Los Angeles Rams vs New York Giants: Stock Report

Stock Down

These are a bit of a reach, but someone has to be in the stock down column!

OLB Ejuan Price

I’d really love to see Price get some playing time. So far through nine weeks, Price has been inactive on all game days. That’s probably fair, because I don’t believe he is playing special teams, but for a team that doesn’t really have a strong pass rushing presence at OLB, Price could inject some actual juice. Unfortunately for Price, (outside of injury), this season may be a learn from the sidelines type season.

S/CB Blake Countess

Countess has been a steady presence for the Rams on their special teams units. Countess seen some playing time on the defense yesterday once the starters were pulled, and got toasted by Sterling Shepard for a 37-yard catch that got the Giants within the five yard line. Countess will be relied on more with Cody Davis being sent to IR this past week, so hopefully there wont be a drop-off from Davis to Countess.

WR Tavon Austin

This isn’t so much against what Tavon has or hasn’t done, but more-so about other guys stepping up. For example, Tavon recently relinquished punt return duties because of his lack of fielding the punt. All Pharoh Cooper did on Sunday was average 18-yards per punt return, and had another one or two major returns called back. It doesn’t look like Tavon will get that job back anytime soon. Not only that, but Malcolm Brown has looked terrific running the ball once Gurley gets yanked too. Brown has nearly 140-yards rushing for a 3.7 YPC. The YPC seems low, but remember, he is carrying the ball in time-killing situations where defenses know 100% the Rams are going to run the ball play-after-play. Now, with Tavon being as explosive as he is, he’ll still have a role. Sean McVay is too good of a coach to not have a few wrinkles for Tavon every week, but if Malcolm Brown continues to impress, he could make Tavon’s impact as a RB on early downs less plentiful.

Stock Up

WR Robert Woods

Robert Woods leads the Rams in receptions (31), yards (451), and finally scored his first touchdown on Sunday as a Ram. Not only that, but he doubled up with two touchdowns. He had a 4-70-2 line on Sunday, which was highly impressive. His screen on 3rd-and-33 was a team effort, but Woods showed impressive vision and a burst unlike any other. You could tell he was starved to find the endzone. His second TD was a short crossing route where he found himself wide open. So far, this signing has been a terrific one.

WR Sammy Watkins

I had to slot Sammy in here. The Goff to Sammy connection finally struck on a 67-yard touchdown. Watkins ran a double move only to find himself past every Giants defender, and Goff was able to put a great ball over top for Sammy. He reeled it in with his hands and was visibly excited to strike the long TD. Watkins also had a go route in the first quarter where he was open deep but Goff just narrowly missed him.

Rams OL

Immaculate. Every week it’s the same story with these guys. Another game, another pristine performance. The Rams rushing attack had 162-yards on a 4.2 YPC average, and didn’t allow a single hit or sack on Jared Goff all afternoon. Aaron Kromer has been an absolute god-send.

QB Jared Goff

The young QB just seems to become more comfortable with every game that passes. Sure, his stat line was terrific (14/22, 311 yards, 4 TD’s, 0 INT), but he was even more impressive in terms of pocket presence, accuracy, and decision making. Goff routinely re-set his feet properly, and maintained his command and pocket presence with great precision. He extended multiple plays when his pocket collapsed, and kept his eyes downfield too. Goff’s QB rating would have been even more impressive if the Rams didn’t have a few close drops or tipped balls.