Rams 2024 Offseason: 5 Biggest Needs After Breakout Campaign

After a surprising 2023 season, how do the Los Angeles Rams keep their newfound momentum going?

The Los Angeles Rams were one of the NFL's pleasant surprises this season, overcoming the odds to win 10 games and make a return to the playoffs for the first time since their Super Bowl run two years prior.

Now, the Rams face the difficult task of building on their breakout season and ascending to true contenders once more. The future looks bright with an outstanding rookie class entering its second season and L.A. having a first-round pick for the first time since 2016, but the Rams still have to do their part to make sure that bright future isn't a mirage.

With that said, here are five of the Rams' biggest needs for the 2024 offseason.

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. Edge Rusher

The Rams hit a pair of home runs with their first two defensive picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, adding both Kobie Turner and Byron Young to support future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Aaron Donald. Naturally, one would assume that the Rams would be set in terms of pass-rushers, but for a position group where there's no such thing as too much depth, it would help to add to it.

Of the previously mentioned trio, only Young plays on the edge. Michael Hoecht is a quality edge rusher as well, but as a whole, the Rams could certainly use another option at the position. Fortunately for them, there should be plenty of good edge rushers available in the draft, even when they pick at No. 19 overall.

2. Secondary Help

Former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, now the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, did a good job of maximizing what he could with a very young defense. However, it's clear to see that the unit needs work, especially against the pass.

According to Pro Football Reference, the Rams ranked 20th or worse in pretty much every major passing defense stat. It also doesn't help that old friend Jared Goff torched them in their playoff loss to the Detroit Lions, as he completed 22 of 27 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown.

With key secondary players like Ahkello Witherspoon and Jordan Fuller about to hit free agency, an already-weak position group will need some reinforcement. L.A. has a decent amount of cap space and draft capital to work with, so they have options to address this need.

3. Receiver/Tight End

Puka Nacua was an incredible find for the Rams in the fifth round of last year's draft, as he only broke the rookie records for receptions and receiving yards. Former Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp also looked quite solid after his return from injury, even if he wasn't quite as dominant as before.

Even with those two elite options (assuming Kupp remains healthy), the Rams could use another strong pass-catching option. Their depth receivers were relatively pedestrian, and the fact that DeMarcus Robinson is about to hit free agency only exacerbates that fact. Additionally, L.A. would appreciate another tight end with Tyler Higbee suffering a torn ACL in the Lions game.

4. Matthew Stafford Heir (?)

There's only one man who's truly undefeated in the NFL, and his name is Father Time. As great as Matthew Stafford is, and he certainly had a great bounce-back season in 2023, the fact is that he just turned 36. Unless your quarterback is named Tom Brady, they likely won't remain elite for much longer.

Maybe a Stafford heir isn't a pressing need this offseason, but with him most likely being in the twilight of his career, the Rams should at least start thinking of a succession plan.

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5. Kicker

Throughout the 2023 season, kicking issues constantly plagued the Rams. Whether it was Brett Maher or Lucas Havrisik lining up, the only consistent part of L.A.'s kicking game was its inconsistency. For reference, the Rams finished 30th in field goal percentage (74.4) and 31st in extra point percentage (86.5).

Kicker is low down on the Rams' list of needs, as it tends to be for most teams, but it is something they simply must improve this offseason.