Quarterback:
1 – Sam Bradford
The #1 pick in the 2010 draft faced durability concerns after missing most of his final year in college. Bradford put those concerns to rest in his rookie season, playing 100% of snaps on the way to being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. His 60% completion percentage and 18:15 TD/INT ratio was very respectable in his first season as a starter for a rebuilding franchise. Bradford’s 3,521 yards was the 12th highest figure in the league, but more telling was his pass distribution. Bradford only targeted players 20 yards+ downfield on only 8% of passes (34th of 34 qualifying QBs, min. of 150 attempts), while 54% of passes were between 0-9 yards (3/34). His 21.8 PFF grade was 20th best last season, and the 2nd best rookie QB season in the past 3 years. The addition of Josh McDaniels to the Rams coaching staff is a double-edged sword as he will give Bradford more chances to spread the ball around, but it will mean Bradford needs to learn a new offense, during a lockout.
2 – AJ Feeley
Beaten out in training camp for the starters job by Bradford, he didn’t see the field last year. In fact he has only played in 5 games, throwing less than 100 passes, since the 2004/05 season. He’s a capable veteran back-up that can fill in, but no more.
3 – Thad Lewis
Reserve/Future Contract
Running Back:
1 – Steven Jackson
The years of carrying the Rams though tough times are catching up with Jackson, who ranked 50/58 with a -4.1 grade last season. He led the league in snaps (908) and was 9th in rushing yards (1,242), but only managed 3.8 yards per carry, which ranked 41st of 58. He also featured in bottom 10 in the PFF RB Elusive Rankings with a 20.7 rating. Jackson does offer an outlet in the passing game as he caught 46 passes (78%) for 374 yards. He has had problems finding the endzone in the past two season with just 6 last year and only 4 in 2009. It will be interesting to see how he fits in McDaniels offense.
2 – Keith Toston
Toston saw 40 snaps last year, carrying the ball 19 times in 4 games for 54 yards (2.8 ypc), the majority coming when Steven Jackson left the Redskins game in week 3. He is only used to back-up Jackson, but even that role looks in jeopardy with the Rams looking at change of pace RBs in this year’s draft.
3 – Chauncey Washington – Reserve/Future Contract
He has only 4 career carries, back in 2008/9 whilst playing for Jacksonville. He is a special-teamer who will be fighting for a roster spot in training camp.
Fullback:
1 – Brit Miller
A linebacker in college, Miller was undrafted in 2009 before eventually signing for the Panthers. He was later waived and picked up by the 49ers, who converted him to fullback, who then waived him as well. He was added to the Rams practice squad in 2010.
Wide Receiver:
1 – Mark Clayton – Unrestricted Free Agent
The Rams traded for Clayton following the pre-season injury to Donnie Avery that saw him placed on IR. He was on the field for 4 games before suffering his own knee injury after three snaps in week 5 that ruled him out for the year. In that time he showed chemistry with Bradford, catching 60.5% of passes, 2 TDs and seeing double-figure targets in 2 games, although he only graded -1.6. After seeing McDaniels effect on Randy Moss and Brandon Lloyd he'll hope to surpass his career best of 939 yards.
2 – Danario Alexander
Alexander was a highly touted, but undrafted rookie out of Missouri following a 5th knee surgery before the season started. He was signed by the Rams, then cut, before being re-signed when Clayton was injured in week 5. Alexander saw the field for 8 games, including the final 6, charting 215 snaps (39.2%) and caught 20 passes (60.6%) for 306 yards, including a memorable 38yd touchdown in his first career start. At 6-5, 221lbs he offers a unique threat compared to the other Rams receivers.
3 – Danny Amendola
A small but scrappy slot-receiver with kick-return ability, Amendola served as a safety net for his rookie QB in 2010, catching 19% of passes behind the line of scrimmage (3rd of 124 qualifying receivers, min. 45 targets). He also ranked 122nd for passes 10-19 yard downfield with only 13%, an indication of his check-down role. His +2.5 grading (36/110) was the result of consistent performances all year, not being graded below -0.9 all season for a single game. He recorded 85 catches (74.6%), 689 yards and 3 TDs, which were all career highs.
4 – Donnie Avery
The first wideout taken in the 2008 draft has suffered a couple of knee injuries, including one last year that cost him the entire season. Known for being a speedy deep threat, he needs to show he still has the ability to create separation in the pro game. He has 8 career TDs and a season high of 674 yards as a rookie, but regressed in 2009/10 when he graded -7.9 (down from +2.0)
5 – Brandon Gibson
Signed in a trade from the Eagles in 2009/10, Gibson saw 78% of snaps last season as his fellow receivers succumbed to injury. He improved as the season went on, grading -6.7 through weeks 1-11, but +0.3 for the final 6 weeks. 53 catches (61.6%) for 620 yards and 2 TDs were a solid return and as far as #5 receivers go, he’s pretty good.
6 – Mardy Gilyard
Gilyard struggled to make an impact despite opportunities last season for two reasons; his late graduation affected his ability to learn the offense in the pre-season, and a wrist injury, operated on this off-season, nagged him all year. He caught 15 passes (40%) for 63 yards and saw the field on 181 snaps, as well as returning several kick-offs, accumulating a -1.8 grade for the season.
7 – Dominique Curry
A special team player who tore his right ACL in week 3 and was placed on IR. He will struggle to make the roster in 2011.
8 – Joe West – Reserve/Future Contract
9 – Greg Mathews – Reserve/Future Contract
10 – Andrew Hawkins – Reserve/Future Contract
Tight End:
1 – Michael Hoomanawanui
The rookie was another Rams player who suffered with injuries last season. He only saw the field for 147 snaps (run blocking on 54) and caught 13 passes (61.9%). Although those catches only went for 146 yards they included 3 TDs. He has the potential to be a reliable option in the new-look Ram offense under Josh McDaniels, as shown by his +1.4 grade.
2 – Daniel Fells – Unrestricted Free Agent
Fells was the only Rams TE to play all 16 games last season, appearing for 676 snaps. Of his 46 catches (73.2%), he wasn’t targeted a single time deeper than 20 yards downfield, but did catch 2 TDs and totalled 391 yards. His -11.1 grade ranks 55th of 63 TEs playing over 25% of snaps.
3 – Fendi Onobun
A former basketball player who is a project at the pro level. Onobun only played 20 snaps in 2010, catching 2 passes (50%) before being placed on IR in November with a back injury.
4 – Billy Bajema
Bajema is primarily a blocking TE. He played 405 snaps last year due to the injury issues with the other Rams TEs. He caught 14 passes (73.7%) for 154 yards and 2 TDs, but graded at -15.1, 60th of 63.
Kicker:
1 – Josh Brown
Brown was our #2 rated kicker in 2010 (+13.9). He made 32-38 (84.2%) of his field goal attempted, including 2-3 50+ yarders. He did however have a 21 yard field goal attempt blocked in week 3 against the Redskins.
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