An optimist's guide to the 2024 Los Angeles Rams

After winning just five games in 2022, the Los Angeles Rams bounced back in a big way in 2023 and returned to the playoffs with another 10-win season for head coach Sean McVay.

It was a big step forward, and there are reasons to believe the 2024 version of the team could be even better. Let's talk about some of the reasons why.

The secondary should be a lot better

The one big weakness the Rams had in 2023 was a secondary that was not always stout against the pass, had no impact players at corner and had never really replaced Jalen Ramsey. The result was a team that finished 20th against the pass and was carved up by former Rams quarterback Jared Goff in the playoffs.

That could be changing this season, as the Rams dumped significant resources into upgrading their defensive backfield.

They added cornerbacks Darious Williams and Tre'Davious White, as well as versatile safety Kamren Curl. White is the big wild card here because, if he is healthy, he has the ability to be one of the best cornerbacks in the league. But his health has been a big issue in recent seasons. 

Puka Nacua could be even better 

Nacua was one of the biggest surprises of the 2023 season, going from an afterthought of a fifth-round pick to one of the league's top wide receivers. He caught 105 passes for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns and became quarterback Matthew Stafford's go-to player in the passing game. 

It was a wildly successful rookie season. The good news for the Rams? With a full year in the NFL under his belt and coming back in as a seasoned veteran who fully knows what he is doing, he has a chance to be even better and take another major leap forward as an impact player. 

The sky is the limit for him and his potential. 

Matthew Stafford is still fantastic

The quarterback situation is typically the driving force behind whether or not a team should be optimistic for its season.

Fortunately for the Rams, they still have an outstanding quarterback in Stafford.

He might be getting closer to the end of his career (he turned 36 in February), but he showed in 2023 that, as long as he is healthy, he can still play at an elite level. He finished eighth in the NFL MVP voting, throwing for 3,965 yards, 24 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions while leading the Rams to a 9-6 record in his 15 starts. 

As long as he is healthy and in the lineup, the Rams are going to have a chance every single week.