Which non-QB on offense would help the 2020 Rams the most?

Two seasons ago may be one of those rare times when the NFL’s MVP was actually the most valuable player in the league. I don’t mean that most MVP winners are not deserving of the honor. What I mean is that even if Lamar Jackson was absolutely the player who elevated his team the most in 2019 and rightfully won the award, I doubt many GMs would choose to trade for him over Patrick Mahomes should they be given the choice of any player right now.

The most yards and touchdowns ever thrown by a quarterback over his year two and three seasons is still Dan Marino in spite of the fact that he played roughly 30 years before the passing explosion that went to another level with 2013 Peyton Manning. The one quarterback who has finally challenged that is Mahomes, who in 2019 became the only other QB to ever top 9,000 passing yards and 70 touchdowns over years two and three.

I just can’t imagine that there’s a GM out there who doesn’t see Mahomes as the most valuable player in the NFL right now and probably for quite some time so long as he remains healthy.

The LA Rams are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 9-7 campaign after controlling the NFC West over the 2017-2018 thanks to a high-powered offense and an underrated defense. What could Mahomes have done differently in 2019 had the Rams somehow managed to run him out there instead of Jared Goff? It’s nothing more than a thought exercise — not a suggestion of a potential reality — but I’d say it was pointless for me to give Mahomes mention as being so valuable if I couldn’t back it up with the argument that LA could’ve been a lot better with him.

Quarterback is not the Rams most dire weakness, but if the Rams could actually have any player in the NFL, for me that answer would pretty much always have to be Mahomes. It’s that quick of a conclusion for me to draw, though I understand that there will be arguments to keep Goff, as he’s shown an ability to get the job done, and to instead shore up a bigger weakness on the roster with an elite non-QB.

In that respect, let’s start by considering who those elite non-QB commodities on offense could be and then perhaps that will lead to some thoughts on how the Rams could be thinking about their next big roster move. Whatever that may be. We know Les Snead has more than just a willingness to acquire high-profile free agents and trade acquisitions and eventually his resources to do so will return.

Which offensive non-QB would you most want for the 2020 LA Rams? (Without worrying about contracts and whether or not the Rams can afford them. Let’s pretend they can.)

Weapons

George Kittle, TE

Not a “need” per se but Kittle has to be a top-5 non-QB offensive player right now. He has an argument for being the NFL’s best run-blocking tight end, best pass-blocking tight end, and best receiving tight end. He may get a contract unlike any other tight end in league history and that’ll cause a lot of discussion on what some of his peers are being paid or want to be paid. But George Kittle may not have any real “peers” at tight end right now. He’s been that good.

Michael Thomas, WR

Another player who has separated himself from others who play the same position. His receiving stats are unlike anything we’ve seen, catching over 80% of his 185 targets when only a small handful of others at the position will barely crack 65% and on fewer targets. Not the need above all needs for LA, but when it’s Michael Thomas or DeAndre Hopkins, what does “need” really have to do with it?

Christian McCaffrey, RB

Saquon Barkley, RB

These are the two running backs I assume people would talk about first because they’re under 25 and have shown success both on the ground and in receiving. Alvin Kamara didn’t have a great 2019 and Derrick Henry is over 25. But I would accept that some may prefer Kamara, Henry, Nick Chubb, Ezekiel Elliott, or other.

Are people satisfied enough with Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson? Taking into account the doubts about running back value, I think maybe only McCaffrey or Barkley could sway some folks at this position.

Offensive Line

Ronnie Stanley, OT

Best tackle in the NFL now maybe? I recall how people felt when Stanley went over Laremy Tunsil because of the gas mask. They didn’t think that Stanley could actually play better than Tunsil if both were healthy and playing. Stanley was a 25-year-old All-Pro tackle for the Ravens last season so he’s erased any doubts, obviously. But Tunsil has an argument to be made for himself too — he was named first team All-Pro by the Sporting News.

Laremy Tunsil, OT

As mentioned.

Quenton Nelson, OG

I can’t imagine that there’s a soul in the NFL who’d say they wouldn’t want Nelson their team other than maybe some starting guards who don’t want to lose their jobs. Could you grab a guard over any of the other non-QB positions? That’s the only real question with Nelson as talent-wise and accolades-wise, he’s gonna have to find a way to play himself out of Hall of Fame consideration rather than into it.

We also know that when it comes to the Rams, Stanley, Tunsil, Nelson, Ryan Ramczyk, or an elite center like Rodney Hudson all bring incredible talent and ability into a position of great need.

Does that trump adding a player who can do something with the ball in his hands like McCaffrey or Kittle?