Los Angeles Rams: Three key moves that need to be made this offseason

While there is still one more game left to play this season, the Los Angeles Rams season is effectively over and we must turn our focus to the offseason.

The Los Angeles Rams looked like a perennial playoff contender just last year as they went on a magical run to the Super Bowl only to lose in a defensive battle to the Patriots 13-3.

This year, however, has not worked out for them as teams have caught on to Sean McVay’s 11 personnel and it led to them having an 8-7 record and missing the playoffs for the first time in McVay’s coaching tenure.

The real question is what the Rams will look like in the 2020 season as they move into their new stadium. They have some real question marks at certain position spots and there are three key moves they need to make in the offseason.

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1. Trade Brandin Cooks

Brandin Cooks has been a phenomenal receiver ever since he has entered the league as he has amassed four 1000+ yard receiving seasons with the Rams, Saints and Patriots respectively.

However, lately, he has been phased out of the offense for the most part as the Rams have gone to a two-tight end personnel to change things up a bit, resulting in him not getting as many targets as his receiving partners Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods.

Additionally, he suffered two concussions this year, resulting in multiple missed games and it has caused quite a concern for the longevity of his career.

Cooks is being paid $15 million+ next season and that is quite a bit for a player who is a long ball threat primarily and is getting fewer looks than his receiving partners. Some teams who could use a deep threat receiver are the Eagles, Steelers, Jets, and Chicago.

2. Trade or Release Todd Gurley

This will probably be an unpopular move, but the Los Angeles Rams should move on from Todd Gurley. Gurley seemed very limited early in the season, only for the Rams to start using him more when they were in danger of missing the playoffs.

Gurley has been a remarkable player for the majority of his career. However, his chronic knee problems are a big question mark as his career continues while the Rams seem unsure if they can rely on him at certain times during games.

Gurley signed a big contract for four years and $57 million in 2018 and the first year of it is set to start in 2020. Given that they are paying him that much, Gurley needs to play at a high level and give the Rams a return on their investment. At the same time, the Rams need to manage his reps and ensure he stays fresh.

However, if they both don’t see eye to eye on a plan for him, Gurley may need to be traded to another team or be released. The Rams, however, would be on the hook for a lot of dead money if they were to release him this year (more than $25 million).

3. Re-sign Dante Fowler and or Jalen Ramsey

The Los Angeles Rams need to find room to sign both Dante Fowler and or Jalen Ramsey given that they have enough space for both of them.

Fowler’s contract is set to expire after this season and has done a great job this season with 11.5 sacks and 74 combined tackles. Besides Aaron Donald, he is one of the only consistent pass rushers on the Rams team.

Also, if they have enough space, Ramsey should be re-signed given that he is a shutdown corner in his own right. Besides the occasional lapse here or there, Ramsey has done a good job for the most part in shutting down opposing teams’ number one receivers.

Jalen needs to keep this up next year as he will be in his contract year and given his reputation, the Rams will need to pay him if he keeps up his excellent play.

The Rams have been an innovative team offensively ever since Sean McVay came to them as their head coach in 2017. However, lengthy contracts given to offensive players who have not been living up to the expectations of their contracts are threatening to hurt the Rams in the offseason. This team is a team built to win now and needs these players to play better.

Otherwise, they may move on from them and find cheaper alternative options.