Teams evolve every year, some more drastically than others. The Los Angeles Rams now look quite different from their 2021 Super Bowl-winning squad, and their 2024 starting lineup will also feature several changes from last year.
The defense will see numerous new faces, many stepping into starting roles. Revamping the defense was a clear offseason priority, addressed through both free agency and the draft.
On offense, a couple of free-agent signings are poised to start immediately for Los Angeles.
Here are nine potential new starters for the Rams this year:
Jackson is set to be the Rams’ starting left guard after signing a $51 million deal in free agency, marking the team’s biggest offseason move. His addition will significantly enhance the Rams’ offensive line, giving them one of the best interior trios in the league.
**Michael Thomas, WR**
Michael Thomas’ prime may be behind him, but he started his career on a Hall of Fame trajectory and had a respectable 2023 season. Despite playing in only 10 games, Thomas recorded 39 receptions for 448 yards and one touchdown. While this production isn’t overwhelming, it’s notable considering the limited number of games.
If projected over a 17-game season, Thomas’ stats would equate to 66 receptions, 762 yards, and two touchdowns. This essentially represents his 2023 output for the New Orleans Saints. If the Rams were to acquire him, it wouldn’t be to fill a WR1 role but rather to add depth as a third or fourth option in the passing game, creating an additional challenge for opposing defenses.
Given that Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp will likely receive the majority of targets, having Thomas as a third or fourth option is advantageous. This move is a low-risk, high-reward proposition that could be beneficial for the Rams. For a relatively small financial investment, it’s an opportunity worth considering.
Lock: LG Jonah Jackson
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Jackson’s presence in Los Angeles is going to make a tremendous difference for the Rams, giving them one of the strongest interior trios of any team in the league. Jackson signed a $51 million deal in free agency, making him the organization’s biggest offseason acquisition.
Lock: CB Darious Williams
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The Rams didn’t spend any time getting Williams back after he was cut by the Jaguars, signing him to a three-year deal worth $22.5 million. He’ll jump right in at his old post as a starting outside cornerback for Los Angeles, a position he played incredibly effectively before leaving in 2022.
Lock: CB Tre’Davious White
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If White is well enough for Week 1, he will undoubtedly start. The Rams are hoping he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season, but training camp will give us a much clearer idea of his health and condition. In a revamped secondary, he will start opposite Williams at cornerback and add a plethora of experience to the Rams defense.
Lock: S Kamren Curl
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Curl wasn’t overpaid by the Rams in free agency, but they also didn’t pay him to be a bench warmer. Though he won’t be a regular safety, he is expected to start Week 1 as one of the starting safeties. He will also get chances to cover the slot and line up as a dime backer.
Lock: K Joshua Karty
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Karty will start the season as the kicker for the Rams unless he has a terrible training camp and preseason. After selecting him in the sixth round, they’ll give him every chance to earn that position, and his resume from Stanford indicates he’ll be a reliable presence on special teams.Karty will start the season as the kicker for the Rams unless he has a terrible training camp and preseason. After selecting him in the sixth round, they’ll give him every chance to earn that position, and his resume from Stanford indicates he’ll be a reliable presence on special teams.
Likely: TE Colby Parkinson
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Although Parkinson isn’t a lock to start for the Rams this season as their tight end, it is increasingly likely that he will be at the top of the depth chart come Week 1 considering Tyler Higbee’s protracted recovery from ruptured ACL and MCL.
Likely: DE Braden Fiske
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With Donald’s retirement, there is considerable competition in the defensive line room, and Fiske is a player who is expected to play a significant part this season. He can play both defensive end and 3-tech when Kobie Turner is at the nose of the defense, or he can fill in for Donald at the defensive end.
Likely: OLB Jared Verse
At outside linebacker, Verse, Byron Young, and Michael Hoecht are without a doubt the best three. Which two start and play the most snaps will determine the outcome. Verse, a first-round pick, ought to start on one side while Young plays on the other. It would be shocking if Verse wasn’t a Week 1 starter.
Potentially: S Kamren Kinchens
Technically, neither Yeast nor Quentin Lake can be a new starter because they both started the first half of the previous campaign and were the starting slot defender at the end. With either Yeast or Lake occupying the slot, Kinchens might be the starting safety next to Curl. Kinchens would remain in a supporting role if Yeast or Lake started beside Curl, preventing this from happening.