Each NFL team’s biggest reason to be excited in 2018

Los Angeles Rams – No resting on 2017 laurels

After going from 4-12 in 2016 during the final year of the Jeff Fisher era to 11-5 and a division title in Sean McVay’s first season as head coach, the Rams rested on no laurels this offseason. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib were added to the defense, and wide receiver Brandin Cooks was acquired from the Patriots in a trade to give quarterback Jared Goff another weapon.

The contract situation of defensive tackle Aaron Donald will hang over the Rams unless and until it’s resolved. But the signing of Suh may have been part of a broader contingency plan by the team, as protection in case of a Donald holdout that lingers into the regular season.

Winning the offseason by bringing in big names and keeping guys aboard with contract extensions (Cooks and Todd Gurley) inspires fans, and creates elevated expectations from the outside. How well all the new talent will mesh with their new teammates is a worthy question, and brings in possibility of a train wreck. But the Rams and their fans can be very excited about the new additions a team on the rise made this offseason. At this point, anyone who says otherwise and sees the potential for things to go off the rails is just a buzz kill.