The 2022 NFL draft and the most active period of free agency are in the rearview mirror this offseason, meaning that power rankings are going to populate the internet moving forward. Peter King, who compiles a thorough power rankings article in the offseason every year, has the Los Angeles Rams listed as his No. 4 team entering the 2022 campaign.
Here is an excerpt on why King believes the Rams are the fourth-best team.
I want to pick the Von Miller-less, Sebastian Joseph-Day-less, Odell Beckham-less (for now), Andrew Whitworth-less, Robert Woods-less Rams to move back a bit after their Super Bowl season. But like Green Bay, let’s remember what remains. The four biggest player drivers to a championship are back and should be as good as ever: Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey. Oh, and coach Sean McVay, who, at least for 2022, remains coaching and not commentating. And do not underestimate the force that is McVay in moving this team forward. Some coaches coach the team. McVay coaches the team, sets the organizational tone, and gives the team a fervor during the week and certainly on Sundays.
After winning Super Bowl LVI over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Rams are going to look a bit different in 2022. Von Miller signed with the Buffalo Bills in free agency, Sebastian Joseph-Day joined the Los Angeles Chargers, Andrew Whitworth retired, Robert Woods was traded to the Tennessee Titans, and Odell Beckham Jr. remains unsigned following a serious knee injury in the Super Bowl.
That being said, Los Angeles did sign Bobby Wagner on the defensive side of the ball, reunited with Troy Hill via trade during the draft, and signed Allen Robinson in free agency. While King has the Buffalo Bills, the Los Angles Chargers, and the Kansas City Chiefs above the Rams, he’s quick to point out that the defending champions are still legitimate contenders.
Despite the losses they had in the offseason, Los Angeles still has Sean McVay steering the ship and Matthew Stafford orchestrating the offense under center with Cooper Kupp looking to replicate his historic season in 2021. On top of that, Jalen Ramsey is still the best cornerback in the NFL, and even amid retirement speculation, Aaron Donald is expected to return in 2022.
It is going to be far from easy for McVay’s squad to repeat the success they had a season ago, especially with the schedule they’ll have next season. But after a crazy offseason that saw plenty of teams improve on paper, the Rams are still expected to potentially represent the NFC in Super Bowl 57.