The Los Angeles Rams have revealed their team captains for the 2021 NFL season to be defensive tackle Aaron Donald, quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Robert Woods, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, left tackle Andrew Whitworth, safety Jordan Fuller, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and punter Johnny Hekker.
Donald’s status comes as no surprise considering he is the best defensive player in the league and a towering presence in the locker room. Although he has been a dominant force since entering the NFL in 2014, the 30-year-old has taken that next step as a veteran and a mentor for some of the new faces on the team in recent years.
Joining Donald on the defensive side of the ball is their other superstar in Ramsey, who is widely regarded as the league’s premier shutdown corner. Despite being in the prime of his career, he is another player that has taken teammates under his wing since come to L.A. via blockbuster trade.
Ramsey made it clear that he will be flexing his versatility in coverage this year, along with giving the usual commands in the secondary.
Fortunately, Ramsey will have some help in the form of Fuller. The second-year safety is clearly poised to take on an integral role following a stellar rookie year that saw him establishing himself as quite a steal after being taken in the sixth round.
Fuller’s rise from overlooked prospect to team captain is indicative of the tremendous strides he has made so early in his career.
Leading the offensive side of the ball is the aerial assault team in Stafford, Woods, and Cupp. They are joined by their best protector in the veteran Whitworth.
The trade for Stafford generated some Super Bowl buzz for the Rams thanks to the personnel now at bis disposal. Woods and Cupp are one of the most productive receiver tandems in the league while Whitworth has shown that he still has enough in the tank for one more memorable season.
Rounding out the team captains is none other Hekker, who has served as the staple of this special teams unit since 2013. For the first time in his career, there was some uncertainty regarding his future with the Rams this offseason.
Fortunately, Hekker’s status as the anchor of their specialist remains unchanged as he looks to bounce back from a down year.
