The Rams have every reason to feel good about where they’re headed, and Myles Garrett just gave that outlook another jolt.
Los Angeles is coming off a run that fell just short of a championship, but the roster now carries the kind of top-end talent that keeps Super Bowl talk alive. Matthew Stafford remains the reigning MVP at quarterback, and Ty Simpson gives the team a future option at the position. Add in talent all over the roster, and the Rams look built to make noise again.
Garrett only pushes that ceiling higher. His arrival gives the defense another true difference-maker, and Bleacher Report’s latest ranking drives home just how rare he is.
In its list of the 1,000 best players in the NFL heading into the new season, Garrett checked in at No. 1.
Bleacher Report said Garrett "still needs 75 sacks to supplant Bruce Smith on the all-time list," but his "ability to win in a multitude of ways (speed, power, line games, etc.) and from several alignments should help him eventually reach that historic milestone."
The praise didn’t stop there. The outlet also pointed to his value against the run, writing that the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year "also offers tremendous value as a run defender, collecting 10 tackles for loss on top of last season's 23 sacks. He has plenty of strength to set the edge and can win with finesse/athleticism or working around blocks to be a complete, elite all-around defensive end."
In Other News...
Sean McVays Message After Jared Verse Trade Says A Lot About Rams
The Rams spent the day reshaping their defense in a major way, landing All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs and adding Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in a move that sent defensive end Jared Verse out of town. For a team that has been looking to fortify that side of the ball heading into the new season, it was the kind of transaction that instantly changed the tone around the building.
McDuffie offered a glimpse of how the locker room handled the news, and Sean McVays message after the deal suggested the Rams were trying to keep the focus on the bigger picture. Verses departure obviously carried some weight inside the room, but the way the team responded showed a roster that understands just how aggressive Los Angeles is being about winning now. [Read more 🡒]
Myles Garrett Just Eased A Big Rams Concern At Camp
Myles Garrett was back in the mix at Rams training camp, a welcome sight for a defense that can ill afford to spend August worrying about one of its top pieces. The team had been cautious with his health, taking the long view on his recovery so he can be ready when the regular season arrives, and his return brought a little more stability to a camp that had briefly been shaped by concern.
Garrett had been held out of the last four-practice block before getting back into team drills at the start of practice. For the Rams, that turn matters less as a headline than as a reminder of how important it is to keep the defensive front on schedule, especially with camp designed to balance competition and preservation at this stage of the summer. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Rookies Are Already Fighting For Bigger Roles In Camp
The Rams have finished the second of three practice blocks in training camp, and the early rookie work has already given the coaches something to sort through. With padded practices now in the mix, first-year players like quarterback Ty Simpson and receiver CJ Daniels have started to stand out, and Daniels in particular has drawn attention for the steady hands and reliable catches that can earn a young player more looks.
Keenan, Max Klare and Trost have had more limited reported activity so far, but that figures to change once the preseason opens up and the reps become easier to distribute. For a team always looking for cheap depth and unexpected contributors, the next stretch of camp should tell a lot about which rookies are ready to push for bigger roles and which ones still need time to catch up. [Read more 🡒]