The Los Angeles Rams head into Week 2 following an overtime loss to the Detroit Lions. A game against the Arizona Cardinals could be exactly what this Rams team needs to get on track. The Cardinals have always seemed to be a “get right” game for Sean McVay and the Rams. This week will be no different. Here is this week’s stock up, stock down.
Stock Down: Injuries/Offensive Line
It’s early and Rams fans are already having flashbacks to 2022. It seems as if nearly every starter is dealing with some sort of injury. AJ Arcuri and Joe Noteboom each struggled at left tackle. Warren McClendon gave up five pressures on the right side. Coming into the season, the offensive line looked to be one of the Rams’ biggest strengths. However, with injuries, the Rams are currently relying on a lot of depth at nearly every position.
Right now, it doesn’t appear that it will get much better in the short-term. While Alaric Jackson will return after Week 2, Steve Avila is out for at least four weeks at center. At this point, the Rams need to find ways to just get through this less than ideal situation.
Stock Up: WR Cooper Kupp
To say Cooper Kupp is back would be an understatement. Kupp had 14 targets for 110 yards and looked like much of his old self. While there were plenty of reports that Kupp looked like his old self during training camp, you never really know until the games are played. To say Kupp stepped up in Nacua’s absence would be an understatement.
Over 20 targets won’t be sustainable while Kupp. He’s dealt with injuries much of the last two years. Giving him that type of workload at 31 years old is asking for another injury. That’s not to say that the Rams need to manage Kupp’s workload or anything, but they also need to be smart with him. Kupp is back, but at the same time, others need to get involved in the offense.
Stock Down: RB Blake Corum
Some of it may be due to game script. Part of it may be due to the injuries to the offensive line and trusting Kyren Williams in pass protection. However, the Rams spent a third-round pick on Blake Corum and he got zero touches against the Lions. When the Rams selected Corum, the idea was that he would help manage Williams’ workload. Still, Williams received 100 percent of the carries.
It will be interesting to see how the Rams manage the running backs moving forward. If the Rams don’t use Corum, there is a case to be made that the selection should have been used on another position. The Rams have two capable running backs and need to use them to help take pressure off of Matthew Stafford and the offensive line.
Stock Up: EDGE Jared Verse
The Rams rookie first round pick looked the part against the Lions. There is reason to believe that he will be an impact presence on the edge throughout the season. Verse had six pressures with a 26.1 percent pressure rate. It’s the fourth highest pressure rate in Week 1 by a rookie since 2018.
Verse needs to do better containing the edge, but that will come with time and experience. The most important thing is that the defense has a player that it can rely on to get to the quarterback when needed.
Stock Down: Linebackers
Troy Reeder and Christian Rozeboom showed that they were fine, but they also didn’t show that they are the answer. This is a group that’s going to be able to be exploited by opposing offenses, especially in the passing game and when running horizontally. Reeder allowed five catches on seven targets. Rozeboom was not much better.
This is going to be something that the Rams will be navigating throughout the year. At some point, Omar Speights or Jake Hummel may get a run. However, right now the Rams are relying on Reeder and Rozeboom.
