National Football League

Through the fog, the Rams can see these three things clearly

Published Feb. 12, 2015 4:41 p.m. ET

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ST. LOUIS -- Less than a month ago, ProFootballFocus.com released an analytical study designed to determine how close each team came to being a Super Bowl contender in 2014.

The results said the Rams needed 10 additional above-average players, more than all but five of their peers across the league. While perhaps a bit harsh, it may also serve as a reality check against all the optimism coming out of Rams Park, where general manager Les Snead, coach Jeff Fisher and most players believe they made significant progress and came up just a few plays short of a quality season.

Most of their needs have been well documented, particularly the uncertainty at quarterback and a shaky offensive line. Even the coaching staff needs to find a quarterbacks coach, although Jeff Garcia has been brought in for an interview.

Amid all the question marks, though, Snead and Fisher have done some quality work in building a sustainable core during their three seasons with the franchise. Here's a look at three areas the Rams won't need to worry about this offseason.

QUALITY PASS RUSHERS

A middle-of-the-road sack total tells only about half the story of just how much the Rams' young pass rushers affected opposing quarterbacks last season.

They finished 13th with 40 sacks, a rather impressive feat considering St. Louis became the first team in NFL history to record only one sack in its first five games. That happened largely because of a porous rush defense and opponents' game plans specifically designed to help quarterbacks get the ball out quicker to their receivers.

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When improvements throughout the defense forced teams to focus less on the front four, one of football's best defensive lines started to take advantage. The talent level also increased significantly as defensive end Chris Long returned from injury midway through the season and rookie Aaron Donald established himself as one of the league's best defensive tackles.

At 23, Donald is the youngest of a group that also includes two 24-year-olds in defensive tackle Michael Brockers and two-time first team All-Pro defensive end Robert Quinn. Look for all of them to keep terrorizing quarterbacks for years to come.

With that in mind, it's somewhat unfortunate for the Rams that this year's draft class appears loaded with quality pass rushers, including Nebraska's Roy Gregory and Mizzou defensive ends Shane Ray and Markus Golden. But in a business where no college player is ever a sure thing, St. Louis should still feel good about its stockpile of proven playmakers.

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

For the first time in four years, St. Louis won't be looking for a new defensive coordinator this offseason.

Gregg Williams showed why he's the man Fisher wanted in St. Louis all along, even though a suspension prevented him from keeping the job in 2012. The Rams' defense finished 16th in the league in total defense and the unit's improvement throughout the season indicates it could get even better.

"You just kind of felt a different vibe in the locker room and in our meeting room between communication between players and coaches," safety T.J. McDonald said after the season. "That was something that we could tell, it was something special that was growing in the room, and that's what has guys so excited and encouraged about next season."

Williams repeatedly praised his players for their work ethic and willingness to listen as they got more comfortable in the new system. They embraced Williams' aggressiveness and reeled off back-to-back shutouts against Oakland and Washington while giving up two touchdowns just three times in the final nine games.

WIDE RECEIVER DEPTH

More than six years after Torry Holt last caught a pass for the Rams, they're still looking for an elite receiver to take his place.

But their efforts haven't been completely futile, thanks to some solid production from a diverse group of quality secondary receivers. Four wideouts caught at least 25 passes and gained 242 yards, and 2012's leading receiver Chris Givens rarely even saw the field.

St. Louis showed a variety of weapons, from tall receivers such as Brian Quick, or a faster, more dynamic player such as Tavon Austin. His former West Virginia teammate, Stedman Bailey, emerged late in the season to lead the Rams for two straight games, including a 100-yard day against Oakland.

"We've invested a good bit in wide receivers, but the interesting thing is they're all young, so we had to figure it out," Snead told reporters after the season. "Because we've all seen the whole wide receiver thing work out that way where some of the more productive guys are maybe lesser-knowns, but they develop and go."

That's what happened for Quick, who seemed destined for a breakout year before a badly separated shoulder cut his season short after gaining 375 yards in six-plus games. If he can bounce back from the tough injury, he could develop into the true No. 1 receiver St. Louis needs.

Or maybe Kenny Britt will step into the role on the heels of a strong second half that helped him set a new career high with 48 catches. The 26-year-old's 748 receiving yards were the most by a Ram since Holt went for 796 in 2008.

The foundation for a strong receiving corps has been established. It just needs a leader. 

You can follow Luke Thompson on Twitter at @FS_LukeT or email him at lukegthompson87@gmail.com.

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