5 players who Rams need to be great in 2020

The Rams have their eyes on winning the NFC West in 2020. To make that happen, Sean McVay needs big contributions from these five players. 

It wasn’t so long ago when the Rams were considered to be one of the elite teams in the NFL. Last year’s 9-7 record sent Los Angeles crashing down to Earth. The challenge for Sean McVay and his staff in 2020 is to get this team back into the playoffs.

The offense averaged a respectable total of 24.6 points per game a season ago, but the losses of Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks will make repeating that feat difficult. Tons of pressure will fall onto the shoulders of Jared Goff to prove that he’s a quarterback who can elevate the talent around him.

The defense will once again be anchored by Aaron Donald. He’s the most disruptive defender in the NFL, but he needs more help in 2020. In particular, he needs some other members of his front seven to step up and improve their pass rushing production. Progress on that front would do a lot to help the secondary live up to its full potential.

McVay has a lot of changes to manage this year, but that isn’t softening the high expectations for him in L.A. The Rams need big seasons out of these five guys to get back into the postseason.

5. Van Jefferson

The departure of Cooks leaves a hole in the Rams’ receiving corps. Spending a second-round pick on Jefferson makes it very clear that Los Angeles expects him to step in and play right away.

The former Florida wideout isn’t the most athletic receiver in the game, but his polished route running skills should endear him quickly to McVay. Look for him to line up primarily in the slot as a rookie. That’s a big production spot in the Rams’ offense. Jefferson needs to have a big rookie campaign to keep this offense moving.