The Los Angeles Rams have an abundance of talent across their roster, across all three phases of the game (offense, defense and special teams). There are budding stars at several positions, which gives the Rams a wide-open window to win a championship in the next few years.
Here are the six fastest rising stars on the team, beginning with standout safety John Johnson III.
Safety John Johnson
Johnson may not be a star just yet, but he’s definitely on the path to becoming one. He enjoyed a terrific 2018 season with 119 tackles and four interceptions, grading out as Pro Football Focus’ seventh-best safety in the league. He didn’t make the Pro Bowl for his efforts – not that the Rams could’ve participated in it anyway – but as long as he continues to play the way he has in his first two seasons, he’ll be a household name very soon.
Johnson has the athleticism, versatility and instincts of a perennial Pro Bowl safety and playing next to Eric Weddle in 2019 will only help him develop further.
WR Cooper Kupp
Kupp was already a fan favorite in L.A. from the day he was drafted two years ago. He was a “draft crush” of many and when the Rams landed him in Round 3, he was viewed as a steal. Despite missing eight games last season, he’s still been a very productive player for the Rams, catching 102 passes for 1,435 yards and 11 touchdowns in only 23 games (14 starts).
He’s not your prototypical slot receiver in that he doesn’t possess great speed or elite quickness, but he’s a good route runner and has a good feel for the defense. He knows when to sit down in a hole against zone and shake nickel defenders in man coverage, making him a favorite target of Goff’s.
TE Gerald Everett
If there’s ever been a time for Everett to elevate his game and become a star, it’s now. He surpassed Tyler Higbee as the No. 1 tight end toward the end of last season and into the playoffs, a trend that should continue next season. He has good hands, is dangerous in the open field and is improving as a blocker, becoming a more well-rounded tight end for the Rams.
He should take a step forward yet again in 2019 and could elevate his game into one that warrants consideration as a top-10 tight end. That’s the potential Everett has, he just has to capitalize on it and put it all together.
RT Rob Havenstein
Havenstein got a nice contract extension last offseason and promptly repaid the Rams with the best season of his career. He’s a mauler in the running game and very capable in pass protection, blocking some of the better edge rushers in the league last season.
Right tackles typically don’t get the recognition that left tackles do, but Havenstein has quickly become one of the better overall tackles in football. He’s a huge part of the Rams offensive line and as long as he doesn’t regress next season, he’ll be on track to make his first Pro Bowl.
DE/OLB John Franklin-Myers
Franklin-Myers’ rookie season was best remembered for his strip-sack on Tom Brady in the Super Bowl, but other than that, it was relatively uneventful. That was largely because of a lack of playing time, but he should get more snaps next season. He can play outside linebacker, a position the Rams need help at, as well as defensive end where Michael Brockers was relatively ineffective last season.
Franklin-Myers is a good athlete with great size and length, which makes him a great fit at defensive end. Even if he doesn’t become a starter next season, he’ll be in line to replace Brockers in 2020 if the Rams don’t re-sign him.
ILB Cory Littleton
Littleton is already a Pro Bowler, but not as a linebacker. That was as a special teams player after he blocked two punts last season. He stood out in coverage but there was plenty left to be desired as a run defender. In today’s NFL, being good in coverage is crucial for inside linebackers, which makes Littleton a budding star. He just has to improve as a run defender.
Hopefully having a bigger nose tackle in front of him and Micah Kiser next to him at linebacker will help free Littleton up and allow him to play more aggressively.
