With a young core of star players that features Aaron Donald, Jared Goff and Todd Gurley, the Los Angeles Rams are undeniably set up for future success. The salary cap has been well-managed, the front office has drafted well despite not making a first-round pick since 2016 and veterans continue to play at a high level.
Their current roster is constructed to win a Super Bowl now and contend in the future, too, which makes them one of the few teams positioned to do both. ESPN doesn’t view the Rams as the team best set up for success in the next three years, however, putting them further down in the NFL future power rankings.
The Rams were ranked eighth on the list with an overall score of 82.8, which determined by a panel of experts rating parts of the franchise on a scale from 50-100. The roster accounted for 30 percent, quarterback 20 percent, the draft 15 percent, the front office 15 percent and coaching carried a weight of 20 percent.
Here’s how the Rams were graded in each department, along with their ranking in the rest of the NFL.
- Overall roster (minus QB): 82.7 (10)
- Quarterback: 83.0 (13)
- Coaching: 89.0 (4)
- Draft: 77.3 (12)
- Front office: 79.7 (11)
Field Yates applauded the Rams’ aggressiveness the last two years, going out and getting players such as Aqib Talib, Brandin Cooks and Marcus Peters. He also complimented Jared Goff as someone who has “found his groove under McVay.”
As is the case with every team, though, there are some concerns. Here’s the biggest worry facing the Rams, according to Louis Riddick.
Everything the Rams do offensively is predicated on strong offensive line play (as it is with every team) and an efficient, strong zone-running game that has been led by Todd Gurley over the past two seasons (658 touches, 3,924 scrimmage yards). There are major concerns about just how healthy Gurley (knee) is going to be moving forward, and it is unknown just how well rookie third-round RB Darrell Henderson will adjust to the NFL (although Rams coaches love him). There will be at least two new starters on the offensive line at center and left guard, where John Sullivan was released and Rodger Saffold left via free agency.
Riddick isn’t wrong: There is legitimate concern about Gurley’s knee and longevity as an NFL running back. If the team is already talking about potentially limiting his workload to keep him fresh for the duration of a season, it’s not a great sign.
The offensive line, which will now feature Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen, also has questions to answer after being one of the best units in football the last two years.
That said, the Rams still boast a talented roster that’s capable of beating any team in the NFL.
