Sports Illustrated has some ‘bold’ 2024 predictions for the Rams

Making predictions this time of year is a necessity to keep the fans entertained during the slow part of the L.A. Rams offseason. While I’m waiting to post my predictions for this upcoming season, some writers have decided to aim high.

Conor Orr from Sports Illustrated made 100 bold predictions for the 2024 NFL season in his June 20 article. He certainly made the boldest of them all: “Aaron Donald will unretire and join the Rams for a playoff run.”

“Have you ever seen that guy? Do you think for a moment he’s not going to remain incredibly ripped? Or that he’d unregister his hands as lethal weapons? Donald has put together a Hall of Fame career, but when his coach calls around Halloween and pitches him on a sweetheart deal that allows Donald to practice sparingly but still come in and absolutely destroy game plans on the weekend, he won’t say no.”

Orr certainly went bold when it came to the AD prediction. Or is it really that bold to begin with? I’m among the group of NFL fans that do not see the future Hall of Famer returning in ‘24. However, nothing can be ruled out and who knows, perhaps Donald will find the itch to play again if the Rams are in the thick of the NFC playoff picture. I wouldn’t expect him to turn down a chance to earn a second ring to pad his already-legendary resume.

Could AD stay away if Los Angeles takes the NFC West from the Whiners as predicted for the first time since 2021?

“Sean McVay & Co. laid the foundation for a divisional run last year. With the 49ers reeling from a stinging overtime Super Bowl loss, the Rams can capitalize on a bit of vulnerability and ride their two-headed passing attack to a 12-win season and at least one win in the playoffs. The Rams believed last year and, I think, felt like they could do some serious damage if they’d gotten past the Lions in the wild-card round. Alas, this is a year for unfinished business and to show how quickly general manager Les Snead turned over a roster after going all in for Super Bowl LVI.”

Whether or not the perennial All-Pro returns for the Rams’ “unfinished business,” LA appears to be set to move forward in a post-AD world. Orr then predicted second-year defender Kobie Turner will finish with another nine-sack campaign:

“This isn’t just an Aaron Donald thing. Even without the greatest defensive tackle in NFL history at his side, Turner will get to the quarterback with regularity and post a second consecutive top-10 season at the position.”

Other predictions included Puka Nacua finishing with at least 1,800 receiving yards alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tyreek Hill and Kyren Williams leading the league in rushing. Orr projects Williams will finish with a statline of 1,323 yards with 11 scores on the ground. If last year’s breakout star can stay healthy (a big if), this is realistic. Remember, he finished third in rushing behind Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry despite missing five games, four due to injury.

What are your thoughts on these bold predictions Turf Show Ramily? Let me know in the comments!

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images