Three hottest seats on the Los Angeles Rams

After winning just five games in 2022, the Los Angeles Rams bounced back in 2023 by doubling their win total and returning to the playoffs. 

Matthew Stafford was mostly healthy. They had a great draft class with Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner making big impacts, and they still have a top-tier head coach in Sean McVay.

Things are still looking strong for the Rams, even with the retirement of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald this offseason. But they do have a few players in some big positions who might be in the hot seat.

Wide receiver Cooper Kupp

This might seem outrageous given how crucial Kupp has been to the Rams, including helping bring a Super Bowl to Los Angeles during the 2021 season, but the writing is on the wall.

The harsh reality, however, is that he will be 31 years old in June, has been limited to just 21 games over the past two years and is not quite as impactful as he was earlier in his career. His offensive output on a per-game basis was nearly cut in half this past season from where it was in 2022, and even that was a decline from his peak.

The Rams already have their new No. 1 wide receiver in Nacua, while they have a potential out in Kupp's contract after the 2024 season where releasing him would not completely sabotage their salary cap situation. If he struggles to stay on the field again this season and doesn't return to his previous production level, he could find himself on the outs. 

Cornerback Cobie Durant

The Rams' secondary was a major problem throughout the 2023 season and was limited in their capabilities. The Rams were 20th in the NFL against the pass, while their cornerbacks provided almost zero resistance or game-changing plays. 

Durant, a fourth-round pick in 2022, was a big part of those issues. 

After intercepting three passes as a rookie, he returned in 2023 and did not record a single interception while being credited with just six pass defenses. If the Rams' secondary does not improve dramatically in 2024, their ceiling will again be limited. Durant has to take a step forward. 

Cornerback Derion Kendrick

Durant is not the only young cornerback on the roster who needs to step up. 

Kendrick is in an almost identical situation, even if his 2023 performance was a little more productive (one interception, 10 passes defensed). The bottom line is that the Rams' secondary is the one clear Achilles heel on their roster. In the offseason, they already made one big addition by signing free agent Darious Williams from the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

They also own a first-round pick for the first time since 2016 and could have a chance to add even more to the position during the 2024 NFL Draft. That could put players like Durant and Kendrick on the hot seat for starting spots and potential roster spots.