The Los Angeles Rams have Pro Bowlers all over their roster, from Jared Goff to Marcus Peters. They’re certainly not lacking talent when it comes to the most important positions, which is why they should be Super Bowl contenders in 2019.
However, a few players are still waiting to make their first Pro Bowl. Making the NFL’s all-star game is no small feat, but these four players could put together a strong campaign in 2019 and earn a selection.
Here are four Rams players poised to make their first Pro Bowl next season.
FS John Johnson
Johnson stuffed the stat sheet like few other players did last season, finishing the year with 119 tackles, 11 passes defensed, four interceptions and three tackles for loss. Only one other player had at least 110 tackles and four interceptions last season, and it was Shawn Williams of the Bengals.
Obviously, there’s more to being a great safety than high tackle totals and interceptions, but Johnson is undoubtedly one of the best players at his position regardless. He was Pro Football Focus’ seventh-highest graded safety in 2018 and he should only get better in his third NFL season.
RT Rob Havenstein
Havenstein had his best season in 2018 after signing a contract extension with the Rams. He made Los Angeles look smart for locking him up early by performing as one of the NFL’s best right tackles. Like Johnson, he was also the No. 7 overall player at his position on PFF’s grading scale, which is especially impressive considering it accounts for all tackles.
Making the Pro Bowl as an offensive lineman is difficult because it’s not easy to quantify their value or level of play. Havenstein has to limit the number of sacks he allows and pave the way for big rushing seasons by Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson.
WR Brandin Cooks
This spot could’ve gone to any of the Rams’ top three receivers, but Cooks gets the nod.
He’s recorded four straight years with at least 65 catches and 1,000 yards with five-plus touchdowns in each season. He’s done that with three different teams and three different quarterbacks, yet he’s never made the Pro Bowl. That should change in 2019. Cooks has some consistency with Jared Goff as his quarterback and although Cooper Kupp’s return could limit his targets, Cooks will continue his streak of 1,000-yard seasons.
To make the Pro Bowl, a wideout has to put up big numbers. As good as Kupp is, he probably won’t be a receiver who eclipses 1,400 yards. Robert Woods is on the same tier as Cooks, but he may have hit his ceiling last season with 1,200 yards. Cooks is a player with the potential to catch 90 passes for 1,400 yards, which should be good enough to get him into the Pro Bowl (finally).
CB Nickell Robey-Coleman
He might not necessarily be “poised” to make the Pro Bowl, but Robey-Coleman can certainly make a case for himself with a strong 2019 season. Slot defenders have seen their value increase lately due to the heavy reliance on nickel packages, and Robey-Coleman is one of the best inside corners in the NFL.
The NFL should actually add nickel cornerbacks as a position on Pro Bowl ballots, which would help get players like Robey-Coleman the recognition they deserve. If he stands out in the secondary and continues to improve as he has the last two years, don’t be surprised if he makes a case for the Pro Bowl.
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