Category: Latest Rams news

Cooper Kupp was NFL’s most productive slot WR in 2019

Cooper Kupp led the NFL in receiving yards from the slot.

Cooper Kupp has far outperformed his draft slot after being a third-round pick in 2017. In three seasons, he’s already caught 196 passes for 2,596 yards and 21 touchdowns. He’s one of 11 players in the NFL with at least 190 catches, 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns in that span, and that’s with missing nine games.

Kupp stayed healthy for all 16 games this season, putting together the best year of his young career thus far. He caught 94 of the 134 passes thrown his way, gaining 1,161 yards receiving with 10 touchdown catches.

He primarily lines up in the slot, but not all of his production came from that position. With the way the Rams offense moves its receivers around, he lined up all over the formation. That being said, most of yards came inside.

There wasn’t a single receiver in the NFL with more yards from the slot this season, making Kupp the most productive in football

The peak of Kupp’s season came in Week 8 when he torched the Bengals for 220 yards on seven catches. He beat man and zone coverage in that game, pushing himself into the conversation as one of the best receivers in the league.

Since then, Kupp never reached 100 yards again and only caught 36 passes for 369 yards in his final eight games. Had he posted a similar second half as his first eight games (58 catches, 792 yards), he would’ve had a good chance to make the Pro Bowl.

Unfortunately, he cooled off and faded down the stretch as the Rams limited his playing time and went with more heavy packages on offense. That’s not to take away from the season he had, but it could’ve been even more special for the third-year receiver.

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Michael Brockers hoping Rams re-sign him: ‘I would love to be here’

Les Snead isn’t sure Michael Brockers will return in 2020, weighing the Rams’ options this offseason.

Michael Brockers has been a member of the Rams since he was drafted 14th overall in 2012. He’s one of the longest-tenured members of the team, having played 123 games in eight seasons.

He’s set to be a free agent in March, and as important a role as he’s played in recent years, Brockers may not be in the Rams’ plans for 2020 and beyond. He’s 29 years old and was making more than $11 million on his last three-year contract.

He won’t fetch that amount on his next deal, but he’s also not going to be as cheap as someone like Morgan Fox, who shared time with Brockers at defensive end toward the end of the season.

General manager Les Snead has a lot to work through in the coming months, and this week, he spoke specifically on Brockers’ situation.

“What’s his market moving forward? Can we afford that? Do we think he helps us?” Snead said about Brockers, via the team’s official site. “That’s where you got to get this passionate to 2021, 2022 however long we were to sign him. Is it best for us to allocate those resources to another position in our human being? That’s still yet to be determined.”

While there seems to be some doubt about where the Rams are headed with Brockers, there’s no question about what the veteran wants to do. He wants to remain in Los Angeles and help usher in a new era of Rams football when they move to SoFi Stadium next season.

“In my mind, (being) biased, I would love to be here,” Brockers said. “I’ve played the position, I’m comfortable here, comfortable with the coaching staff, comfortable with the standards we uphold here, but I understand it’s a business as well. Understanding that aspect, you never know.”

Brockers had a strong season in 2019, recording a career-high 63 tackles and posting three sacks. His nine quarterback hits were his second-most in a season, as well. He plays an important role, especially against the run, but money will of course be in the conversation; it’s possible Brockers can get more elsewhere.

Free agency opens in March, but the Rams can extend him before he hits the market. But with Cory Littleton, Andrew Whitworth and Dante Fowler Jr. also becoming free agents, Brockers isn’t the only priority.

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Jalen Ramsey sets sights high, aims to make his haters mad in 2020

Jalen Ramsey set a lofty goal for himself in 2020, attempting to allow zero touchdowns next year.

Jalen Ramsey was named to the Pro Bowl this season, despite having what many would consider a down year for the star cornerback. He only had one interception and five passes defensed, but he did force two fumbles and make 50 tackles in just 12 games.

He wasn’t targeted much this season, seeing only 68 passes come his way, but he did allow 45 of those to be completed – a rate of 66.2%, which was 8.2% higher than in 2018. Where he did improve was keeping receivers out of the end zone, surrendering one measly touchdown on the year; he allowed three in 2018.

Next season, he wants to reduce that number further. He doesn’t want to give up a single touchdown in 2020, which is something Stephon Gilmore, Tre’Davious White and Richard Sherman, among others, accomplished this year.

He’s planning to have a season that makes his doubters mad.

What may have sparked Ramsey’s tweet about wanting to allow no touchdowns in 2020 is Darrelle Revis’ tweet showing how he never got safety help over the top when playing in man coverage.

Revis was one of the best cover corners in NFL history during his prime, and Ramsey believes he has one thing in common with him: a lack of safety help.

Ramsey is under contract through next season, but after that, he’ll be a free agent. The Rams haven’t said when he’ll get an extension, but that’s ultimately the goal after trading two first-rounders for him in October. Whenever he does get paid, he’s going to reset the cornerback market with a historic contract.

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Rams will evaluate ‘improving the run game’ with OL, RBs and TEs

The Rams are going to look at improving their running game, but not just at one position.

In each of Sean McVay’s first two seasons as head coach, the Rams ranked in the top 10 in rushing. They were eighth in 2017 and third in 2018, each time being led by Todd Gurley in the backfield.

This season, the Rams took a major step back. They finished the year with 1,499 yards rushing on 401 attempts, which ranked 26th and 18th in the NFL, respectively. Their 3.7 yards per carry as a team were 27th, a far cry from the 4.9 yards per carry they averaged in 2018 and 4.3 the year before.

Most of the blame and credit for a team’s success or failure on the ground falls on the running back. That’s not always fair, given the role the offensive line and tight ends play in the running game.

Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead know the Rams have to be better in that department next season, but there isn’t a one-step solution to the problem. They’re going to work on this element of the offense by evaluating the offensive line, running backs and tight ends.

“I think we’re evaluating more improving the run game,” Snead said, via the Associated Press. “It’s probably boring, but that’s a collective thing. All really good running backs probably give their offensive linemen nice gifts after Christmas after a successful year, and I think that’s for a reason. I think we all know that. We’ve got to look at offensive linemen and runners and tight ends and how we’re running the football, instead of just one individual.”

Snead was asked by reporters whether Gurley was the same player he was in previous seasons, to which he said flatly, “This year, he wasn’t.” But Gurley isn’t the only problem. The offensive line struggled in run blocking, which was evident in the season finale when Gurley had six carries for minus-5 yards at one point.

But at the same time, Gurley didn’t have the same explosiveness or knack for creating big plays that he had the past two seasons. Snead isn’t giving up on him, of course, saying there have been instances where players bounce back from disappointing seasons in the past.

“I think we’ve seen players have years that were less than the past come back and actually get back to where they were,” Snead said. “He’s still a young football player. … If you did take a step back this year, in terms of stats, I do think you can see players who do come back and get to a higher level than they were in their down years.”

The Rams can free up more than $4 million in cap space by trading Gurley this offseason, but finding a trade partner is easier said than done with a running back making $14.38 million per year entering his sixth NFL season.

Cutting him isn’t a financially practical move, either, which means Gurley will probably be back in 2020. Snead wouldn’t say whether Gurley or any other players are on the trade block, but given the front office’s aggressiveness in recent years, no deals should surprise fans or media members in Los Angeles.

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Les Snead explains why Rams being in cap trouble is a ‘false perception’

Les Snead doesn’t believe the Rams are in cap trouble for a couple of reasons.

The salary cap makes building a truly dominant roster difficult. The best players get paid accordingly, and with limited spending money, keeping everyone is near-impossible. The Rams are loaded with talent and have paid most of their top players, but as a result, their cap space is limited.

They’re projected to have the ninth-lowest cap space in 2020, and that’s without giving Jalen Ramsey an extension. That’s with Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. both hitting free agency. And that’s with Cooper Kupp only counting $1.2 million against the cap next season.

It’s going to be tough for the Rams to keep all of those players, as well as others such as John Johnson, Gerald Everett and Robert Woods, but they’re not in cap trouble.

At least, not according to general manager Les Snead. He says that’s a false narrative, one that doesn’t actually reflect the Rams’ financial situation.

“I do call it probably a false perception,” Snead told reporters this week, via ESPN. “Ultimately, I can see why that would be a perception, but maybe there’s an element of staying a little too shallow.”

There are always methods for manipulating the cap. Players can have their contracts restructured, others can be cut or traded, and the salary cap rises every year. Those are factors that can help the Rams, as well as a new CBA that’s coming this year.

“From a salary-cap standpoint, and I assume the cap does go up, there’s a new collective bargaining agreement that’s coming that’s another variable that we don’t know about,” Snead said. “We’ve shown in the past that when you have commodities that you might move on with via trade to collect draft capital that maybe the perception says you don’t have and to clear cap space.”

Paying Ramsey is one of the next dominos to fall, considering he’s only under contract through next season. After that, he’ll become a free agent, and it’s safe to assume he’d be unwilling to play on the franchise tag in 2021.

Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks would seem to be trade candidates, given their lack of production for the price the Rams are paying, but finding someone to take on their contracts will be difficult. Restructuring Goff’s contract can free up $16.8 million, which can help create space for Ramsey’s eventual deal.

There are countless ways to find spending money, all of which the Rams will likely explore this offseason.

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Michael Brockers gets good news on injured ankle heading into free agency

Michael Brockers only has a sprained ankle and won’t need surgery.

Michael Brockers very quietly had a good season for the Rams in 2019. He had a career-high 63 tackles, nine QB hits (second-most in career), three tackles for loss and three sacks, helping the run defense improve dramatically over the 2018 season.

His campaign ended on a sour note, though, when he was carted off the field in the second half of Sunday’s game against the Cardinals with an ankle injury. He couldn’t put any pressure on his left leg and was in obvious pain, which isn’t a sight any Rams fan wanted to see in the season finale.

Fortunately, the Rams shared some good news on the injury Tuesday after getting the results of his MRI. Brockers has a high ankle sprain and will not need surgery, which is a huge plus with him entering free agency this offseason.

Brockers is one of the longest-tenured players in Los Angeles and a fan favorite. The Rams don’t have a surefire replacement at defensive end for him if he leaves, so they’d probably like to bring him back in 2020. With limited cap space and other players still to pay, the Rams may not be able to afford the veteran defensive lineman.

Brockers just turned 29 in December so he still has plenty of good football left in him.

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Sean McVay pleased with how Rams’ OL played despite adversity

The Rams underwent countless changes on the offensive line but still allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL.

There was no lack of questions and concerns surrounding the Rams’ offensive line entering this season. Brian Allen and Joseph Noteboom both stepped in as first-year starters, but they struggled out of the gate.

Eventually, both would be placed on IR with season-ending injuries, which created even more problems up front for the Rams. Austin Corbett was acquired, Austin Blythe moved to center, David Edwards became a starter at guard and Bobby Evans replaced an injured Rob Havenstein.

Yet, despite all that adversity and change, the Rams still allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL this season. Yes, you read that correctly: the fewest.

That doesn’t mean the offensive line was one of the best in the league; it ranked 22nd in pass block win rate and created few holes for Todd Gurley and the running backs. All things considered, though, Los Angeles made the best of what it had on the O-line and Sean McVay is pleased with how the unit played.

“Well, I think the players continued to play. I thought the coaches did a great job – a lot of adjusting and adapting on the fly from Coach (Aaron) Kromer, Zak Kromer, Andy Dickerson. I think Andrew Whitworth’s leadership, really impressed with Austin Blythe’s command when he took over at playing that center spot,” McVay said.

However, just as all the blame doesn’t fall on the offensive line, all the credit doesn’t go to the five big men up front, either.

“Anytime you just look at that number, sacks are always a reflection of the unit. I think exclusively, in a lot of instances, offensive linemen are not always accurately pegged for the responsibility of sacks,” he continued. “They are certainly very helpful, but I think the quarterback has a huge responsibility, the backs if they’re used in protection, and then the other eligibles separating in the timing and rhythm. In some instances, those guys are even asked to protect. We’ve got receivers that are willing to protect, obviously the tight ends are used. I think it’s a great reflection of the entire unit and their ability to work through some adjusting, some adapting and then ultimately it’s about the players’ execution.”

Whitworth and Blythe are both free agents, and there’s no guarantee either Allen or Noteboom will be starters. Edwards and Evans are both candidates to start, as is Corbett. Havenstein should get his job back at right tackle, but that’s not a certainty either.

In other words, the Rams have a lot to figure out with their offensive line, but the potential for success is there.

2020 NFL mock draft: Rams address the trenches in 3-round projection

The Rams add two big bodies in this three-round mock draft.

After acquiring Jalen Ramsey in a midseason trade, the Los Angeles Rams have left themselves without a first-round pick in 2020 and 2021. As a result, they’ll have to wait until No. 52 overall to make their first selection in the upcoming draft.

Needing help on the offensive and defensive lines, the Rams will likely address both with their first two selections. Inside and outside linebacker will also be offseason needs if Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. leave in free agency.

In his latest three-round mock draft, however, Luke Easterling of Draft Wire looked to the trenches and gave the Rams two big bodies up front. In the second round, he has them taking Marlon Davidson out of Auburn.

He’s a defensive end who could step in for Michael Brockers, if he departs in free agency. This season, Davidson has 6.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss, stepping up in a big way for the Tigers. Brockers is a stout run defender, but he doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher. Davidson could change that philosophy for the Rams’ defensive end spot.

In the third round, Easterling mocked offensive tackle Scott Frantz out of Kansas State. He’s played left tackle for the Wildcats the last couple years and played at a relatively high level.

With Andrew Whitworth’s contract expiring and his future in doubt, the Rams need help on the offensive line, specifically at left tackle. Frantz would add some competition at that spot with Joseph Noteboom, David Edwards and Bobby Evans also vying for the job.

This would be a solid haul for the Rams, adding two potential starters despite not having a first-round pick.

Les Snead says Todd Gurley wasn’t the same RB as usual in 2019

Todd Gurley wasn’t nearly as effective as he once was and Les Snead took notice.

Todd Gurley’s usage and overall lack of production this season was a talking point throughout the year. It wasn’t until Week 11 that he got at least 20 touches in a game, he never finished with more than 100 rushing yards in a single start and he averaged 3.8 yards per carry – the second-lowest of his career.

The Rams made it clear before the season began that he would probably have his workload limited in an attempt to “keep him fresher,” as general manager Les Snead put it, but he was still expected to put up more than the 1,064 total yards that he did.

On Tuesday, Snead was asked whether Gurley was the same running back he was in recent seasons. His answer was telling of how the year went for the former All-Pro back.

Gurley wasn’t nearly as efficient as he was in 2017 and 2018 when he was a first-team All-Pro. In those seasons, he averaged 6.1 and 5.8 yards per touch, respectively. This year, that number was down to 4.2, the second-worst of his career.

The Rams could’ve used the old version of Gurley this year as they were one of the worst running teams in the league. Their 3.7 yards per carry ranked 28th in the NFL. Gurley helped take pressure off of Jared Goff the last two years, but he couldn’t do that this season with poor blocking up front and struggles as a receiver.

Los Angeles can trade him this offseason to free up $4.65 million in cap space, but cutting him will cost them $8.4 million more than keeping him. So they have a big decision to make with their costly running back who the GM admitted wasn’t the same player this season.

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Rams have decision to make with Nickell Robey-Coleman, but it’s an easy one

Nickell Robey-Coleman has a team option in 2020, which should be a no-brainer for the Rams.

There will be a lot of difficult decisions made by the Los Angeles Rams this season. Deciding whether to keep Nickell Robey-Coleman on the roster in 2020 will not be one of them.

Robey-Coleman has a team option written in his contract for next season, which the Rams can either choose to pick up or decline. If they decline it, he’ll become a free agent in March. If it’s picked up, he’ll be on the books with a cap hit of $4.5 million in 2020.

It doesn’t take much to realize this decision should be a no-brainer for the Rams front office.

Robey-Coleman was one of the Rams’ steadiest cornerbacks this season and has been since coming to Los Angeles in 2017. Despite being undersized, he’s among the best slot corners in the NFL.

Keeping him around for $4.5 million would be a wise move for the Rams, given how valuable he is to the defense at such a low price. He signed his current contract before the 2018 season, locking him in for three years for a total of $16.75 million.

He finished this season with seven passes defensed, 35 tackles, two forced fumbles and three tackles for loss. Robey-Coleman was only responsible for one touchdown and allowed receptions on 64.1% of the passes thrown his way (41-for-64).

Assuming he does return in 2020, he’ll be part of a cornerback group that should also feature Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill, Darious Williams and David Long Jr.

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