The Good

Few defensive tackles have been as dominant as Aaron Donald over his 9-year career. The 7x All-Pro is a surefire Hall of Famer when he decides to hang it up. In the meantime like McVay, Donald considered walking away but in the end, decided to come back after a disappointing 2022. Although out of his prime Donald is still a force on the defensive line regularly blowing up offensive plays. The Rams will need all they can get from Donald in order for them to have a chance to rebound in 2023.

When healthy, Cooper Kupp is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Kupp had a dominant 2021 season with the Rams where he amassed 1,947 receiving yards. 2022 was a different story as Kupp was only able to play in 9 games due to injury. He is currently still dealing with a hamstring injury that the Rams are calling day-to-day. While this is troubling I don’t expect him to miss much time this season and LA will need him to be in top form.

The Bad

Other than Aaron Donald the Los Angeles Rams defense is lacking star power. This is due to the team moving on from Leonard Floyd, Bobby Wagner and Jalen Ramsey who was traded to the Miami Dolphins. The Rams will now rely on rookies and several unproven players on a defense that will have a tough time stopping anybody. Teams will be able to double-team Donald regularly and attack the young cornerbacks on the outside. It’s clear the Rams have decided to invest in the offensive side of the ball rather than the defense. If the offense struggles this could be another long year for LA.

The Prediction

It’s looking more like the Rams are in for another tough season. This may be the final year we see Matthew Stafford and Aaron Donald in a Rams uniform. There are just too many questions on the defense and not enough weapons on offense for them to be successful.

2023 Record: 5-12 (3rd in the Division)

The post Los Angeles Rams Record Prediction for 2023 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Analytics involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data in order to make informed decisions. In the NFL, this data can come from a variety of sources, including player statistics, game film, and player tracking technology. By analyzing this data, teams can gain a deeper understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of their opponents.

The Benefits of Analytics in the NFL

Analytics can provide teams with a more comprehensive view of a player’s abilities and limitations. This can help teams to make more informed decisions when it comes to player scouting, drafting, and roster construction. For example, the Cleveland Browns used analytics to identify quarterback Baker Mayfield as a strong prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Browns analytics team analyzed Mayfield’s college statistics and game film to determine that he had the arm talent, accuracy, and leadership qualities necessary to succeed in the NFL. Clearly in the long run this did not pan out for the Browns but they are still the leaders in the clubhouse when it comes to the use of analytics.

Another way teams can use analytics is to gain a deeper understanding of their opponents tendencies and strategies. This information can be used to develop game plans that take into account the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing team. The New England Patriots, for instance, are known for their meticulous game preparation. They are the best at this in the modern game today but do they use analytics in that process? Head Coach Bill Belichick has spoken out in the past about the use of analytics and that he prefers the old school approach. However the Patriots are known to use analytics in their scouting department when it comes to the draft and seem to be warming up to the trend.

By using analytics to identify areas for improvement, teams can more effectively allocate resources and make changes to their operations. This can lead to increased efficiency and a better overall performance. The Dallas Cowboys, use analytics to optimize their practice schedule and reduce the risk of player injury. By analyzing player workload and injury data, the Cowboys were able to make changes to their practice schedule that reduced the number of soft-tissue injuries suffered by players.

The world of NFL analytics is constantly evolving and teams should make use of the latest technology. Player tracking systems to collect data and gain a deeper understanding of the game have become commonplace. This data can be used to inform decisions and improve performance on the field. Most teams by now use the Zebra Sports player tracking system to collect data on player speed, acceleration, and other metrics. This information is used to inform game planning and player development decisions.

How Teams Can Use Analytics to Reach the Super Bowl

Analytics can provide teams with the information they need to make informed decisions on and off the field. This can range from player personnel decisions to play calling during games. The Los Angeles Rams used analytics to inform their play-calling during their Super Bowl run in 2018. The Rams analytics team along with the coaches identify the most effective plays and formations to use in different game situations. Head Coach Sean McVay admitted that analytics play an important role but to know the flow of the game and when to push buttons is just as important.

When it comes to the Kansas City Chiefs they also use analytics to inform their play-calling and game strategy. Like McVay, head coach Andy Reid still believes in the human element of the game and he has the ability to make the final call on the play in any situation. Still though these two teams have arguably been the most successful NFL teams recently and the fact that they embrace analytics is no surprise.

By now almost every NFL team has an analytics department in charge of using many data points to guide their football decisions. With the use of technology, analytics can be a very powerful tool to help propel teams to the Super Bowl. Those that fully accept analytics will have the upper hand on gameday and beyond.

The post Analytics in the NFL: How Teams Can Use It to Reach the Super Bowl appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Brock Wells

Sean McVay is fresh off a Super Bowl win at the helm of the Los Angeles Rams and aims to have them back in the mix of championship contention again in the 2022 season. At 36, he’s an extremely young NFL head coach and was the youngest head coach in the modern history of the league when he was hired by the Rams in 2017. Some have pointed to his youth and spunk as one of the ultimate strengths of the current Rams franchise.

Is the youngest head coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl a Hall of Famer? When you consider the fact that he’s been to two Super Bowls already is his very young coaching career, it seems as though he’s surely headed in that direction. Or does this actually reflect a mere moment in time that tells us very little about what McVay’s career may turn out to be? With a career this young, it’s obvious time is the only thing that will tell.

When McVay became the youngest head coach in NFL history to win the Super Bowl, he didn’t set that mark by long. Mike Tomlin was also just 36 years old when his Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII with last-second heroics over the Arizona Cardinals. Tomlin was a mere ten months older than McVay. Before Tomlin, Jon Gruden was the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl at 39 when his Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat up the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Let’s look at their careers respectively. McVay, Tomlin, and Gruden each won a Super Bowl in their first five seasons as a head coach.

Five-year regular season winning percentage:

• McVay: .679
• Tomlin: .688
• Gruden: .625

Now, just to make it clear, Gruden is not a Hall of Famer. His Tampa Bay Super Bowl team was essentially Tony Dungy’s team which he just happened to be in the right place for. On the other hand, McVay and Tomlin without question created the culture with which their respective Super Bowl teams were molded by. Tomlin, who likely is a future Hall of Famer, won his Super Bowl in just his second season at the helm.

Tomlin’s Hall of Fame credentials extend even beyond that. Like McVay, he took his team to two Super Bowls in his first five seasons as head coach. But what we don’t know yet about McVay’s career is whether he will continue to sustain a winning culture long into his career. In 15 years now as the coach of the Steelers, Tomlin’s teams have never finished a season under .500. He’s also reached the mark of 150 regular season wins.

McVay is just over a third of the way to 150 at this point, although his team features to be right in the mix for the Super Bowl contention again in 2022. If his career was finished today, it’s difficult to say he’s a Hall of Famer. It isn’t that he isn’t on the right trajectory””he certainly is””it’s just that there isn’t enough career to make a full determination yet. If the culture he’s built in Los Angeles over the last five years proves to be sustainable over the long haul, surely we’ll have a better answer.

The post Is Sean McVay a future Hall of Famer? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Los Angeles Rams flexed their talent at quarterback (with Matthew Stafford) and wide receiver (with Cooper Kupp) in 2021, but they were missing a key ingredient at running back. Cam Akers, who recorded 625 yds in 2020, sadly tore his Achilles in the 2021 training camp. His injury caused him to miss 16 games last season. It’s safe to say that Sean McVay is thankful to have his talented running back healthy and ready to unleash havoc moving forward.

The Rams had the 25th-ranked rushing attack last season — after having the 10th-ranked rushing offense in 2020. The Rams should be able to have at least a middle-of-the-pack rushing attack next season.

Akers recently turned 23 years old and he should be a pivotal RB1 for LA for many years to come. He will be joined by Darrell Henderson Jr. — who had a modest 688 rushing yds, 4.6 YPC, and 5 rushing TDs last season. He ehad a 68.7 grade by PFF.

After the top two RBs, they have Kyren Williams and Jake Funk. Williams is a fifth-round draft pick out of Notre Dame. His best season came in his sophomore season — where he unveiled 1,125 rushing yds, 5.3 YPC, and 13 rushing TDs. He still had a superb junior season, as he notched 1,002 rushing yds, 4.9 YPC, and 14 rushing TDs. Funk is a seventh-round draft pick out of the 2021 NFL Draft. He only had five rushing yds last season, but he could have a larger role in 2022 if one of the top two RBs has an injury.

With that said, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if the genius Sean McVay brought in another RB. He has a strong taste for acquiring offensive firepower — regardless of the current talent on offense.

The post Los Angeles Rams running back outlook right now appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Raina Rutschka

It wasn’t long ago that Jared Goff was the man to beat. He had just led his team to an NFC Championship and a Super Bowl appearance. His relationship with Sean McVay seemed to be in a strong place, and the Rams looked like a force to be reckoned with.

Fast forward four years and life couldn’t be more different for Goff. His relationship with his former head coach crumbled beneath him, leading to the downfall of his playing career in Los Angeles. After a rocky 2020 season, Goff was traded to the Detroit Lions. Goff and the Lions ended last season with the second-worst record in the league at 3-13.

Detroit has made a lot of upgrades this season, but they chose to stick with their guns at quarterback, keeping Goff around for another year. For 2022, that seems to be the best option. But is Goff a long-term solution for the Lions?

The arguments to keep Goff

The biggest draw to Goff is his experience. He’s been a part of almost everything that the NFL has in store, including the game of all games. Goff was also a key part of the development of Cooper Kupp, the NFL’s reigning triple crown receiver. If previous success is a determining factor in future success, Dan Campbell and the Lions may be leaning on their quarterback to aid in the development of rookie receiver Jameson Williams.

Goff has already proven he has good chemistry with the Lions’ young receivers. In 2021, rookie wide receiver Amon Ra St. Brown showed glimpses of being a star receiver in the not-so-distant future. If Goff’s connection with Williams is as immediate and meaningful, it may give the Lions a reason to keep him around.

Why the Lions should move on

Despite Goff’s previous success, he hasn’t shown much promise for the future. He seems to be past his peak, with stats declining steadily the previous three seasons. In 2021, Goff threw for just 19 touchdowns to eight interceptions. His 332 completed passes for 3245 yards were the lowest of his starting career per Pro Football Reference.

His declining stats are just one piece of the puzzle, however. There aren’t many people that expect the Lions to excel this year, leaving the door open for another high draft pick in 2023. Unlike the 2022 draft class, the 2023 class is stacked with first-round talent at quarterback. Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, and Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke are all highly regarded as the top talents at QB in next year’s draft.

If the Lions find themselves with a high pick and these exceptional quarterbacks on the board, they would be remiss to not consider taking them. Jared Goff has tried his hand at being a franchise quarterback, and it didn’t lead the Rams where they hoped. Young, Stroud, and Van Dyke are the next generational talents with the makings of a franchise quarterback.

The Lions’ core pieces on offense, D’Andre Swift, Jameson Williams, and Amon Ra St. Brown, are all young talents. Joining them with a young, up-and-coming quarterback might be the spark the Lions need to get out of the bottom tier of the league once again. That being said, there aren’t many reasons the Lions should consider keeping Goff around much longer. A rebuilding team deserves an upgrade at every position, including quarterback.

The post Could Jared Goff actually be the long-term QB? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Miami Dolphins have been one of the most polarizing NFL squads this offseason. Similar to the Los Angeles Rams, the Dolphins have a young ambitious coach who isn’t scared to take risks. It’s honestly hard for a lot of people to imagine and sometimes be a fan of mystic growth, but the Dolphins could really take a large leap next season. It wouldn’t be a shock if the 2022 Dolphins surprise the NFL world in a way that the 2021 Cincinnati Bengals shocked NFL audiences.

With that enunciated, I believe the outlook of McDaniel will be a significant reason why the Dolphins could strike a playoff berth and unveil an unusually successful season. Furthermore, the fiery, hipster McDaniel could win COTY in the process of a fantastic 2022 Dolphins season. Here are a couple of reasons why McDaniel is truly a darkhorse to win COTY next season.

• Scoring machine

The Dolphins may not unveil 13+ wins next season, but the Dolphins could score A LOT of points. Tua Tagovailoa will have Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, so expect fireworks frequently. The COTY isn’t always the coach “with the most victories”. Sean McVay won COTY in 2017 with an 11-5 record and Kevin Stefanski was named COTY in 2020 with an 11-5 record. I believe McDaniel could follow a similar path as McVay and Stefanski in winning COTY by improving Tua Tagovailoa, unleashing a Top 10 scoring offense, and leading the Dolphins to 11 or 12 wins in 2022.

• Success against the Bills

It will be hard for the Dolphins to win the AFC East or be a cream of the crop AFC squad if they get swept by the Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins had 9 victories last season, but the Bills mopped the floor against MIA. The Bills beat the Dolphins 35-0 and 26-11 in 2021. If the borderline playoff team Dolphins can split games with the Bills next season, it would make a significant difference for the new-look Dolphins team. If the underdog Dolphins can upset the Bills twice in a similar way that the Saints swept the juggernaut Buccaneers, the Dolphins could realistically win their division and really sit well in their conference at the end of the season.

The post Why Mike McDaniel is really the darkhorse COTY candidate appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Los Angeles Rams have officially signed linebacker Bobby Wagner to a five-year, $50 million dollar contract. Sean McVay made it loud and clear that the Rams were strongly interested in inking Wagner after he left Seattle. McVay’s wish of landing Wagner came to fruition on Thursday.

The Rams dream team consists of Wagner, Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, Jalen Ramsey, Matthew Stafford, and Allen Robinson. I fully expect the Rams to elevate their overall performance with Wagner on their squad. With that said, the question is: what exactly should we expect from the Rams defense with Wagner leading them out into battle?

The Rams gave up the second-fewest passing touchdowns last season and they managed to give up the sixth-fewest rushing yards in 2021. Furthermore, the Rams also ranked ninth in PPG allowed last season. Demario Davis is a big reason why the Saints gave up the fourth-fewest rushing yards a season ago and he was the leader behind the Saints defensive unit that allowed the fewest rushing yards per play (3.7) in 2021 (while the Rams impressively allowed 4 rushing yards per carry). Wagner should provide significant improvements for the Rams defense in a similar way that Davis fuels the Saints defense.

The Rams may have featured Donald, Ramsey, and Von Miller last season, but they didn’t have a quality ILB. Troy Reeder led the Rams in tackles last season (91) and the Rams clearly wanted to upgrade at the pivotal MLB spot this offseason. The Rams didn’t re-sign Reeder this offseason, as they aimed to mightily improve their key MLB spot. It’s safe to say that Les Snead’s patience with Wagner has paid off, as he inked the future Hall of Fame LB.

I expect the Rams to unleash the best-run defense in the NFL next season and they should unveil a Top 5 defense in PPG allowed. It will be difficult for the Rams defense to be sexy in the PPG allowed category, as opposing teams will engage in shootouts with the Rams offense. Nonetheless, Wagner will really improve a quality defense and he will make his biggest mark in key games next season.

The post What is the ceiling of the Rams defense with Bobby Wagner? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Los Angeles Rams have honestly had a terrific offseason thus far. Sean McVay upgraded at the wide receiver position with the signing of Allen Robinson. A-Rob is clearly an upgrade over Odell Beckham Jr. at this point in time (regardless of OBJ’s injury). The Rams also kept Sean McVay and most likely Aaron Donald out of retirement.

I still expect the Rams to be aggressive and creative to acquire talent this offseason. There are a few profiles that I believe McVay is currently drooling over this offseason. With that said, here are a few free-agent draft prospects that should impress Les Snead and McVay in the near future:

Bobby Wagner

McVay has been firm in his interest to ink the future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner. Per Rams Wire, McVay is definitely interested in bringing in Wagner. If the Rams signed the former Seahawks LB, it would honestly be the most impressive free-agent signing by any NFL team this offseason. It would be hard to imagine that the utterly explosive Rams offense wouldn’t be joined by a Top 5 defense with Wagner, Aaron Donald, Leonard Floyd, and Jalen Ramsey.

James Cook

James Cook, the brother to Dalvin Cook, would be a fine replacement for Sony Michel. Cook impressively ran a 4.42 40 yard dash and his agility is as equally impressive. PFF nicely compares Cook to DeVonta Freeman. The Saints traded up to snag Alvin Kamara in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. I wouldn’t be shocked if McVay grabbed a shiny playmaker in Cook in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Odell Beckham Jr.

I suspect that Odell Beckham Jr. is hoping for a team to overpay for his services, but It would be very logical if he returned to the Rams on a short-term contract. OBJ could be involved in the Robert Wood-less offense and have a strong chance of winning another Lombardi. I’d also expect OBJ to want to play for a playoff contender on a one or two-year deal because he will already miss a huge chunk of the 2022 season. There isn’t any reason why OBJ can’t have a ton of success with the Rams in 2022 and then sign a massive four-year deal after the 2022 season.

Jadeveon Clowney

It appears that Jadeveon Clowney is looking to finally cash in after staying healthy and having a 9 sack season. I expect him to sign with a squad that offers him the most money. Clowney may not be head over heels to sign with a squad like the New York Jets, but he can help any team grow for the next five years. If the Rams sign a player like Wagner or OBJ, he may be more tempted to take less money to ink a deal with the Rams (If the Rams make their cap work for numerous FA signings). With that enunciated, I expect the Rams are more interested in signing Wagner and OBJ than Clowney (and his infamous Outback Bowl hit).

The post 5 dream targets for the LA Rams right now appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Los Angeles Rams have really made bright free agent moves after winning Super Bowl LVI. Sean McVay has brought in the superb Allen Robinson and he managed to retain his starting center, Brian Allen.

On March 22nd, it appears that McVay still has a few tricks up his sleeve and he’s going to keep the gas on the pedal with Aaron Donald still playing on an unearthly level. With that said, who could the Rams look to add to their dream team roster? Well, here are a few faces that would make a ton of sense for LA.

• Odell Beckham Jr.

I honestly foresee the Rams keeping OBJ for at least another season. He was clearly playing well in their system and he will have another excellent opportunity to win back-to-back Super Bowl rings. According to NBC Sports, Les Snead absolutely wants Odell Beckham Jr. back in a Rams uniform.

I had an itch that OBJ would return to the Big Easy, but I expect him to be more appealed to playing with Matthew Stafford than Deshaun Watson Jameis Winston in 2022.

• Jadeveon Clowney

I wouldn’t be surprised if Clowney took slightly less money to have a strong chance of unveiling a career season next to Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd in 2022. The Rams have been fortunate to sign DL studs like Clay Matthews, Ndamukong Suh, and Von Miller. It would make a ton of sense if the Rams were very aggressive to bring in another elite DL in their prime Super Bowl window. If they can’t swing big on OBJ, I really expect the Rams to target Clowney to replace Von Miller.

• Trey Flowers

The Rams have been in hot pursuit of big-name pass rushers over the McVay era, but they have also acquired underperforming edge players with a lot of talent like Dante Fowler Jr. If the reigning Super Bowl champions can’t lure in Clowney, they should fall back on Trey Flowers. From 2016 to 2019, Flowers had 6.5+ sacks in each regular season. Flowers only played in 7 sacks in each of the past two seasons, but he is healthy and looking to return to a fierce pass rusher in the right situation.

The post Remaining free agent targets for the LA Rams appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Los Angeles Rams bravely defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI. Cooper Kupp shined in the Rams victory with two touchdowns and 92 yards. Kupp clearly deserved the MVP award as he nicely received it on the podium following the big win.

Sean McVay has finally won a Super Bowl and he proved to be the youngest coach ever to win a SB (36 years old). McVay, Kupp, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and Odell Beckham Jr. notably boosted their legacy with their victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Rams will enter the offseason with euphoria and goals to win more championships. With that said, they will face serious obstacles to repeat similar heights of success. The Rams are 28th in cap space with roughly -14 million, according to “Over The Cap”. Nonetheless, trust in Les Snead and McVay to get creative to acquire some players on a cheaper contract. Here are three free agents that the Rams should take a close look at this offseason.

Tre’Quan Smith

The New Orleans Saints third-string WR took a step back in 2021, but it didn’t help that he was playing on the 32nd ranked passing offense. It feels like yesterday Taysom Hill missed Smith for a wide-open touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys. Tre’Quan Smith will likely seek more sound opportunities in 2022. The 26-year-old who recorded 377 yards and 3 touchdowns in 11 games last season could look to go to LA on a one-year prove-it deal. Smith could be seen as the great value version of OBJ, but he is still an ascending wideout looking for his best season.

Jared Cook

The Rams will most likely not retain Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason. The Pro Bowl WR isn’t only on a team getting Robert Woods back, but he also unfortunately suffered a torn ACL in the Super Bowl. So, the “cap-strapped Rams would be making a high-risk deal” with OBJ. I’d like to see the Rams bring in a cheaper weapon and a big body target for Matthew Stafford. They could have their guy with Jared Cook, who reeled in 564 yards and four touchdowns. Cook would be a nice complement to Tyler Higbee and McVay would be able to dream up matchups with the tight ends in the play-action game.

Cordarrelle Patterson

The Atlanta Falcons WR/RB ousted a career year in receiving yards (548), rushing touchdowns (6), receiving touchdowns (5), and rushing yards (618). Patterson, who is also a two-time All-Pro returner, is the ultimate swiss army knife-free agent target. It would only be fitting if the most versatile free agent joined the most creative offensive coach in the NFL. Patterson would cost more than Tre’Quan Smith and less than OBJ. His money figure is worth 6-7 million per season, which would be about half of Odell’s contract number per season. Nonetheless, everybody should expect McVay to get more out of Patterson than any other team with his unique presence.

The post 3 free agent targets for the LA Rams appeared first on Pro Football Mania.