NFL power rankings: Training camp edition
By Brad Weiss
Los Angeles Rams
, NFC West
When the Los Angeles Rams named Sean McVay their new head coach after last season, they made him the youngest head coach (30) in modern NFL history. He has a tall task ahead of him in his first year as a head coach, but comes from very good football stock. His grandfather, John McVay, was a general manager for the San Francisco 49ers when they won five Super Bowl rings.
With the Rams, McVay won’t have the kind of talent his grandfather did in San Francisco, but they do have some nice pieces in place. The biggest question mark is going to be at quarterback, however, as Jared Goff will look to improve on a sub-par rookie season. Goff went 0-7 as the team’s starter, but with a years experience under his belt, and the starting job from Day One, he will likely fair better in year two.
Los Angeles brought in Robert Woods to help out in the passing game, and he will join Tavon Austin at the top of the depth chart at the wide receiver position. Todd Gurley burst onto the scene during his rookie year in 2015, but the lack of a passing game, and trouble up front on the offensive line, made him a huge target last season. Expect him to bounce back in 2017, as there are more weapons around him in the offense now.
This season is going to hinge on whether or not Goff takes the next step in his development, and it could be a short run for him in Los Angeles if he doesn’t. The 2018 NFL Draft class is loaded with quarterbacking talent, and with another bad season, the Rams should be drafting early. If I had to guess, I would think Goff does enough this year for the team to stick with him, but I do not expect the Rams to be close to competitive in his first full season under center.