Los Angeles Rams vs Houston Texans: Stock report

Stock Down

WR Tavon Austin

As the season goes on, Tavon Austin is proving to be a non-reliable rushing piece. When I say that, I don’t mean his occasional change-of-pace run that goes for 10-yards or more, I’m talking about being counted on as a spell RB for Todd Gurley. Tavon had five carries for two measly yards on Sunday, and cannot be counted on as a backup RB, only the occasional change-of-pace gadget play. Lance Dunbar finally seen his first action as a Ram, and looked much better as a true backup RB, toting the rock five times for 31-yards.

CB Kayvon Webster

I don’t want to knock Kayvon too much for Sunday’s performance, as he was burned by one of the league’s best WR’s in DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins is simply remarkable, and he’ll get his, regardless of which CB matches up with him. The bigger reason he’s here is because he had a huge chance to make contract-year Trumaine Johnson expendable, but that hasn’t happened. If anything, watching guys like Kayvon Webster allows us to see how valuable Trumaine Johnson really is.

SS John Johnson III

John Johnson simply makes this list because of his blunder on the 26-yard TD by Bruce Ellington. His play has been fine, and as expected for a third round rookie, but that was his second awful angle this season (Leonard Fournette long TD being the first) that has led to a big play for opposing offenses.

Stock Up

WR Robert Woods

In his last two weeks, Robert Woods has amassed 12 receptions, 241-yards, and four touchdowns. Coming off a career day, Woods had a 8-171-2 line on Sunday. As the season continues, the Goff-to-Woods connection just seems to be growing at a rapid pace. Continually open with a pair of soft mitts, Woods has become the defacto #1 WR for this offense.

RG Jamon Brown

For a player who couldn’t even start over incumbent RG Cody Wichmann last season, Jamon Brown has come a LONG way in a short year. Even in the preseason, Jamon Brown and Rob Havenstein showed some struggles as they were still gelling on the right side. Fast forward 10 weeks? Well, take a look:

Aaron Kromer, take a bow.

DE Aaron Donald

Aaron Donald is the best defensive player in the league. Scratch that. Aaron Donald is the best player in the entire league, regardless of position. AD has now compiled four sacks in his past four games, three of which were forced fumbles. Not only that, but he had another two sacks (one of which was a forced fumble) called back due to penalty. AD is finally warming up, and that’s a scary thought for opposing offenses.

ILB Mark Barron

Mark Barron is the best LB on the Rams, which includes all four LB positions. Not only has he been active all over the field, his interception on Sunday absolutely flipped the games momentum. The Texans were up 7-6 in the game, and just about to enter the redzone, prior to a terrific play by Mark Barron to allow the Rams to mount a drive just before halftime - which lead to a 9-7 lead for the Rams.