The Los Angeles Rams are entering the final stretch of the 2024 season. With just three games left to play, they are first in the NFC West at 8-6. They are a team that nobody will want to play once the playoffs begin. However, the job is not finished and they still need to take care of business against the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. It’s more important than ever that the Rams are playing their best football right now. Let’s take a look at the Rams stock report as we head into the final stretch.
Stock Up: iOL Kevin Dotson
Don’t look now, but the Kevin Dotson from a year ago has entered the chat. Last season, Dotson was one of the better run-blocking guards in the NFL. Due to the injuries on the offensive line, it was difficult for anybody in that group to have any sort of consistency. As that group has gotten healthier, they’ve started to play better and that has especially been the case with Dotson.
Over the past four weeks, Dotson has been one of the best run-blocking guards in the NFL. In fact, he has the second-best run-blocking grade via PFF since Week 12. During that timeframe, Dotson has been the best guard in the NFL. The Rams rank third in power success and 10th in adjusted line yards. The interior is starting to dominate at the line of scrimmage and a lot of that is because of Dotson.
Stock Down: EDGE Jared Verse
Through the first 10 weeks of the season, Jared Verse had a win-rate of 21.1 percent when rushing the passer. That has been down to 17.6 percent over the last four weeks. The Rams rookie hasn’t had a sack since Week 10.
Nobody needed the mini-bye now more than Verse. If he was running into a rookie wall, it will allow him to reset. In the case that he was managing an ankle injury, that will have had time to heal. For the Rams to have success late in the season, they need Verse to step up.
Stock Up: Rams run defense
The Rams run defense has had some forgettable moments this season to say the least. They allowed 122 yards to James Conner back in Week 2 and Saquon Barkley rushed for 255 yards less than a month ago. However, for the most part, this has been a defense that has not allowed a lot of room in the run game. That was evident last week against the 49ers. That was a game in the elements and the 49ers couldn’t find a lot of room to run.
Over the last two weeks, the Rams defense has completely shut down opposing running backs. They’ve allowed 2.81 yards per carry which is fourth-best in the NFL. Players like Kobie Turner, Tyler Davis, and Bobby Brown III have stepped up as run defenders down the stretch with Omar Speights and Christian Rozeboom playing well behind them.
Stock Down: WR Cooper Kupp
For the first time since 2019, Cooper Kupp was held without a reception. Between the early season injury and clear lack of explosiveness, there will be conversations this offseason on what to do with Kupp’s contract. That doesn’t necessarily mean cutting him, but it’s hard to justify him playing on his current deal.
Coming off of a catch-less game against a division rival is not how you want to enter the final three weeks of the season. It should be expected for Kupp to continue being Matthew Stafford’s security blanket and be someone that can be relied on in games. At the same time, he’s clearly lost a step.
Stock Up: S Kam Kinchens
In the middle of the season, Kam Kinchens was benched for two weeks. Once he re-entered the lineup, he’s been a playmaker that the Rams have lacked in the secondary. He’s played 50 percent or more of the team’s defensive snaps in six out of the last seven games.
Since Week 8, Kinchens is the eighth-highest graded safety in coverage via PFF. He has three interceptions during that timeframe. More impressive, since Week 12, he is the third-highest graded safety via PFF and has the eighth most pass breakups. Kinchens still has moments when he takes a bad angle, but this is another rookie that has performed well down the stretch.