The Rams have been at the center of a whirlwind of activity in the early days of the 2024 offseason. The team has made a number of significant acquisitions. There have also been important departures. Not only has all-time-great Aaron Donald retired, but also a number of players have left via free agency.

With all the shake-ups, where does L.A. stand? Before Donald’s retirement, two prominent ESPN analysts (Jeremy Fowler and Field Yates) predicted the Rams would make it to Super Bowl LIX at the Superdome in New Orleans. Is that still a realistic possibility?
Let’s take a look at the team’s key acquisitions and departures, their current roster, and their prospects going forward.
Rams 2024 Free Agency Acquisitions To Date
Los Angeles has acquired some important pieces in areas of need for the 2024 season.
As reported here in GridIron Heroics, L.A. wrested four-year veteran TE Colby Parkinson away from the Seattle Seahawks. L.A. also signed Guard Jonah Jackson, after Jackson spent four years with the Detroit Lions. Additionally, Rams have brought CB Darious Williams back to Los Angeles. Williams spent two seasons as a starting CB for the Jacksonville Jaguars, after playing for L.A. from 2018 through 2021. And, the Rams have acquired rising star CB Karmen “Kam” Curl, who played four seasons with the Washington Commanders.
Here are the new faces:

Key Departures
Beyond the seismic departure of Donald, several players have already left via free agency and the waiver wire. Safety Jordan Fuller signed with the Carolina Panthers. Center Coleman Shelton signed with the Chicago Bears. Additionally, the Rams released veteran offensive lineman Brian Allen.
Rams Updated Depth Chart
With all of L.A.’s recent roster moves in the early days of this 2024 offseason, it’s helpful to look at where things stand now. Per ESPN, here’s the team’s current depth chart:
Offense
STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | |
QB | Matthew Stafford | Jimmy Garoppolo | Stetson Bennett | Dresser Winn |
RB | Kyren Williams | Ronnie Rivers | Zach Evans | |
WR | Cooper Kupp | Tutu Atwell | ||
WR | Puka Nacua | Ben Skowronek | ||
WR | Demarcus Robinson | Xavier Smith | ||
TE | Tyler Higbee | Colby Parkinson | Davis Allen | Hunter Long |
LT | Alaric Jackson | Joe Noteboom | AJ Arcuri | |
LG | Jonah Jackson | Mike McAllister | ||
C | Steve Avila | |||
RG | Kevin Dotson | |||
RT | Rob Havenstein | Joe Noteboom | Warren McClendon, Jr. | Logan Bruss |
Defense
STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | |
LDE | Desjuan Johnson | |||
NT | Kobie Turner | Cory Durden | ||
RDE | Bobby Brown III | |||
WLB | Byron Young | Nick Hampton | Ochaun Mathis | |
LILB | Ernest Jones IV | Olakunle Fatukasi | ||
RILB | Christian Rozeboom | Jake Hummel | ||
SLB | Michael Hoecht | Keir Thomas | Zach VanValkenburg | |
LCB | Derion Kendrick | Shaun Jolly | ||
SS | Karmen Curl | Russ Yeast | Jason Taylor II | |
FS | Quentin Lake | Tanner Ingle | ||
RCB | Darious Williams | Cobie Durant | Tre Tomlinson | Cam McCutcheon |
Special Teams
STARTER | 2ND | |
PK | Tanner Brown | |
P | Ethan Evans | |
H | Ethan Evans | |
PR | Puka Nacua | Kyren Williams |
KR | Kyren Williams | Ronnie Rivers |
LS | Alex Ward |
This is a formidable roster, particularly on the offensive side, now that Donald has left.
Notably, ESPN forecasts Kam Curl playing safety for the Rams, rather than cornerback, which is the position he played for the Commanders.
Also, a lingering question exists regarding the status of Ahkello Witherspoon. He is an unrestricted free agent, who was the “top cornerback” for the Rams in the 2023 season.
The Rams have had talks with S John Johnson III and CB Ahkello Witherspoon about potential 2024 roles, Les Snead said, but he expects both guys to hit the open market after playing on veteran minimum deals in 2023.
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) February 28, 2024
Prospects Going Forward
Turf Show Times asks the same question posed in this article: What are the Rams’ prospects in 2024 without Aaron Donald?
“Donald’s sudden absence leaves a massive void in the middle of the Los Angeles defense that has several promising young players but overall lacks star talent. It’s unfair to expect former third round picks Byron Young and Kobie Turner to step into the shoes of a first-ballot hall of famer and one of the greatest defensive players in the history of the NFL. LA has added some reinforcements to the defensive side of the ball so far into the 2024 offseason, but how much do CB Darious Williams and DB Kam Curl move the needle?
“Players like Donald, of course, don’t grow on trees and the opportunity to acquire such a player doesn’t come around very often. It’s clear that the Rams need to bring a defensive star into the fold, but the more difficult question to answer isn’t ‘if’ but ‘how’.”
Turf Show Time answers that question by suggesting the Rams acquire star power by making a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for Haason Reddick. The Eagles have given Reddick permission to seek a trade. Reddick is 29 years old. He is an edge rusher, and he made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023.
Noting that Philadelphia appears to have resolved to move on from Reddick, Turf Show Times makes a strong case for Los Angeles pursuing Reddick:
“With the Rams’ need for a star-level pass rusher, Reddick is the only legitimate option … available. The cost to acquire him also shouldn’t be too much. Only a bidding war between another team in need of an edge rusher would complicate that….
“Reddick is an elite player at a premium position…. [S]ince moving to edge rusher [full] time, he has double-digit sacks in every season. The only players with more sacks over that period are TJ Watt, Myles Garrett, and Trey Hendrickson. [Reddick] is a player [who] has shown that he can create pressure on his own.
Of course, the Rams may also seek to fill the void left by Donald with their full bevy of selections in the 2024 NFL Draft. And, one possibility in that regard is for the Rams to draft standout defensive Tackle Byron Murphy II.
According to Mel Kiper, Murphy “has highest pass-rush upside of any of the interior defensive linemen in this class.” Kiper rates him as the 24th best overall prospect in the draft and the best defensive tackle.
In a mock draft conducted by Draft Wire after Aaron Donald’s retirement, Murphy is selected by the Rams with the No. 19 pick. And, in the words of Draft Wire, “The retirement of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald makes this decision an easy one. Byron Murphy II is the top interior defender in this draft.”
The Rams are not going to be able to fill the shoes of Aaron Donald. But, if they can take a step in that direction — perhaps by trading for Reddick and/or drafting Murphy — they may be in pretty good shape for the 2024 season.