The Los Angeles Rams are coming off of a 2023 season where they surprised a lot of people. With a young roster and a lot of unproven players the Rams found a way to win 10 games even after a slow start. The team went 7-1 in their final eight games and nearly knocked off the Detroit Lions in their Wild Card matchup in the playoffs.
The team is looking to keep improving and if their first two weeks of training camp at Loyola Marymount University is any indication they look like a team ready to compete for the NFC West Division. The Rams play their first preseason game this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood at 1:25 p.m.
Here are a few takeaways from their training camp after the first two weeks.
They have a chance to be one of the most complete offenses in the NFL
If this offense can stay healthy we may be looking at one of the best offenses in the league. With the emergence of wide receiver Puka Nacua and running back Karen Williams last season the Rams offense surprised a lot of people. Those guys have had great camps, and it looks like last year was just a preview of what’s to come.
A small issue has occurred when it comes to Nacua who is now week-to-week after suffering an injury last Sunday during the team’s joint practice with the Chargers in El Segundo.
The offensive leaders, quarterback Matthew Stafford (who has a brand new contract) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp look like they have more things to prove in 2024. This is the first camp in a few years Kupp feels as close to 100%.
Demarcus Robinson is a player to keep an eye on as he had a full offseason with the team and has performed well in camp. After a solid season last year, Robinson will be asked to do more this season.
Young players continue to grow throughout camp with wide receiver Tutu Atwell, tight ends Davis Allen and newcomer Colby Parkinson, rookie wide receiver Jordan Whittington and rookie running back Blake Corus have also had big moments during training camp. Veteran tight end Tyler Higbee will eventually return to the roster.
If the offensive line can play well and the skill positions can stay healthy, the team will be fun to watch in 2024.
No Donald, No Problem?
When most teams lose a future Hall of Fame player like defensive tackle Aaron Donald that position group takes a step back. It doesn’t look like that’s going to be the case for the Rams.
With the return of last year’s rookie Kobie Turner, who finished last season with a team-leading nine sacks, the Rams defensive line should be able to continue to produce strong performance. Also, with the addition of the defensive linemen Braden Fiske and DE Jared Verse, who were drafted in 2024 from the University of Florida State, the line may be even better than last year’s group.
Verse, the team’s first round pick has looked like he will be a very good NFL player and Fiske who has looked dominant at times. McVay has consistently noted that he noticed Fiske on the field. “I really felt Braden Fiske today. He showed up in a big way,” McVay said last week about Fiske. “[I] think we had some things in the alignment that fit his skillset to allow him to really thrive and he took advantage of it.”
Veteran defensive lineman Bobby Brown has made his presence felt throughout camp as well. With pass rushing abilities of linebacker Byron Young and the play upfront he Rams will continue to get after the opposing quarterbacks in 2024.
Improved secondary play may make this defense a top-15 unit
The Rams secondary could take a big step forward in 2024 and a big reason for that will be because of their new safety duo. Kam Curl and Quentin Lake will be the duo that can truly elevate this group.
Curl has been one of the more impressive players on the backend of the defense. Curl is a true playmaker at the strong safety position and his playmaking ability has stood out in camp. True playmaking in the backend is what this defense missed last season.
Lake will be asked to play all over the field for this defense. In his third camp with the Rams, Lake played as the deep safety, in the box, in the slot and even covered out wide for Los Angeles. He will be an important piece to this defense.
Another third-year player will try to bolster the secondary is cornerback Cobie Durant. Durant had his struggles last year and is looking to have a bounce back year. He has played well in camp and it seems the additions of Darious Williams and Tre’Davious White has pushed him. Durant has attacked the ball and has challenged the Rams wide receivers.
Speaking of Williams and White, the two veteran cornerbacks have been true leaders of the secondary in training camp.. Most of the guys in the secondary have leaned towards these two for guidance. They have also made plays and held their own throughout camp.
If the secondary can carry over their training camp play to the preseason games and the regular season, combined with the guys upfront dominating this could be one of the better defenses in the NFC.
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