In the wake of a disappointing season following their Super Bowl victory in 2022, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves in a rebuilding phase as they plan for the future. The recent draft showed promise for the team, with football experts ranking the Rams’ picks as twelfth overall. However, the true composition of their roster and its potential will only be revealed once the season kicks off.
According to Betway and the latest NFL betting odds, the Rams are +6000 long shots to win the 2024 Super Bowl. The depth of their roster has significantly improved, boasting many talented players to watch in the future, but the question remains. Will the Rams be able to reclaim their winning form and return to the playoffs, or will further adjustments be necessary?
The Rams’ Rebuilding Efforts
Winning back-to-back Super Bowls is a rarity in the NFL. Unfortunately, the Rams experienced a significant decline after their victorious campaign in 2022. By the midway point of the subsequent season, their chances of defending their title had evaporated, leaving fans bewildered by the team’s downfall.
Finishing the season with a lackluster 5-12 record, the Rams faced many challenges without a single pinpointed cause. The roster underwent substantial changes, accompanied by poor game plans, but the most significant obstacle was the injuries sustained by the offensive line. The lack of consistency among the starters severely hindered the Rams’ offensive capabilities.
Mismanagement of the roster following their Super Bowl win, combined with the failure to replace departing players adequately, further exacerbated the team’s difficulties. Additionally, excessive raises distributed to certain players made it arduous to maintain a balanced roster, impeding the Rams’ ability to acquire new talent.
Expectations for the 2023 Draft Class
Heading into the draft, the Rams had identified several key areas that required reinforcement, including an edge rusher, cornerback, punter, and defensive line. Despite not having a first-round pick this year, they acquired fourteen new players, prioritizing long-term development.
The Rams welcomed six offensive reinforcements, seven defensive reinforcements, and a punter. These selections encompassed picks from the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds. While most of these draft picks are considered long-term prospects, a few stand out as potential starters for the upcoming season, namely Steve Avila, Bryon Young, and Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson. Experts generally agree that the Rams fared well in the draft, but integrating these rookies smoothly into the roster will likely take time.
Steve Avila: Addressing Offensive Line Weakness
The selection of offensive lineman Steve Avila from Texas Christian in the second round is of utmost importance for the Rams. Avila’s inclusion aims to bolster an offensive line that struggled last season. Having been voted to the All-Big12 Conference team, he brings valuable skills and experience that can help rectify the team’s weaknesses in this area.
Bryon Young: Need for an Edge Rusher
Bryon Young, a former standout player from Tennessee, fills a critical void for the Rams as an edge rusher. With an impressive record of seven sacks and twelve tackles for losses in the previous season, he was rightly recognized with a spot on the All-SEC team. Young is poised to become a starter, replacing the recently released Leonard Floyd.
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson: Cornerback Depth
Selected in the sixth round, Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson joins the Rams from Texas Christian. An intriguing fact about him is that he is the nephew of Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Hodges-Tomlinson will compete for the cornerback position, and although not guaranteed a starting role, he is expected to make an early impact.
As the Los Angeles Rams embark on their journey toward redemption, the successes of the draft and the infusion of good talent offer hope for a brighter future. Fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming season to witness how the team’s rebuilt roster will fare on the gridiron.
