Last season, the Los Angeles Rams stood one game from the Super Bowl. Falling short of the eventual champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game prompted the team to make offseason moves. With reigning MVP Matthew Stafford leading the offense, the Rams already possess a strong offense. However, a former NFL player believes that a current free agent would provide another dynamic option to the team.
Los Angeles Rams Encouraged to Sign Free Agent WR Stefon Diggs
Last season, the Rams won 12 games. Then, in the playoffs, they defeated division champions, the Carolina Panthers and the Chicago Bears, on consecutive weekends. Those victories led to an appearance in the NFC Championship game, in which they lost. Matt Bowen, who played for the Green Bay Packers before joining ESPN as an NFL analyst, believes that Stefon Diggs could be a key pickup.
“I really like him [Diggs] in L.A. alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams,” Bowen wrote. “The Rams attempted 430 passes out of 11 personnel last season (ninth most in the league), and Diggs is a natural separator who can line up inside or outside.”
In Nacua and Adams, the Rams already boast a strong duo. However, defenses usually employ two starting-caliber quality corners. Adding Diggs puts pressure on the defense. During his career, the 32-year-old has caught 70.1% of his targets, making him a reliable set of hands that can make a sure grab under tough conditions.
For example, with stops in the NFC North and AFC East, Diggs is accustomed to playing in inclement weather. On top of that, the Rams’ head coach loves a specific style in his route tree.
“Plus, he has the toughness to work the middle of the field on in-breaking concepts, a key element of coach Sean McVay’s offense,” Bowen added. “Diggs had 85 receptions last season for the Patriots, which was almost twice as many as their next-closest wide receiver (Mack Hollins with 46). He would provide an easy boost to the WR room for quarterback Matthew Stafford.”
Los Angeles could provide a fresh start for Diggs. This offseason, he was accused of two crimes, which he was ultimately acquitted of. Now, the Rams could give him another shot for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
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While the Rams won double-digit games without him last year, adding another talented wideout makes the team potentially dangerous. If the Rams held down the No. 1 spot in the PFSN NFL Offense Impact Rankings with two wideouts, Diggs could keep them at the same level and ease the load on Nacua and Adams in the playoffs.
Before the Rams aspire to chase a ring, they need to survive arguably the toughest division in the NFL, the NFC West. Over those four games against the Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles can place itself among the league’s best with victories.
