Since Sean McVay arrived in 2017, the Los Angeles Rams have done an excellent job surrounding Jared Goff with talent. After battling through a rough rookie season in 2016, Goff has turned it around and become a two-time Pro Bowler – in part because he has playmakers on offense now.
Between Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks, Cooper Kupp, Todd Gurley and even Gerald Everett, there’s no doubt Goff has one of the strongest supporting casts in the league. Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon recently ranked every quarterback’s group of playmakers and the Rams checked in at No. 3.
Gagnon mentions Gurley’s knee injury and Los Angeles’ quartet of receivers – Josh Reynolds included – as the main reasons for the high ranking, as well as the young tandem of Gerald Everett and Tyler Higbee at tight end.
We got evidence late last year that the Rams running game can still be effective without riding Gurley to a point of exhaustion, and it’s possible he’ll still flourish in a less intense role. If that happens, Kupp returns and either tight end can rise up, this might be the best supporting cast in the NFL. But it’s unlikely all of that happens, so for now they’re the second runner-up.
The Saints and Browns were the only teams ranked ahead of the Rams, and while it’s easy to make the case that Cleveland deserves to be higher, New Orleans’ group is more top-heavy than Los Angeles’.
The Saints are reliant on Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas, who are two of the best at their respective positions. However, beyond them, there’s a significant drop-off, unlike the Rams. You can’t go wrong with either group, but it’s reasonable to think the Rams should be higher than New Orleans.
