champion and a team that could and should nab home field advantage in the playoffs.

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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