Los Angeles Rams Roster 2019 Rams Roster

Top 3 Rams Roster Questions of 2019-2020

Can Clay Matthews still provide any value?

Clay Matthews brings another veteran presence to the Rams defense and will get the start at the outside linebacker spot. While he’s not the same player he was a few years ago, Matthews will return to his native home of LA and will play a big role for a team with high expectations. With only 3.5 sacks last year, Los Angeles will surely look for more after handing him a two year, $9.25 million dollar contract.

Matthews will join a linebacker group that already consists of Dante Fowler, Samson Ebukam, and Cory Littleton. While mainly an edge rusher or outside linebacker with Green Bay, there’s a chance the Rams could ultimately place him in the middle linebacker spot. With Mark Barron gone, having Matthews in the middle of the group could make him the defensive quarterback with all his experience. While he might not have the same speed or physicality, Matthews will be a great presence in the LA defense and will solidify their linebacking group. 

Does Eric Weddle upgrade the secondary?

Perhaps the most notable addition for the Rams this offseason was the signing of veteran Eric Weddle. A longtime Charger, Weddle played out his last couple of years with Baltimore before ultimately inking a $10.5 million dollar contract for 2 years. Weddle’s got big shoes to fill in LaMarcus Joyner’s departure to Oakland but he’s surely the man to do it. Coming off his third consecutive Pro Bowl year, his streak of an interception per year finally ended in 2018. He’ll certainly look to start a new streak as he starts next to John Johnson III this year. 

At the age of 34, Weddle should continue to be a major piece in the LA secondary that gave up a bunch of TDs in 2018. In the NFL, especially at the safety position, they’ll count on Weddle still having the legs to cover and run down receivers. While he might not have the same skillset as he had in the past, he’s another solid veteran addition to the secondary and will make for great help behind the Rams’ risk-seeking cornerbacks. Weddle and Jonson will make for a great back line behind Aquib Talib and Marcus Peters and should erase any mistakes the duo makes if they should gamble for interceptions. 

What's Todd Gurley's situation?

Like all teams, the Rams are likely worried about their top player in Todd Gurley who didn’t look right at the end of last year. His injury prolonged into the playoffs and training camps this year. For the 2018 Rams, Gurley represented their primary weapon of attack. He amassed 1,251 rushing yards and 17 TDs in a monster season. However, he wasn’t very efficient in the latter part of the season as he only accrued 10 attempts in the Super Bowl after missing the past two months. 

If Gurley can’t replicate his production from last year’s regular season, they’ll have to depend on Jared Goff having an MVP type season. From the latest reports, Gurley will likely be absent for most of training camp and will see minimal action during preseason games. Even if Gurley is the same player, the Rams will almost certainly hold back him touches in an attempt to get a productive season out of their All Pro running back for another deep playoff run. However, if the knee issues do linger, Gurley might not be able to even come close to his 2018 production.