2024 offseason primer: Rams striving to keep up in competitive NFC West

Despite having one of the younger rosters in the NFL with 14 rookies making the initial 53-man roster, the Los Angeles Rams (10-7) had a surprising bounce-back season and snuck into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed in the NFC.

With the San Francisco 49ers (12-5 in 2023) as the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl in 2024, and the Seattle Seahawks (9-8) not far off from being a playoff contender in their own right, the Rams are under pressure to make the necessary tweaks to contend again in 2024.

L.A. has a potent enough offense to contend with the top teams in the NFL. Fortunately for the Rams, they have a pair of dynamic young playmakers in running back Kyren Williams and receiver Puka Nacua to work alongside star receiver Cooper Kupp and quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Defensively, the team needs work. L.A. ranked 20th in total defense and 19th in scoring defense in 2023, and shoring up a few positions on that side of the ball will help the Rams keep pace in their strong division.

Here’s what you need to know about L.A.’s offseason:

PROJECTED 2024 CAP SPACE:  $35.3M (12th-most in NFL)

FREE AGENTS | Offense: QB Carson Wentz; RB Ronnie Rivers; WRs Demarcus Robinson, Austin Trammell; TE Brycen Hopkins; OT Alaric Jackson; OGs Kevin Dotson, Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

Defense: DE Jonah Williams; DTs Larrell Murchison, Mike Hoecht; LBs Troy Reeder, Christian Rozeboom; CBs Ahkello Witherspoon, Duke Shelley; Safeties John Johnson, Jordan Fuller

Outlook: Jackson and Dotson were L.A.’s starting left tackle and right guard, respectively, so naturally, the team will likely do its best to retain both. The duo combined for 1,965 offensive snaps, allowing just five sacks and 55 pressures. Witherspoon, Johnson and Fuller were the Rams' top three defensive backs in coverage, combining for a completion percentage of 52.5. It wouldn’t be surprising to see one or two of them back, but likely not all three.

2024 DRAFT PICKS: Round 1 (No. 19 overall) | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 5 | Round 5 | Round 5 (via Pittsburgh) | Round 6 (via Denver) | Round 6 | Round 6 | Round 6

TOP DRAFT NEEDS (in order): Edge-rusher, S, CB, DT, QB — After finishing 24th in sacks, edge-rusher is at the top of the Rams’ offseason priority list. UCLA’s Laiatu Latu is a perfect fit as an off-ball linebacker who can set the edge. If the team wants a pass-rusher who can play with his hand in the dirt, Florida State’s Jared Verse perhaps makes a little more sense. 

Safety is arguably L.A.’s biggest need, but there’s not really a player at that position who warrants being drafted as high as 19th overall. But if the Rams want to reach for one, Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin is viewed as the top safety in the 2024 class. Cornerback makes more sense at this spot, and Clemson's Nate Wiggins, Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry and Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw are intriguing possibilities.

DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State; Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA, Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State; Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota; Javon Bullard, S, Georgia; Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami; Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama; Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama; Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri; Jer’Zahn Newton, DT, Illinois; Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan; T'Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas; J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan; Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington; Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

THREE 2024 STORYLINES TO WATCH:

• Does L.A. draft Stafford’s eventual successor?
• How significant will the loss of passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson be?
• Will the Rams use all of their 10 draft picks or package some to move up in the draft?