With The First Pick
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Rams 2021 NFL Draft Primer: Matthew Stafford to the rescue

By Darral Nail

Apr 23, 2019; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead (left) and coach Sean McVay address the media at a press conference at Cal Lutheran University prior to the 2019 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2019; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead (left) and coach Sean McVay address the media at a press conference at Cal Lutheran University prior to the 2019 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rams hope for veteran Stafford-to-Jackson connection. Photo Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /

Significant losses create holes on roster for Rams

So far this offseason, Los Angeles has added four players from outside their facility. Included in this number is a punter, a long snapper, receiver DeSean Jackson and quarterback Matthew Stafford.

While Jackson can still be seen flashing the electrifying downfield ability for which he is known (he led the league in yards per reception as recently as 2018), he is now 34 years of age and will join the Rams on the heels of his second stint in Philadelphia, which saw him catch 23 balls in only 8 appearances over a two-year stretch.

Though McVay, General Manager Les Snead, and company managed to bring aboard a potential playmaker on the offensive side in Jackson, while also upgrading their special teams unit (including the hiring of veteran coordinator Joe DeCamillis), the offseason addition of record is that of former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Having added one of the league’s top signal-callers, the hope will be that Stafford’s talents can unlock the full force of McVay’s offense. Were this to come to fruition, L.A. would figure to combine a high-scoring offensive attack with a defense that, although not as complete as it was a season ago, should still rank among the league’s best.

Conversely, the team has parted ways with nine contributors from the 2020 team. This list includes starters such as slot cornerback Troy Hill, safety John Johnson, defensive tackle Michael Brockers, wide receiver Josh Reynolds, center Austin Blythe, running back Malcolm Brown, and tight end Gerald Everett.

The team did manage to retain the services of EDGE Leonard Floyd, cornerback Darious Williams and tackle Andrew Whitworth, ensuring that the trio of key veterans would remain in-house for the 2021 season.

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