ESPN’s “too early” 2018 power rankings have Los Angeles Rams in top 10

Goodbye, 2017 season. Hello, 2018!

ESPN has a “too early” power rankings coming out of the Super Bowl that has the Los Angeles Rams creeping just inside the top 10:

9. Los Angeles Rams
2017 record: 11-5

The Rams will retain most of the NFL’s top-scoring offense but could have some work cut out if they can’t keep their defense together. Connor Barwin, Trumaine Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner and Nickell Robey-Coleman will all be free agents, and all four ranked in the top nine in snaps played among Rams defenders.

Yes, we still have free agency and the 2018 NFL Draft in front of us, but the outlook is clear. The Rams are headed into this offseason with the highest expectations in more than a decade. Rams fans won’t be hoping just to turn things around. Getting on the better side of .500 won’t be enough to satisfy the masses. The Rams are coming off of a wild card playoff game at home. That’s a starting point for 2018. And these power rankings only add to that level of expectation.

Buckle up, Rams fans. It’s a new day.