What is Rams biggest remaining need?

Should the Rams need to put together a starting offense in September with the players who are on the roster today, this is probably what it would look like:

Matthew Stafford-Cam Akers-Tyler Higbee-Robert Woods-Cooper Kupp-DeSean Jackson

Andrew Whitworth-David Edwards-Austin Corbett-Joseph Noteboom-Rob Havenstein

Without getting into any arguments about the offensive line or whether Van Jefferson is more likely to contribute than Jackson, because I’m certainly easy to convince to make a change in either of those areas, this is a reasonable starting 11 for the Rams.

The defense is a little bit harder to figure out, but I could definitely choose 11 players regardless.

Aaron Donald-A’Shawn Robinson-Sebastian Joseph-Day

Leonard Floyd-Micah Kiser-Travin Howard-Terrell Lewis

Jalen Ramsey-Jordan Fuller-Terrell Burgess-Darious Williams

That’s 11 players because I have stuck with a 3-4 base and so there isn’t a nickel corner, but we could easily call Burgess a nickel and Juju Hughes a starting safety; or remove Howard and add David Long, Jr.; or maybe Taylor Rapp works his way in somehow as a linebacker-safety who plays closer to the line.

I don’t really know, but there are 11 or 12 or 13 defensive names to start considering for the mix, not including Greg Gaines or Kenny Young or Justin Hollins or Troy Reeder.

Other than the exodus of many coaches and most of their free agents, the Rams should not be expected to be dramatically different next season at most positions, even if they will be dramatically different based on the one change at quarterback.

There is a tiny bit of free agency left, at least as it pertains to Los Angeles, and then the Rams enter the 2021 draft with three picks on day two and a couple more on day three. What should they focus on as their highest priority when it comes to either of those events?

Center

Austin Blythe remains a free agent and as of today, LA might either convert Corbett back to center, or they’d have to wrestle with having Brian Allen in the middle. A different conversion, like Tremayne Anchrum, might also be up for consideration. These are the current options but the Rams don’t seem pressured to do anything.

Wide Receiver

Even a one month setback could spell the end of DeSean Jackson’s career at this point. That’s what happens when you are a mid-thirties player in the NFL. The Rams’ depth after Kupp and Woods, is Jefferson, Nsimba Webster, and Trishton Jackson.

Right Guard

If Corbett moved to center, the right guard spot would have to be occupied by Noteboom or Anchrum or Bobby Evans or Chandler Brewer. That doesn’t seem too pressing, but it’s a consideration for depth or potentially even a starter.

Defensive End

Michael Brockers was traded to the Lions, Morgan Fox went to the Panthers, and Derek Rivers is gone too. The most obvious fit for that position on the roster right now might be someone as low on the 2020 depth chart as Eric Banks, who wasn’t even on the 53 then. There have been zero additions on defense so far.

Inside Linebacker

Oddly, linebacker could be considered the top draft priority because of the long-term implications, but is an inside linebacker going to move the needle a lot for the Rams next season?

Weakside Linebacker

Terrell Lewis or Ogbonnia Okoronkwo could compete for those snaps opposite of Floyd. Or someone else could.

Nickel Corner

Troy Hill went back to the Bengals and that leaves David Long as the next corner up. That is unless Terrell Burgess transitions to that position next season. But the Rams don’t have anybody near as experienced as Hill and not even Darious Williams has a ton of experience at this point. Adding a veteran corner could have value to the defense.

Safety

I wouldn’t think this is the highest priority because the Rams have been working on loading this position up, but the loss of John Johnson can’t be completely ignored.