Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks: Stock Report

Stock Down

WR Tavon Austin

This may look weird for a guy who scored a long TD, but think about this: Tavon Austin scored a 27-yard rushing touchdown. In the game, he had six carries for 27 yards. That means five other carries were completely useless. Oh, and let’s not forget, he also fumbled two punts, one of which was lost. Tavon just can’t seem to get out of his own way at this point, and it surely won’t help his playing time.

WR Sammy Watkins

For the record, I have Sammy here, though it’s not directly his fault. The Rams top dog at WR went without a catch on Sunday, and nobody has an explanation why. Guys like Watkins need to see the ball in many ways (screens, slants, intermediate game, and deep shots), and here we are, Watkins averaging a paltry four targets a game. McVay and company really need to do a much better job of getting their best receiver involved, because he can take this offense to new heights.

SS Maurice Alexander

It’s not often you go from starter one week to inactive the next, all without injury. Mo has struggled mightily this year, and the coaching staff has taken notice. Inactive on gameday, Mo was replaced by rookie John Johnson in the lineup, and for a player in a contract year, it’s not the best situation to be in.

Stock Up

TE Tyler Higbee

For weeks it looked like Higbee was lost in the passing game, but he’s made a revival. After showing some life in week four, it was Higbee who was Goff’s go-to-guy in the passing game in week five. Higbee reeled in four receptions for 98 yards. There were multiple great plays by the second year TE. He was dangerously close to reeling in another long gain of about 25-30 yards.

SS John Johnson III

Ouuuuu! What a performance for the third round rookie starting his first game. Johnson made his presence felt early and often. He registered two PDF’s which could have both been INT’s, though he got his revenge in the second quarter when he stepped in front of an errant pass to TE Luke Willson. Johnson nearly returned it 80-yards for a TD but was caught by Russell Wilson at the 20. It wasn’t all roses for Johnson who allowed an endzone fade TD to Jimmy Graham, but it was a truly inspiring performance.

DE Aaron Donald

The beast is back. PFF had AD with 10 QB pressures, three solo run stops, and two QB hits. He was living in the Seahawks backfield all game, and had the Rams been facing any QB other than Russell Wilson, AD likely leaves that game with multiple sacks. It’s evident the more snaps and weeks that go by, the more comfortable Donald is becoming with this defense and role. Get ready for a big time breakout.