Rams 2020 player projections: From Aaron Donald to Van Jefferson

We’re stealing a good idea from our friends at Niners Nation.

Here are some player projections for the 2020 Rams:

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Best player: Aaron Donald
This took me about a half second to consider. Donald has long been the best player on the Rams’ roster. He is one of the top three (and could be the best) defensive players in the NFL. He is special and the Rams have him in his prime.

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Key veteran addition: Leonard Floyd
There weren’t a lot of major additions to the Rams this offseason but I think Floyd could help the Rams. I’m not expecting him to be an elite player, but I think we will see some juice from him. He only has 11.5 sacks in the past three season combined, but expect the Rams to put him in position to get 6-8 sacks in 2020.

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Player to take next step: Sebastian Joseph-Day
The Rams are high on this young defensive lineman. He had 44 tackles and two sacks in 2019, and I expect we will see the defensive tackle to get more field time in 2020. Playing next to Donald will also help Joseph-Day’s development. The sixth-round pick in 2018 might have been a draft steal.

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Rookie I’m most excited to watch: Van Jefferson
I now most people are most excited about seeing running back Cam Akers. The No. 52 pick is a great fit for the Rams’ offense and he will get a chance to shine right away. However, I’m bubbling over with excitement about Jefferson. The No. 57 pick (acquired in the Brandin Cooks trade) was a scouts’ favorite this year. The Florida product is polished and is a great route runner. Often, rookie receivers struggle — but in this offense, I can see Jefferson making a big, immediate impact.