Los Angeles Rams 2024 Season Preview
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Harry How/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams are coming off of a huge bounce back season that saw them go 10-7 and make the playoffs. Finding diamonds in the rough like Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams was key to their seamless retool. They will now look to build off of last season to get back to the promised land that they reached a few years ago.
One glaring issue is the retirement of Rams’ legend, DT Aaron Donald. He was not only a generationally productive player, but he freed up the other players on the defense to make plays as well. Luckily, this was the only big time loss for the team. They also said goodbye to contributors such as SAF Jordan Fuller, C Coleman Shelton, and DL Jonah Williams. In a more surprising move, they shipped defensive captain and stud LB Ernest Jones to the Titans. The only explanation is that they are very high on the other linebackers they have in the room.
In free agency, they added tons of difference makers. IOL Jonah Jackson, TE Colby Parkinson, CB Darious Williams, and SAF Kamren Curl all signed multi-year deals. They were also able to get CB Tre White on a one-year deal.
In the draft, they really looked to add to that defense that may be left looking vulnerable without a guy like Aaron Donald. With their first two picks, they took a couple of Florida State DLs in Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. Other solid picks included Miami SAF Kamren Kinchens and Washington St EDGE Brennan Jackson.
The Rams, just like most of the last decade, will be in a competitive division. Their schedule will not be easy.
They start the season in the same building that their 2023 season ended, Ford Field to take on the Lions. They then travel to the desert to battle the Cardinals in a game that could have more playoff implications than currently assumed. The Rams play host to the 49ers and then travel to face the Bears to finish the opening month of the season. They start the season 2-2.
Los Angeles welcomes the Packers to town before an early Week 6 bye. They then host the Raiders, followed by the Vikings in a Week 8 Thursday Night Football matchup. The Rams go 2-1 in October.
They travel to play the Seahawks to open November, then host the Dolphins on Monday Night Football, have a road date against the Patriots, and then host the Eagles on Sunday Night Football. The Rams go 2-2 in November.
The cold months don’t get any easier for LA. They go to New Orleans, play host to the Bills, go to San Francisco for Thursday Night Football, play the Jets on the road, and finish the season at home against the Cardinals and Seahawks. The Rams go 3-3 in this final stretch.
I have the Rams finishing the season at 9-8, which would be pretty underwhelming considering last season’s record and their offseason additions. However, the loss of Aaron Donald combined with a tougher schedule are too much to overcome this year.
2023 Record: 10-7
2024 Prediction: 9-8
