The Los Angeles Rams are hoping for a bounce-back season in 2020 after a disappointing 2019 campaign in which they missed the postseason a year after reaching the Super Bowl.
It remains to be seen how much roster overhaul will take place with free agency and the draft just around the corner, but the Rams have already gotten a head start on some changes to their coaching staff.
Although Sean McVay is still at the helm, the Rams have a new offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator. The most dramatic change comes at the defensive end, as the Rams decided to let go of veteran defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
To replace Phillips, the Rams hired former Denver Broncos linebackers coach Brandon Staley, giving him his first coordinator job. While Staley plans to run the same 3-4 defensive scheme that Phillips had in place, there obviously will be some changes with a new coordinator at the helm.
Rams general manager Les Snead is well-aware of that, and it was something for him and the coaching staff to consider when evaluating draft prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine this year, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“It definitely does change (our approach), probably more on defense than offense, in that, okay, let’s really sit down with the two new coordinators, but because Brandon’s philosophy is going to be slightly different than Wade’s,” Snead said at the NFL Scouting Combine last week. “Which positions are most important? What type of players do you need playing those positions? Do we have them? If we don’t, can we get by? So those are very, very important and will be fruitful meetings before free agency starts and the draft.”
The Rams free agency and draft should be of utmost importance as the team has some big needs on defense. Staley has stated that one of the team’s biggest needs will be the linebacker position.
L.A. had some fire power at linebacker last year between Dante Fowler Jr., Cory Littleton and Bryce Hager, all of whom are free agents. With so many questions marks on defense, the Rams are likely eying some linebackers in the draft in case they loses some of those key players.
Staley also stated that he hopes to have some versatile players on the defense, particularly along the defensive line and amongst the safeties. Luckily for Staley, much of the Rams players along those fronts will not be entering free agency. Outside of losing safety Eric Weddle to retirement, safety Marqui Christian and defensive tackle Michael Brockers are the only players in those categories set to enter free agency.
Brockers gave a heartfelt message thanking the Rams organization and fans for supporting him during his time with the team, indicating that he will be testing free agency.
Of course, the Rams could elect to bring him back, but so far there has been little to no indication on what the Rams are hoping to do with any of their free agents. Littleton has to be considered their biggest priority, although he is the best linebacker on the market so will likely have multiple lucrative offers thrown his way.
