By: Jake Rajala

The Los Angeles Rams pass rush was unusually lethal in 2021, as they ranked third in sacks (50), which stood behind the T.J. Watt-led Pittsburgh Steelers (55) & the Minnesota Vikings (51). Impressively the Rams and their ultimate QB hunter in Aaron Donald ranked second in sacks (53) in 2020, and fourth in sacks in 2019 (50).

So, how will the most tenacious human beings in LA perform in pursuing opposing signal-callers in 2022? I undoubtedly foresee the Rams being a Top-3 team in QB sacks in 2022. The Rams showcase the mythical AD, the electric Leonard Floyd (9.5 sacks in 2021 and 10.5 sacks in 2020), and A’Shawn Robinson.

Donald ousted 12.5 sacks, 25 QB hits, and absolutely stood out in the Super Bowl with a 90.1 pass rushing grade. The Rams DT has unleashed 11+ sacks in six of his prior seven seasons in the league. He’s also obtained first-team All-Pro honors in each of his past seven seasons. The Rams boldly made Donald the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history this off-season, too.

He will ask Floyd, who was signed as a free agent in the 2020 off-season, to continue wreaking havoc. Floyd registered personal-best stats in the following categories in 2020: sacks (10.5) and QB hits (19). He didn’t slow down chasing QBs in 2021 – where he unveiled 9.5 sacks and 18 QB hits. The 29-year-old will be a free agent in the 2025 off-season.

Justin Hollins, the man called on to replace Von Miller, is a prime breakout candidate for LA. He collected two sacks and 1 QB hit last season. Furthermore, he had a modest 69.8 grade by PFF. Hollins beat out Terrell Lewis for the starting OLB spot, as Lewis has ousted five sacks and 7 QB hits in his two-year career. The Rams cut ties with the D2 legend Chris Garrett. I would be shocked if another team didn’t claim the athletic freak and scrappy edge rusher.

The Rams are known for possessing a very gifted passing offense, but let’s not forget that they display a fire-breathing pass rush, too. It will be vital that the Rams can make life miserable for the mega-arm & bull-dozing QB Josh Allen in Week 1.

Allen may be the most popular MVP candidate heading into the 2022 season, but he wasn’t sinless against opponents with a violent pass rush a season ago. Last season – the Saints picked off Allen twice, the Colts intercepted the Bills QB1 twice, the Bucs snagged a pick against Allen, and Allen only threw 4 touchdowns to 1 int in his two games against the Phins. I foresee the Rams pressuring the Bills polarizing QB (who had 15 ints last season) into committing a couple of turnovers in their first battle of the 2022 season.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Tennessee Titans edge rusher Harold Landry unleashed personal-best figures in sacks (12), quarterback hits (22), combined tackles (75), and tackles for loss (14) a season ago. His efforts and growth in his fourth season led him to punch his first ticket to the Pro Bowl. The Titans awarded his 2021 performance by inking him to a five-year contract extension worth $87.5 million dollars (including $52.5 million guaranteed).

Well, it was confirmed by Adam Schefter of ESPN that Harold was dealt a mountain (by Fauozia) of adversity – as he suffered a torn ACL in Wednesday’s practice. Landry will have to intensely work to bounce back, while the Titans need the likes of Bud Dupree and Ola Adeniyi to blossom.

With that said, I would still unequivocally like to see the Titans target a free agent pass rusher to hunt down opposing signal-callers. Hence, I’m going to untwine five potential replacements for Harold Landry.

• Dee Ford

The former San Francisco 49ers pass rusher has had constant injury issues – as he’s missed 26 games in the past two seasons combined. However, I still believe he nicely showed his talent at 30 years old (in 2021) by ousting three sacks and four QB hits in six games. If he stays healthy, he can blatantly be a wrecking ball.

• Everson Griffen

The Minnesota Vikings legend, Everson Griffen, still has some gas left in the tank. Griffen ousted five sacks and 10 QB hits in nine games last season. He also had six sacks, 14 QB hits in 2020. Furthermore, he made the Pro Bowl in 2019 by registering 8 sacks and 24 QB hits. Besides 2021, he usually has been able to stay healthy.

• Trade for Marcus Davenport

The New Orleans Saints have tremendous pieces (Cameron Jordan, Marcus Davenport, and Payton Turner) at their DE spot. Jordan is still playing at a high level and I expect Turner to be at least a several sacks plus edge player, too. It may also be difficult to retain Davenport (who is a FA in 2023). After the Saints shipped out Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in his contract season, Dennis Allen may wish to ship away Davenport for the right offer.

• Chris Garrett

The D2 legend and utterly explosive edge rusher Chris Garrett may be a great value pick-up by the Titans. Garrett, who has had injury hiccups this summer, was waived by Sean McVay and the Rams. He holds a similar skill-set as Landry & he could potentially be a star for the Titans long-term.

• Alex Okafor

The former Kansas City Chiefs edge rusher Alex Okafor would be a sharp depth piece. Okafor notched 7 QB hits, 1.5 sacks, and 23 combined tackles last season.

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By: Jake Rajala

The reigning Super Bowl champions, Los Angeles Rams, recently released their first depth chart after their training camp has eclipsed. With that stated, I’m going to simply untwine five takeaways from the Rams depth chart.

Jake Funk

The Rams RB Jake Funk (seventh-round pick in 2021 draft), who only accumulated 5 rushing yds last season, should be a lot more involved in 2022. Funk is listed behind a Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr. sandwich. He is set to be a FA in 2025.

Brandon Powell

The explosive Brandon Powell is primed to be the starting KR and PR in Week 1. Powell is undoubtedly a vital, unique part of the Rams puzzle. He recorded a punt return TD on only six punt returns in 2021. Furthermore, he averaged 26 yards per kick return on eight kick returns.

Per Rams Wire, Powell injured his knee at mini-camp, but Sean McVay isn’t concerned about the incident.

Ben Skowronek

The Rams showcase the reigning OPOY Cooper Kupp and the fresh, top-tier wideout Allen Robinson. The third starting WR is none other than Ben Skowronek. The 2021 seventh-round pick has a big opportunity in wake of Van Jefferson’s injury. The Rams OC Liam Coen feels like he is a WR that LA can rely on.

Chris Garrett

The former D2 mythical pass rusher Chris Garrett had a developmental 2021 season, but he was expected to be should more involved in the Von Miller-less pass rush moving forward. His outlook is a bit uncertain after he injured his groin. Per Ramblin Fan, McVay stated the following about Garrett’s injury, “those soft tissue things can be anywhere between a couple of days to a couple of weeks”.

Garrett is listed as the back-up to Justin Hollins at this moment. I suspect that he will be in-sync at some point early in season – wether it is Week 1 or Week 3.

John Wolford

The back-up to Matthew Stafford, John Wolford, has seized quite a few reps w/ Matthew Stafford limited via his elbow injury. The former Wake Forest signal-caller is 1-0 in his lone start in the league.

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By: Jake Rajala

The LA Rams are undeniably one of the NFL juggernaut teams. I still believe that the Rams could benefit from the production of a few under-the-radar profiles. With that said, I’m going to simply outline a few Rams players that could unveil a career season in 2022.

Van Jefferson

I love the outlook for the underrated, third-year WR Van Jefferson in 2022. He will have excellent match-ups as the WR3 in Sean McVay’s dream team offense and he should only continue to grow with Matthew Stafford. He unveiled 802 yards and 6 touchdowns last season, but I expect him to be a 1,000-1,100 yd WR in an offense that should be in lots of competitive, shoot-outs next season.

Joe Noteboom

The Rams 26-year-old LT (and previous guard) Joe Noteboom registered a Top-15 pass blocking grade in his 142 snaps last season, per PFF. McVay clearly showed his confidence in Andrew Whitworth/Thanos’s replacement by re-signing the LT to a three-$40 million dollar deal. He may not be a sexy play-maker, but he will be pivotal for the Rams goal of being a dynasty team.

Leonard Floyd

The former Bears pass rusher has been successful (10.5 sacks in 2020 and 9.5 sacks in 2021), but I believe he could finally notch a Pro Bowl nod and unveil career numbers next season. He will not only have perfect match-ups across from the future HOF Aaron Donald, but the absence of Von Miller could help Floyd have better personal stats.

Honorable mention:

Chris Garrett

McVay believes he has a diamond in the rough with the D2 legend OLB/DE Chris Garrett. I expect the 2021 sixth-round pick and athletic freak that stayed on the roster last season to make splash plays in a rotional role at OLB next season. He may not be the next Floyd or Miller, but he could be a pivotal x-factor in the wild NFC West.

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