The Los Angeles Rams host the Green Bay Packers this week in a NFC showdown. Add to the storyline that QBs Aaron Rodgers and Jared Goff both went to Cal and this game continues to have interesting angles. While Rodgers is a very talented player (some would argue the most talented QB in the game now) Josh Reynolds Color Rush Jersey , there are a multitude of players who could cause trouble for the Rams they go for 8-0. The Rams will have their hands full as the Packers had an extra week to prepare. QB Aaron RodgersThe Packers go as Aaron Rodgers goes. Nursing a knee tweak from his game against the Chicago Bears, Rodgers is continuing to get healthy as he enters the contest. For the season, Rodgers isn’t posting gaudy stats as we’re accustomed to but make no mistake, he’s still very elite. For the season, Rodgers has completed 61.4% of his passes for 1,997 yards with 12 TD, 1 INT, and a QBR of 52.9. LB Blake MartinezGuess who has been the best linebacker for the Packers this season? It’s been Martinez and not Clay Matthews. Martinez leads the Packers with 51 combined tackles while also contributing in the pass rush with three sacks. Martinez entered the bye week as the #8 linebacker according to PFF and he’ll have the responsibility of trying to slow down Todd Gurley.RB Aaron JonesPerhaps the biggest mystery of the Packers offense is how little the team is using RB Aaron Jones. Coming off a suspension, Jones continues to lead the backfield in terms of yards per carry. Jones is averaging 5.9 ypc and hopes to get more involved in the gameplan. Perhaps with the bye week, the staff may look to get the talented back more involved.(For the sake of fantasy owners everywhere Samson Ebukam Jersey , #FreeAaronJones)S Ha Ha Clinton-DixClinton-Dix paces the Packers defense. Considered the best player on that side of the ball according to PFF, Clinton-Dix has 23 combined tackles while also contributing with three interceptions, one forced fumble, and one sack. Clinton-Dix will have a challenge in covering Rams WRs Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods as Cooper Kupp is expected to miss the contest. Look for the Rams to perhaps avoid Clinton-Dix in the contest.WR Davante AdamsIf there’s a receiver that Rodgers trusts, it’s Adams who leads the Packers in most receiving metrics. With 71 targets so far in the season, Adams has caught 47 receptions for 557 yards and six touchdowns. The Rams secondary will do their best to contain the Adams-Rodgers connection. It was a big day on the 53-man roster front for the Los Angeles Rams after trading for Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE Dante Fowler Jr. and waiving OL Jamon Brown to make room for him. While that obviously changes the immediate outlook for the Rams now halfway through the 2018 regular season, it also changes things for the 2019 offseason and the 2019 NFL Draft.2019 free agencyHere are the current Rams that will be free agents in 2019 (along with those who were headed for the same outcome):2019 Los Angeles Rams Free AgentsPlayerPOSTypeOutcomePlayerPOSTypeOutcomeSome really interested decisions forthcoming. Brown and starting LG Rodger Saffold were already interesting in this respect since the Rams re-signed RT Rob Havenstein back in August (the key part being that they didn’t re-sign Saff or Brown then...or to this point).A bunch of key defenders in the mix here as well from guys I expect to be gone like DL Ndamukong Suh and S Lamarcus Joyner to a ton of rotational guys like Fowler, EDGE Matt Longacre, CB Sam Shields and ILB Ramik Wilson.And while QB Sean Mannion might not leap off the page as the biggest name, backup quarterback remains one of the most important positions to staff on the depth chart. Should the Rams opt to move on from the Human Somewhere on this Earth Dominique Easley Color Rush Jersey , that will be a major staffing decision.2019 NFL DraftSo the trade for Fowler will cost the Rams two picks: a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick.The third round pick will be the highest compensatory pick the Rams receive as long as they receive one in the third; otherwise, they will get the Rams’ natural pick in the third. They will also get the Rams’ 2020 fifth-round pick regardless of compensatory outcome. The Rams are expected to get comp picks for WR Sammy Watkins and CB Trumaine Johnson; both could net third-rounders. The Rams also have two other players to qualify for comp picks in S Cody Davis who signed with the Jags and TE Derek Carrier who signed with the Oakland Raiders. None of the Rams’ additions this year cancel out any picks as WR Brandin Cooks, CB Marcus Peters and CB Aqib Talib all arrived via trade while DL Ndamukong Suh was released by his previous team and thus does not qualify.Fowler, should he not be re-signed and leave in free agency, would net a comp pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.So before getting comp picks, here’s the Rams’ current 2019 draft haul:2019 NFL Draft LA Rams OrderRd#Rd#PickRd#Rd#PickThe Rams’ second-round pick was part of the trade for Peters. The third-round pick is on the hook for Fowler, and the seventh-rounder was included in the package to send LB Alec Ogletree to the New York Giants.The Rams remain all-in on their effort to maximize their chances to succeed in this window built on the inexpensive rookie contracts from their stars they picked up in the last four years.So while we’re focused on the task ahead as the playoff picture begins to sharpen, keep in mind the Rams are concurrently developing their plans for the 2019 offseason to ensure the window stays open for years to come.
