Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
LA Rams Begin Life Without Star Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald. It Might Not Be Fun.
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 9 months ago on
August 29, 2024

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, left, is adjusting to life without defensive tackle Aaron Donald. (AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

LOS ANGELES — Life after Aaron Donald could be difficult for the Rams, whose entire defense was built on the bedrock of No. 99’s phenomenal skills throughout coach Sean McVay’s first seven seasons. Los Angeles will be much more ordinary without the retired defensive tackle, who will be replaced with a group of youngsters possessing a fraction of his talent under a first-time defensive coordinator, Chris Shula.

But McVay usually finds a way to be competitive, just as he did in leading Los Angeles to a surprise playoff berth last season. The Rams inevitably will be worse on the defensive line, but they should be stronger in the two weakest areas of last season’s roster: the offensive line and the secondary. QB Matthew Stafford is back for a fourth season, with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua returning alongside a one-two backfield punch of Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum. With good health, McVay’s Rams should be in the running for another playoff spot. Without Donald, this roster doesn’t look special enough to contend for a championship.

New Faces and Key Losses

NEW FACES: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, CB Tre’Davious White, CB Darious Williams, S Kamren Curl, LB Jared Verse, DE Braden Fiske, K Joshua Karty.

KEY LOSSES: Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, DT Aaron Donald, LB Ernest Jones, QB Carson Wentz, S Jordan Fuller, CB Ahkello Witherspoon.

Strengths and Weaknesses

STRENGTHS: Stafford remains one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, and the skill positions around him look solid, with Kupp and Nacua in particular possessing game-breaking talent when healthy. The Rams shored up the middle of their O-line by signing Jonah Jackson and retaining Kevin Dotson while moving standout Steve Avila to center. A secondary that got carved up by top quarterbacks last season will be much harder to beat with the additions of Tre’Davious White, Kamren Curl and Darious Williams alongside John Johnson.

WEAKNESSES: Donald leaves an enormous hole in every aspect of the Rams’ roster. Rookie nose tackle Kobie Turner will find out how much harder it is to shine without AD, while rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske will have huge responsibilities early on. Linebacker and signal-caller Ernest Jones was a logical choice to assume some of Donald’s veteran leadership, but the Rams’ leading tackler was unceremoniously traded to Tennessee for a late-round pick swap in late August after failing to get a contract extension. Stopgap veterans and youngsters will fill Jones’ key spot, but the Rams seem fine with that. The kicking game was horrific last season, and the Rams have chosen to rely on Karty, a rookie.

Camp Developments and Fantasy Outlook

CAMP DEVELOPMENT: Not much. Left tackle Alaric Jackson received a two-game suspension, likely forcing Joe Noteboom to fill in for the first two weeks. Undrafted rookie Omar Speights played his way onto the roster. But the Rams are largely the same team McVay had in offseason workouts.

FANTASY PLAYER TO WATCH: Nacua carries huge risks along with his potentially huge rewards to fantasy players. He took plenty of vicious hits during his record-setting rookie season, and he injured his knee again in early August, missing three weeks of practice. Nacua’s physical style can lead to jaw-dropping achievements, but unless he learns to take fewer big hits, injuries will always be a major threat to his long-term production.

BetMGM Sportsbook: Win Super Bowl: 30-1. Over/under wins: 8 1/2.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Signs Proclamation Banning Travel From 12 Countries, CBS News Reports

DON'T MISS

Sunnyvale Pitmaster Smokes Fresno BBQ Competition for Golden Ticket to World Championships

DON'T MISS

What We Know About the Colorado Attack on Israeli Hostage Demonstrators

DON'T MISS

Visalia Motorists Take Note: Traffic Shift Coming to Riggin Avenue

DON'T MISS

Really, Secretary Rubio? I’m Lying About the Kids Dying Under Trump?

DON'T MISS

Judge Denies Release in Caleb Quick Killing. Defense Cites Alleged Assaults by Victim

DON'T MISS

Nebraska Is the Latest State to Ban Transgender Students From Girls’ Sports

DON'T MISS

US Vetoes UN Security Council Resolution Demanding an Immediate Gaza Ceasefire

DON'T MISS

International Basketball Comes to Fresno: Armenia vs. Costa Rica

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: A New Research Hub in Southeast Fresno?

UP NEXT

Sunnyvale Pitmaster Smokes Fresno BBQ Competition for Golden Ticket to World Championships

UP NEXT

What We Know About the Colorado Attack on Israeli Hostage Demonstrators

UP NEXT

Really, Secretary Rubio? I’m Lying About the Kids Dying Under Trump?

UP NEXT

Judge Denies Release in Caleb Quick Killing. Defense Cites Alleged Assaults by Victim

UP NEXT

Nebraska Is the Latest State to Ban Transgender Students From Girls’ Sports

UP NEXT

US Vetoes UN Security Council Resolution Demanding an Immediate Gaza Ceasefire

UP NEXT

International Basketball Comes to Fresno: Armenia vs. Costa Rica

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: A New Research Hub in Southeast Fresno?

UP NEXT

Fresno’s Southeast Plan Has a $2.2B Price Tag for Phase 1. Can the City Afford It?

UP NEXT

Trump: Putin Said Russia Would Respond to Ukraine Drone Attacks

Visalia Motorists Take Note: Traffic Shift Coming to Riggin Avenue

11 hours ago

Really, Secretary Rubio? I’m Lying About the Kids Dying Under Trump?

12 hours ago

Judge Denies Release in Caleb Quick Killing. Defense Cites Alleged Assaults by Victim

12 hours ago

Nebraska Is the Latest State to Ban Transgender Students From Girls’ Sports

12 hours ago

US Vetoes UN Security Council Resolution Demanding an Immediate Gaza Ceasefire

12 hours ago

International Basketball Comes to Fresno: Armenia vs. Costa Rica

14 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: A New Research Hub in Southeast Fresno?

15 hours ago

Fresno’s Southeast Plan Has a $2.2B Price Tag for Phase 1. Can the City Afford It?

16 hours ago

Trump: Putin Said Russia Would Respond to Ukraine Drone Attacks

16 hours ago

It’s Expensive to Become a Teacher in California. This Bill Would Pay Those Who Try

16 hours ago

Trump Signs Proclamation Banning Travel From 12 Countries, CBS News Reports

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation banning travel from certain countries, CBS News reported on Wednesday, citing administrati...

9 hours ago

9 hours ago

Trump Signs Proclamation Banning Travel From 12 Countries, CBS News Reports

10 hours ago

Sunnyvale Pitmaster Smokes Fresno BBQ Competition for Golden Ticket to World Championships

11 hours ago

What We Know About the Colorado Attack on Israeli Hostage Demonstrators

11 hours ago

Visalia Motorists Take Note: Traffic Shift Coming to Riggin Avenue

12 hours ago

Really, Secretary Rubio? I’m Lying About the Kids Dying Under Trump?

Fresno clovis caleb quick
12 hours ago

Judge Denies Release in Caleb Quick Killing. Defense Cites Alleged Assaults by Victim

12 hours ago

Nebraska Is the Latest State to Ban Transgender Students From Girls’ Sports

12 hours ago

US Vetoes UN Security Council Resolution Demanding an Immediate Gaza Ceasefire

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend