Matt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns, and spent the last 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of "The Football Today Podcast."
Jeff Fisher is out in Los Angeles, but with a strong young talent base in place, leading the Rams should be a rather attractive job for prospective head coaches.
Let's take a look at three areas the new bench boss will need to address if the team's going to become a playoff contender in the near future.
Developing Goff
The most pivotal player in this organization is Jared Goff, who the Rams selected with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Acquiring Goff wasn’t cheap, though, and has left Los Angeles with a dearth of draft capital, including being without a first-round pick in the next draft. That's a massive problem when it comes to reinforcing this roster.
The most crucial decision here is the new head coach. The Rams either need to hire a quarterback whisperer who has a history of developing passers at this level, or, maybe even better, they need to hire someone who can change the culture; someone who sees the big picture, and will bring in that quarterback whisperer.
Finding the proper guide for their young QB is crucial.
Locking up free agents
While the Rams lack a first-round pick, it appears they'll have quite a bit of cap space.
When it comes to their free agents to be, Los Angeles should first look to lock up cornerback Trumaine Johnson, who's playing under the Franchise Tag.
Next, the team's top wide receiver, Kenny Britt, who is still only 28 years old, can't be allowed to leave. Few seem to realize how well Britt has played this year.
The Rams would also be wise to bring back safety T.J. McDonald and backup quarterback Case Keenum - neither of whom will break the bank.
Upgrading the O-line
Who knows who will be making the decisions for Los Angeles, but regardless, one roster goal should trump all else. The offensive line must (must!) get back to respectability.
Todd Gurley, despite his immense abilities, has been neutered due to a lack of blocking. Without having Gurley to lean on, Goff and this offense will be doomed. Not to mention the Rams' pass protection must be greatly improved for Goff to progress and reach his full potential.
Sure, Los Angeles could use a No. 1 wide receiver and reinforcements on the back seven of their defense, but needs one, two, and three are all on the offensive line. Right tackle Rob Havenstein is probably the only starter among the front five that shouldn't get immediate competition for his starting spot.
To ever catch the Seahawks in the NFC West, the offensive line has to be vastly improved.
Let's operate under the assumption that the Rams will in fact keep Johnson, Britt, McDonald, and Keenum (or add another similarly priced veteran quarterback to back up Goff). It's conceivable that Los Angeles would then have some room to add a free agent of note from outside the organization.
Of course, this money should be spent on an offensive lineman that this team can plug in as a starter and count on. A veteran like Andrew Whitworth at left tackle, should the Bengals allow him to test the market, would be perfect as an immediate leader and rock that can also be an effective guard if, by chance, Greg Robinson ever developed into a starting-caliber left tackle.
Los Angeles should also consider moving Robinson to guard, but a few guards that could hit the market as immediate upgrades are Kevin Zeitler, J.C. Tretter, or T.J. Lang, but they wouldn't come cheap. Ideally, Los Angeles and Goff would have a great veteran center to command the offensive line. There isn't an obvious candidate whose contract is ready to expire, although Tretter could play center.
While some more veterans will be released for salary cap reasons, there isn't a lot to pick from for the Rams in free agency outside of current Bengals or Packers in an offensive linemen-starved league.
Even if it isn't these higher-end starters, the Rams do need to add a veteran or two with starting experience, as well as using probably two of their top draft picks up front. The line really should be that much of a priority, even if it means neglecting the rest of the roster.
This is an absolutely crucial time in the extremely brief history of the Los Angeles Rams. It has to be all about the head guy, then all about the big guys, if the Rams are to get this program back on track.
