By: Jake Rajala

The Los Angeles Rams may have a high from their previous Super Bowl victory, but they need to go back to the drawing board for the 2022 season. Their first battle is inches away (on Thursday night against the extremely heavy Super Bowl favorite Buffalo Bills). Well, I’m going to bring joy and unique excitement to the Rams fan base – by untwining five x-factors for the Rams in the 2022 season.

• Taylor Rapp

The Rams 24-year-old safety, Taylor Rapp, had a sneaky good season in 2022: four interceptions (career-high), pass deflections (six), 1.5 sacks, 3 QB hits, and two tackles for loss. Rapp was even named NFC Defensive Player of The Week for his Week 6 performance. He will surely have an opportunity to prove himself against the best on Thursday night.

• Darrell Henderson Jr.

It’s a massive victory for Sean McVay to utilize a healthy Cam Akers, but they still have an aggressive Darrell Henderson Jr. The Rams RB2 from Mephmis ousted 688 rushing yards (while averaging 4.6 YPC) and five rushing TDs for the Rams offense. PFF handed Henderson Jr. a modest 68.7 grade for his performance in 2021. Besides LA showcasing the 2021 Offensive Player of The Year Cooper Kupp, the new and improved QB Matthew Stafford, and a talented RB1 in Akers, they have an exciting face in Henderson Jr.

• Van Jefferson

The LA Rams showcase the mighty WR duo in Cooper Kupp & Allen Robinson. Yet, let’s not forget about the underrated Van Jefferson — who ousted 50 catches, 802 yards, and 6 touchdowns last season. The 26-year-old will be MIA for the opener, but I trust him to win his match-ups as the season progresses.

• Brandon Powell

The Rams ace returner, Brandon Powell, had a punt return TD on a mere six PRs last season. He also averaged 26 yards per KR. He will be an exciting and consistent threat with more reps – to say the least. He will also have increased snaps at wideout in Week 1 with Jefferson healing his injury.

• Justin Hollins

Justin Hollins may not be Von Miller, but he can have a breakout season at edge rusher. He nicely edged out Terrell Lewis for the starting OLB spot this summer. In eight games last season, the Rams OLB obtained a pair of sacks, 22 tackles, 1 QB hit, 1 TFL, and 1 FF.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Los Angeles Rams crisp wide receiver Cooper Kupp will seek to win the triple crown (receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns) for the second season in a row. Kupp should also feel delighted that Davante Adams is no longer a Green Bay Packer.

Kupp signed a three-year contract extension that was worth $80 million in early June. Les Snead didn’t lose his touch – as the Rams also gave Aaron Donald a hefty new deal – which also made him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.

Kupp was of course joined by Allen Robinson this off-season. It already appears that he will have a very unique role. Per PFT, the Rams OC Liam Coen stated, “I think his route tree is extremely expanded from probably years ago, or maybe what we’ve had our other receivers do.” It’s clear that Sean McVay had a crystal-clear vision of A-Rob in the Rams offense – who had 102 receptions, 1,250 yds, and six touchdowns in 2020.

His QB has already been impressed with Robinson’s growth this off-season, as well. Per NFL.com, Stafford stated, “I’ve been very, very impressed with his ability to grasp our offense, his role in our offense”. After Stafford and A-Rob squared off against each other in the NFC North, it’s obvious that the two sides are excited to be on the same unit.

Van Jefferson will be a sleeper WR in the league next season, to say the least. Jefferson recorded 50 receptions, 802 yds, and six touchdowns in his sophomore season. He should be a 1,000+ yd WR with more development and excellent match-ups across the two big WRs in LA. As Fantasy Pros mentioned, he should also really blossom if an injury to Kupp or Robinson (five missed games last season) occurs.

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

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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