Los Angeles Rams: 3 players that have to perform in 2020

1. Jalen Ramsey

The pressure on Jalen Ramsey in 2020 does not have so much to do with his own career or legacy but instead has to do with the Los Angeles Rams’ front office and vindicating the team trading for him during the 2019 season.

The Los Angeles Rams traded two first-round picks for Ramsey during the regular season, hoping that he could be the difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball. This was a huge risk for the Rams as the team is already saddled with four massive contracts and Ramsey is a free agent after the 2020 season.

The Rams need Ramsey to not just be the All-Pro corner that he has been in the past but need him to compete for the title of best cornerback in the league. If Ramsey falls any short of that and the defense struggles around him then the Rams are going to look foolish.

If the team is able to re-sign him then that would lessen the blow as they would get more than a year and a half out of Ramsey. However, if the Rams traded two first-round picks for a year and a half of Ramsey and he falls short of expectations then it will be a major knock on Les Snead’s decision making.

There is an impact for Ramsey as well as this is a contract year and he is coming off a season where he was good but not as good as he has been in the past. If Ramsey returns to the best version of himself then he will undoubtedly get the big contract he is looking for.

Oh, and it also hurts that the Rams traded away Marcus Peters, who was undoubtedly the best cornerback in the league in 2020.