Three seasoned LA Rams are expected to play their best of their careers in 2024.
The LA Rams squad of 2024 is full of young players full of enthusiasm and energy, but this does not mean that this team does not have a core of seasoned veterans. After all, 54 players are either returning from the team in 2024 or were signed during the 2024 NFL Free Agency market, despite the fact that 10 players were drafted and 16 new rookies were signed without being drafted.
Which veteran, whether returning or just signed, will present their career in the greatest light is the topic at hand. Naturally, it is hoped that every player will perform at an even higher level. Don’t get too greedy, though. After all, the Rams did receive outstanding play from NT Kobie Turner, OLB Byron Young, and rookie wide out Puka Nacua.
Well, we have three veterans who are ideally positioned to put up career high numbers. They are:
III: LT Alaric Jackson
Though I may have mentioned veteran left tackle Alaric Jackson of the Los Angeles Rams previously, it bears repeating. For a cheap $4.89 million, the team gave Jackson a one-year extension. Jackson is an NFL blind-side tackle starter. Thus, he can’t be all that good, is he? On the opposite. Due to his excellent play, the LA Rams decided to extend him until 2024. Jackson played 968 offensive snaps, gave up just one quarterback sack, and was flagged three times, according to Pro Football Focus. So what practical way can he do better than that?
In 2023, Jackson had a slight injury that kept him out of two games. Thus, making more team starts would be a career high.
But in all actuality, Jackson started that season with the knowledge that he had merited the starting position at left tackle. He knows he is the starter when he returns in 2024. Additionally, all of the experience he gained in 2023 will guide his training, inspire his exercises, and provide a strong base for the upcoming year. I was thrilled to see Jackson develop and get better throughout 2023, and I want to see much more of the same in 2024.
II: ILB Ernest Jones
Despite having youth at several places, the LA Rams defense has experience. Last season, veteran inside linebacker Ernest Jones IV’s bravery and self-assurance got the squad through some tough moments. He was so injured that he missed two games. What can we anticipate from Jones’s 2024 NFL season, if he stays healthy?
An incredible season.
Ernest Jones provided the snarl, grit, and tough-tackling mentality that propelled this defense to surround experienced All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald with competent play, even though Donald was the star of the show. The players on this defense had to care, Donald insisted.
That’s what Ernest Jones made sure they did. Jones averaged 9.67 tackles per game over the course of 15 games, totaling 145 tackles. In addition, he recorded 4.5 quarterback sacks, which is among the best stats for an inside linebacker in the NFL. In addition, he recorded 14 quarterback pressures, broke up six passes, made 14 tackles for a loss, and only allowed 70.8 percent of passes over the middle to reach their target.
However, he’s just warming up.
Jones amassed 165 tackles and more than five quarterback sacks in 2023 at a furious clip, and I predict that he will surpass both totals this year. Jones will be responsible for producing defensive stops in Donald’s absence, and he is prepared. He was selected to be THAT GUY, and he had the wonderful chance to play with and pick up knowledge from All-Pro ILB Bobby Wagner.
Ernest Jones is the player most equipped to perform, and he also bears the greatest pressure on this defense. He has shown tremendous growth each season. In 2024, his numbers could approach 180 tackles, 6.0 quarterback sacks, and two interceptions. He is not only the leader of this defense. In 2024, he is the heart and soul of this defense as well.
I: WR Demarcus Robinson
It was clear that the coaching staff of the Los Angeles Rams was unaware of the seasoned wide receiver Demarcus Robinson’s potential impact on this offense right away. Additionally, the coaching staff never gave Robinson a chance until after the Week 10 BYE due to the concerns of having to construct a competitive offensive attack without injured veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
But the same coaching staff found it impossible to take Robinson off the football field once he got there.
Robinson, who will turn 30 this year, is starting his ninth NFL season. This season has a great chance to produce career-high numbers for a variety of reasons. However, his unique fit in this offense is the most evident cause of his performance surge.
Robinson came very close to reaching career-high marks in this offense throughout his four starts and few appearances. Fortunately, the Rams coaching staff took notice of him and invited him back to fully participate in this scheme for the duration of the 2024 NFL season.
For the record, despite playing little, Robinson was the Rams’ highest productive wide receiver in 2024. Last season, he had the best catch percentage (66.7%) in the receiver room. He caught 26 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns out of 39 targets. That equates to a score for every 10 passes, a grab for 14.3 yards, and a target for 9.5 yards.
Could you picture Robinson lined up and producing yards for the entire season? In 2024, he might very well deliver 800+ yards and 8+ touchdowns, even though a 1000+ yard season seems doubtful. These kinds of results would definitely put this squad in the running for a top NFL Playoff seed.
Threeveterans, all of whom are perfectly positioned for career high numbers, are set to start or hold key rotational roles for 2024. Based on what they’ve all done in 2023, this outta be good.
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