Rams Wire@TheRamsWire
Matthew Stafford is among the best in the NFL at the boring passes, too.

***

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/07/05/matthew-stafford-quietly-beating-mahomes-and-others-in-routine-passes/90794125007/?taid=6a4a7f8e63792900018a44e2&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

New data suggests…that Stafford was also getting more out of the offense’s routine plays than almost anyone would expect.

Pro Football Focus’ Mark Chichester inspected an often overlooked quarterback stat: “zero-graded throws.” In PFF terms, these throws are neither blown assignments nor highlight-reel plays. They are, as Chichester describes, “unremarkable … simply a quarterback doing his job, making a play that an NFL quarterback would be expected to make.”

This exercise, therefore, is all about how a quarterback executes the offense that he’s placed in and how that offense produces in that design. That distinction matters because, historically, these plays haven’t been a strength for the league as a whole. Across nearly 221,500 PFF zero-graded attempts since 2006, only one season has produced a net-positive result leaguewide, with the average sitting at -0.060 expected points added (EPA) per attempt. In other words, doing exactly what’s asked has usually left offenses worse off, not better.

Nicole Rayne Hagley
I don’t get how straight hetero relationships work, like who’s the girl and who’s the other girl

zn wrote:

LAFB Network@LAFBNetwork
Myles Garrett has never played a full season with another EDGE who made the NFL Top 100.

Now he has Byron Young landing at No. 84

This clip is over 2 minutes long and it’s only NFCC/Super Bowl highlights.

Nothing will ever top what @CooperKupp did in 2021. https://t.co/YSGKcSFF0W pic.twitter.com/0ro15xKM7t

— Rams Bros. (@RamsBrothers) July 3, 2026

wv wrote:

Just curious. Who is Stafford’s closest ‘comp’ among active QBs in the NFL today.

IMHO the real difference between Stafford and Allen or Mahomes, is that whatever legs MS did have, are shot. He can move around in the backfield but he’s not a running threat. Beyond that he has the same arm the other 2 do, but he’s also a hair more accurate on a consistent basis. Mahomes, like Stafford, has a clutch gene.

I think Stafford is a slight percentage up from the other 2 when it comes to processing and recognition. The other 2 can go outside of structure when’s nothing’s there much more than Stafford does, but on the other hand Stafford excels at squeezing the last half inch of a play out of tight situations, so “nothing there” doesn’t quite mean the same thing for him.

I know that didn’t answer your question. But it would take a while to think of who is directly comparable. It’s like Stafford is a Brady with more arm and also less risk adverse.

…

from PFF Quarterback Rankings: All 32 starters ahead of the 2026 NFL season — https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-quarterback-rankings-all-32-starters-2026

[me: 1-4 are Allen, Burrow, Jackson, Mahomes]

…

Rank 5
—
Matthew Stafford
Los Angeles Rams · QB

If these rankings were based solely on 2025 output, Stafford would have a legitimate case for the No. 1 spot. His 91.7 PFF passing grade and 4.49 Wins Above Replacement both led the NFL, with the latter finishing more than a full win clear of second-place Dak Prescott (3.39). He also paced the league with a 7.7% big-time throw rate, a mark that also tied for the 15th-highest single-season mark ever recorded in the PFF era.

That said, the 2025 MVP enters 2026 in one of the NFL’s most favorable situations. Rams head coach Sean McVay remains one of football’s premier offensive minds, and the Rams’ dominant rushing attack consistently forces defenses to respect the run, creating favorable passing opportunities. Stafford has also had the luxury of throwing to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, giving him one of the league’s best wide receiver duos.

And then there is the interception variance. Stafford threw just nine interceptions in 2025 despite 21 turnover-worthy throws, with opposing defenders dropping nine potential interceptions (seven of them on genuine turnover-worthy throws). That wasn’t a one-year anomaly, either. His 2024 and 2025 campaigns rank as two of the three luckiest quarterback seasons on record, making it unlikely those breaks continue to fall his way in 2026.

His 2025 season was spectacular; there is no question. His grading profile is the product of elite quarterback play that he made look almost effortless at times, and he routinely produces throws that few other quarterbacks can. That said, the reasons above are enough just to push him outside of the top four.

One thought on Matthew Stafford and all 42 Rams offensive players

Nate Atkins

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7399940/2026/07/01/rams-roster-depth-chart-offense/?unlocked_article_code=1.ulA.3Lla.ldKLuYWM7m7y&source=emp_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share

The Los Angeles Rams are rolling back much of an offense that finished No. 1 in points scored and saw its quarterback win the Most Valuable Player award in 2025.

The Rams are ready to do all they can to fight off the regression that often comes with finishing No. 1 in anything. It will mean building on what they did so well last season but also diversifying their approach to fight off stagnation and prepare for the potential of worse injury luck.

They’ll also have a new coordinator helping design it in Nathan Scheelhaase, who replaces Mike LaFleur after a promotion from passing game coordinator. Former Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury is also here as an assistant head coach to have a steady voice in these plans.

As training camp approaches in less than a month, here is one thought on every offensive player on the Rams’ roster.

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford: The question is no longer about whether he’s elite, just how long he can keep it going. At age 38, fresh off his first MVP, a step back in production would only make sense. But Stafford is aging like fine wine, as long as the Rams can keep hits off of his ailing back. Expect another summer of management to reflect that understanding.

Ty Simpson: Development will be the buzzword all season long for the No. 13 pick. Simpson is competing with Stetson Bennett for a backup role that the Rams never underrated with Jimmy Garoppolo, but he has much to learn to improve his readiness after starting just one college season before transitioning to Sean McVay’s complex playbook. One encouraging sign: He said he plans to essentially live in the Rams’ facility during the five-week break between the offseason program and training camp, even though few if any veterans will be around.

Stetson Bennett: If Bennett wants a chance to stick as a No. 2 quarterback, this year is his best opportunity. He needs to capitalize on his experience in McVay’s system as his edge over a rookie.

Matthew Caldwell: College backups rarely get an NFL opportunity like this, even just for the offseason. Caldwell was Arch Manning’s backup at Texas, which is one of the most pro-style systems in the college game. If he can impress, he could earn a longer look on the practice squad as a potential future No. 3 option here.

Running backs

Kyren Williams: Williams isn’t the flashiest runner, but all he does is produce consistently. He did so again with 1,252 rushing yards and 10 scores last season. I still think there’s more to tap into here as a receiver, and the Rams should transfer more of his touches to that department with Blake Corum’s emergence as a second rushing option.

Blake Corum: Corum’s growth was mighty impressive last season, as he went from 207 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 3.6 yards per carry as a rookie to 746 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 5.1 yards per carry last season. He’s found a great feel for the run game, and another step as a receiver and pass protector could pull him close to a 50-50 split with Williams.

Jarquez Hunter: The Rams drafted Hunter in the fourth round in 2025 to prepare for any time missed by Williams or Corum, and both managed to play every game. He’s in a similar spot this season unless he can show enough growth to be an option on special teams (where he played only 22 snaps as a rookie).

Ronnie Rivers: Rivers has the special teams background, which gives him a legitimate chance to crack this roster again. It’s also worth noting that, on tiny samples, he has increased his yards per carry each season from 2.3 to 4.0 to 4.5 to 5.1.

Jordan Waters: He’s back for a second look this summer after he signed as an undrafted free agent a year ago, got cut, went to the United Football League and signed back on a futures deal this spring. At 6 feet and 225 pounds, he’s a power back type.

Dean Connors: Connors should be a fun undrafted free agent to watch this summer for his receiving ability alone. He had 1,166 receiving yards at Houston and could be interesting in the screen game. Could he show something as a kick returner, too?

Wide receivers

Puka Nacua: Nobody on this team is facing a bigger season for the long-term than Nacua, who led the NFL last season with 129 receptions but will have to show growth after a trip to holistic care this offseason to earn the kind of contract his play and position justify. On the field, the only question is whether he can withstand the brutality of his playing style and high volume to continue to be the No. 1 option the Rams need.

Davante Adams: This could be Adams’ last crack at reaching the Super Bowl as a top option on a team. He turns 34 in December, and he’s now 0-5 in the NFC Championship Game. But the Rams doubled down on him by passing on a trade for A.J. Brown, because of his lethal play in the red zone and his ability to coach up younger receivers, of which the Rams have many vying for their No. 3 role.

CJ Daniels: The Rams liked Daniels enough to treat him as their lone receiver addition this offseason after trading up for him in the sixth round. Given his college experience and the Miami program he came from, blocking could be his best route to early playing time, but he has some contested-catch ability, too.

Jordan Whittington: Whittington’s play on special teams and as a blocker will continue to keep him active. He’ll see more targets if he can get back to the efficiency of his rookie season, when he posted 10.5 yards per target before that number dropped to 6.8 despite lower volume last season.

Xavier Smith: The Rams showed him a signal of faith in not adding much competition for his punt return job after the muffed punt in the NFC Championship Game. This is his time to reward that faith, in addition to earning some snaps as a gadget wide receiver with an active spot on game days.

Konata Mumpfield: The Rams like the potential of last year’s seventh-round pick as a developmental outside receiver, and he’s gotten close with Adams. He could be the primary backup on the perimeter if either Adams or Nacua misses time.

Tru Edwards: Did you know that Edwards is the son of former first-round wide receiver Troy Edwards, who played for the Rams in 2002?

Brennan Presley: Presley has return experience with 61 kick returns and 51 punt returns at Oklahoma State, but he’ll have to really flash in the summer to get a true look at that role.

Tyler Scott: Scott was a fourth-round pick by Chicago in 2023 after a big season at Cincinnati, when he caught 54 passes for 899 yards and nine touchdowns, but he’s bounced around practice squads since.

Mario Williams: He’s a slot by nature, but he did have a nice final season at Tulane in 2024, when he caught 60 passes for 1,031 yards and six touchdowns.

Tight ends

Tyler Higbee: Despite becoming a healthy scratch in the playoffs last season, Higbee returned to the Rams on a two-year deal this offseason. That signals he might never have gotten fully healthy last season, and that Stafford values his long-term safety valve in a room that is still rather light on total experience.

Terrance Ferguson: I listed him as my top breakout option for the Rams this season, and if you’ve noticed, they’ve cleared the path for that by their lack of moves at the third wide receiver spot. That’s because Ferguson essentially took that role over in a 13-personnel world last season, when he averaged more than 21 yards per catch on 11 receptions.

Colby Parkinson: Parkinson’s ability to offset some brutal drops with acrobatic contested catches is pretty fascinating to watch. After an eight-touchdown season, he’ll continue to be a focal point on third downs and in the red zone in this three-tight end offense.

Davis Allen: Allen showed enough promise last year in the red zone, with three touchdowns, to intrigue as a re-sign candidate after this year, when Parkinson will also be a free agent. He might be the best blocker the Rams have at the position.

Max Klare: I think the Rams selected Klare in the second round this year to get ahead of the learning curve that would come next year if they drafted to replace up to three tight ends then. In the meantime, I think we’ll see him on some yards-after-catch designs and wrinkles this season.

Mark Redman: If the Rams have multiple injuries at tight end this season, perhaps Redman can see a call-up after spending last year on the practice squad. He has a big catch radius at 6-6.

Dan Villari: Villari moved from quarterback to tight end at Syracuse and spent three seasons developing there in college. His breakout came back in 2023, so it’ll be interesting to see if the Rams can tap back into that now with an undrafted rookie.

Rohan Jones: Did you know Jones was the No. 8 pick in the Canadian Football League draft in April?

Offensive line

Alaric Jackson: Jackson is the single biggest question mark on this roster following his June arrest on suspicion of domestic violence, which could trigger a second suspension under the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. He’ll be granted due process with the legal system, but it’s time for him to show the Rams he can be a left tackle to believe in for the future, with every other offensive line starter entering a contract year.

Steve Avila: Avila has made it clear he wants to stay with the Rams on his next contract, and he’ll be battling with fellow guard Kevin Dotson to earn an extension. The talent is not in question, but Avila does need to get off to a stronger start than he did last season, when he missed two games and was a backup for two more as he had to work back into the right playing shape.

Coleman Shelton: His chemistry with Stafford on pre-snap audibles and protection adjustments has become his superpower. If Shelton can maintain his play at age 31 this season, he could be a nice fit for a new contract that benefits the player and the team with so much to juggle regarding the future of this group.

Kevin Dotson: Pound for pound, he’s the Rams’ best offensive lineman. Dotson is such a key to their run game with the way he helps both Shelton and Warren McClendon Jr. If he can turn in a healthy season, he’ll almost beg Los Angeles to bring him back rather than accept clear regression to such a critical part of the team.

Warren McClendon Jr.: Outside of Nacua, no player has more to gain financially from this season than McClendon. If he can repeat what he did last season — like allowing a sack on just 0.5 percent of passing plays — on a larger sample size, he’ll be in line to join the more than 20 tackles in the NFL making more than $20 million per season.

Keagan Trost: The third-round rookie out of Missouri suddenly looks more important than ever with Jackson’s situation, not to mention how many future questions are up front. The wonder is: Will he get to show enough at any one position this year to earn a starting spot next year, when at least one should come available?

David Quessenberry: The Rams re-signed Quessenberry as their swing tackle this season, which was a curious shift after they did not call on him when either of their tackles got hurt a season ago. He could become very important if Jackson ends up missing time, and he does have 30 career starts, but the last one came in 2023, and he turns 36 in August.

Justin Dedich: Dedich did an admirable job filling in for Avila and Dotson last season, and he might be in a position to replace one of them as a starter next season if the Rams look to a lower-cost version of keeping this offensive line somewhat together.

AJ Arcuri: I actually covered Arcuri’s final college season at Michigan State in 2021, when he paved the way for a Kenneth Walker III breakout and jumped onto NFL radars. At 6-7 and 312 pounds, he has a frame to work with on the practice squad.

Austin Blaske: Blaske spent six seasons in college before signing with the Rams as an undrafted rookie this spring. Four of those came at Georgia, which is a good offensive line pipeline to tap into.

Wyatt Bowles: Bowles allowed just one sack in his final season at Utah State in 2024.

Bryce Henderson: Henderson signed as an undrafted free agent this spring and has a massive frame at 6-8 and 325 pounds. The Rams love looking for diamonds in the rough at tackle, and he fits that kind of search.

Beaux Limmer: Limmer didn’t look quite game-ready when he had to step in after a pair of injuries at guard early last season, but he could get another chance this season as the fourth or fifth guard option.

Dylan McMahon: The Eagles once drafted McMahon as an undersized center to learn and develop after the retirement of Jason Kelce. It obviously didn’t stick, but that interest alone is enough for a look from someone else.

wv wrote:

Zooey wrote:

In football, there are many more ways for things to go wrong than there are for them to go right.

That’s why you always pick up the ball first, even if the whistle is blown.

Are you saying football is dystopian? Or post-apocalyptic?

w
v

The corporate side is dystopian. Rollerball (1975)

Injuries are post-apocalyptic. Road Warrior (1982)

Kyren Williams lands at No. 89 on NFL Top 100 Players of 2026

@rams_reaper 🤣😂🤔🤣😂 pic.twitter.com/DOXHf69zdh

— @speed_kills (@speedk1lls) June 29, 2026

One of the most consistent RBs in the league 😮‍💨#NFLTop100 | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/ewSxiagMev

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) June 29, 2026

💻 @FitzMagic_14

What should expectations be for #RamsHouse this season? Is it really Super Bowl or bust?#NFL @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/5XdskUHODg

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) July 1, 2026

***

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/07/01/rams-ryan-fitzpatrick-super-bowl-favorites-preseason/90773313007/?taid=6a45c6417177c90001d8d52a&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

Ryan Fitzpatrick was on the “Rich Eisen Show” Wednesday and he thinks it’ll be “very hard” for the Rams to go wire-to-wire as pre-season favorites to Super Bowl champions.

“The NFL is awesome. It’s so much different than the NBA and the superteams because it is so much about the team,” he said. “Yeah, it’s about the health, but it’s about guys playing together. It’s about the schemes and the coaches, so I think it’s very hard to be the favorite in pre-season and take that all the way through the season.”

Fitzpatrick still likes the Rams, but he admits there are questions about their special teams, which was their Achilles’ heel last season.

“We still have to remember I know they made their improvements, but Seattle won the whole thing last year so yes, I think they should be the favorites,” he added. “Does that mean they’re going to win the whole thing? I think that’s a very, very difficult thing to do because it isn’t just five guys out there passing the ball around and shooting threes. This a whole team. Special teams we saw last year was the downfall for them, so how do they improve their special teams? It’s a team game and it’s a very tough thing to do going wire-to-wire.”

On paper, there’s no question the Rams are the best team in the NFL, but games are played on grass (or, mostly turf), not on paper. And the Rams have a 38-year-old quarterback who dealt with back problems last year, which has Fitzpatrick a little bit concerned, too.

“That’s a huge deal. Can Matthew, now a year older, continue to play at the level he’s played at? I think so, but can he stay healthy?” Fitzpatrick asked, before saying the Rams “obviously have no shot” if he gets hurt.

Zooey wrote:

I don’t know who Dan Towler is. Never heard of him.

Where is SJ39?

It’s a weird list. Dickerson is too low, Jackson as you point out is absent. So is McCutcheon.

Towlwer is from the 50s. He doesn’t stand out to me:
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TowlDa00.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Towler

Rams Wire@TheRamsWire
Woman drops request for restraining order against Alaric Jackson

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/06/30/rams-grade-out-as-a-top-5-unit-at-every-position-per-nfl-analyst/90760979007/?taid=6a4443bc63792900018a170e&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

Heading into 2026, the Los Angeles Rams are regarded as one of the most complete rosters in the NFL. That sentiment was echoed by NFL analyst Warren Sharp, who ranked Los Angeles in the top five at every single position he graded ahead of the season.

The Rams finished fifth at receivers/tight ends, fifth in offensive line, fifth at quarterback, fourth at secondary and third at defensive front seven. No other team in the league can claim that level of consistency across the board.

***

Links to Sharp on

WRs/TEs: https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/analysis/best-nfl-wide-receiver-tight-end-rankings/
the OL: https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/analysis/best-nfl-offensive-line-rankings/
QB: https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/analysis/best-nfl-quarterbacks-rankings/
Secondary: https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/analysis/best-nfl-secondary-rankings/
Front 7: https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/analysis/best-nfl-front-seven-rankings/

…

from All-PFF Team: Ranking the best NFL players at every position over the last 20 years: https://www.pff.com/news/all-pff-team-ranking-the-best-nfl-players-at-every-position-over-the-last-20-years

WR
First Team: Julio Jones
First Team: Antonio Brown
First Team Slot: DeAndre Hopkins
Second Team: Davante Adams
Second Team: Calvin Johnson
Second Team Slot: Tyreek Hill

DL
First Team: Aaron Donald
First Team: J.J. Watt
Second Team: Cameron Heyward
Second Team: Chris Jones

EDGE
First Team: Myles Garrett
First Team: Khalil Mack
Second Team: Von Miller
Second Team: T.J. Watt

.@RamsNFL @AaronDonald97 @Flash_Garrett can you imagine if #AD99 returns to terrorize the league with Superman? #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/nqA0Pyxaot

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) June 30, 2026