Los Angeles Rams 2023-24 Season Guidebook

While the summer season brings much enjoyment to the average person, for an NFL fan, it represents a desolate wasteland where Sundays just aren't quite as vibrant as in the autumn months.  However, with each passing day, we inch closer to the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, which officially kicks off on September 7 this year.

Whether you've had your favorite team's tweet notifications turned on all summer or if you've decided to tune out all football news entirely, you'll be able to learn everything you need to know about your team going into the 2023-24 season right here.
 
In today's article, I'll be discussing the Los Angeles Rams.

I wrote a guidebook for every team in the NFL heading into the 2023 season.  To check out an article for another team, click the link below:
https://www.bucketsquadsportsreports.com/nfl

2022 Season Recap

The Rams plummeted back to Earth in 2022 after their Super Bowl victory the season before.  They finished the year with a 5-12 record for 3rd place in the NFC West ahead of only the Cardinals.  They lost Matthew Stafford about half way through the season, prompting a trade for Baker Mayfield, one of four QBs to start a game for them in 2022.
 
As a result of the constant shuffling with the offensive lineup, the Rams’ offense was one of the worst in the NFL after finishing in the top 10 the season prior.  The defense wasn’t much better, but they were also stressed by lack of production offensively.  Both will need to be much better in 2023, which is possible with the offense back to full strength.
 
Significant Roster Moves

The Rams will miss out on quite a bit of production from last year’s defense, most notably via the absences of linebackers Leonard Floyd and Bobby Wagner and defensive backs Jalen Ramsey, Taylor Rapp, and Nick Scott.  Though they weren’t available for the entire season in 2022, Darrell Henderson, Baker Mayfield, and Allen Robinson will all be gone from the offense this upcoming season as well.  Both punter Riley Dixon and kicker Matt Gay have gone elsewhere in the offseason.
 
None of the guys listed on the left side above will be immediate starters, but should be serviceable backups in LA.
 
2023 Draft Class

Despite not having a 1st round pick, the Rams selected 14 times in the final six rounds of the 2023 draft.  Their first three picks, Steve Avila, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner, have all earned starting roles at their respective positions heading into the season, while the remainder will serve as backups.  Ethan Evans will take over punting duties in 2023.  
 
LA hopes they found a diamond in the rough with Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett in the 4th round.  Bennett slid down the draftboards due to his size and age but has impressed in his preseason appearance.  He should learn a lot in his rookie season behind fellow UGA alumni Matthew Stafford.
 
Season Schedule

The Rams will take on the NFC East and the AFC North in 2023 to go along with their six divisional games.  Their other three opponents are the Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, and New Orleans Saints.  With an opponent prior season win percentage of .533, Los Angeles has the 9th hardest schedule in the NFL.

LA’s primetime games include one Thursday night game versus New Orleans and one Monday night game at Cincinnati.
 
Depth Charts

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

The Rams return 12 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters from last year, though only 3 of the 11 starters on the defense will return.  Excluding their veteran quarterback and their anchor of the defense, Aaron Donald, the Rams will be a fairly young team in 2023, especially on defense.  They might find some success on the offensive side of the ball, but it’s yet to be seen how good the defense will be this year.
 
Coaching Staff

Sean McVay returns for his 7th season as head coach of the Rams, along with one coordinator from last season’s staff: Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris (3rd season).  The Rams hired Mike LaFleur and Chase Blackburn to serve as Offensive Coordinator and Defensive Coordinator, respectively, for the 2023 season.  LaFleur spent the last two seasons as OC of the Jets, while Blackburn spent one season as an assistant special teams coach for the Titans.
 
Betting Odds

Oddsmakers have set the regular season win total for Los Angeles at 6.5 games.  As of right now, the Rams are the 2nd least likely team to win the NFC West and the 3rd least likely team to win the NFC as a whole.  At +8000 to win Super Bowl LVIII, they are tied for 25th among all teams in the league.
 
Bucket Squad Predictions

Bucket Squad Sports Reports predicts the Rams to finish 6-11 in 2023 to finish 3rd in the NFC West.  At 12thin the conference, they’ll miss out on the playoffs again this year.

What do you think?  Will LA be better or worse than I'm projecting?  What offseason moves made by the Rams surprised you the most?  Leave a comment down below and be sure to check the "NFL" section of the website for more NFL team guidebooks as I finish them.

Written by Nick Swatson