LOS ANGELES -- While Aaron Donald's retirement gives the Los Angeles Rams another obvious need on the defensive side of the ball entering the 2024 NFL draft, it's hard not to notice how the team tends to operate under head coach Sean McVay.
Since hiring McVay in 2017, Los Angeles' first pick has been used on an offensive player six times in seven drafts. Safety Taylor Rapp, a second-round pick in 2019, was the only exception.
At the NFL league meetings in Orlando last month, one team source acknowledged the need for defensive talent in the draft, but also pointed out that the team typically has gone with an offensive player under their offensive-minded head coach.
With the draft two weeks away and the Rams having 11 picks, here's a look at where they could add on the offensive side of the ball:
Running back
This is a position where the Rams could add a player in the draft. Kyren Williams was a star for Los Angeles in 2023, finishing the season ranked third in rushing, despite only playing in 12 games. Although he is the clear RB1, the Rams need to find a way to give some of those snaps to another running back or two.
The Rams do have Ronnie Rivers and 2023 sixth-round pick Zach Evans on the roster, but likely want to draft another running back.
Wide receiver
Los Angeles hit big at the position in the 2023 draft by selecting Puka Nacua out of BYU in the fifth round. Nacua was the Rams' No. 1 receiver last season and broke the rookie record for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486).
The Rams are hopeful they'll get a healthy Cooper Kupp back this season. Rams general manager Les Snead said if you were ever going to bet on someone being able to come back strong, you'd bet on Kupp "because of his competitive spirit."
"Last year really bothered Cooper," Snead said at the league meetings. "That's just who he is. And he didn't enjoy life last year. Probably almost to a fault. There's only one detriment. He may overtrain trying to get back, but he's definitely working hard.
"And I would bet on Cooper getting back and being healthy, and I know he really wants to. It's those type of competitors, they almost feel guilty for not being 100 percent, but that's life in a tough sport."
So even with Kupp back, along with Nacua, Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles could explore adding another asset.
Offensive line
The inside is set for the Rams, as they spent significant cap space on their offensive line during free agency by re-signing guard Kevin Dotson (three-years, $48 million) and signing guard Jonah Jackson (three years, $51 million). Adding a second guard allowed the Rams to move second-year player Steve Avila to center next season, a position he played at TCU.
The Rams have veteran Rob Havenstein at right tackle and Alaric Jackson at left tackle and brought back tackle Joe Noteboom, who has started in the past and gives Los Angeles solid depth at the position.
Still, with 11 picks it wouldn't be a surprise to see them add depth to the offensive line.
Quarterback
The Rams signed Jimmy Garoppolo to be their backup quarterback behind Matthew Stafford, but he has to serve a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance enhancing substances policy last season with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Rams also have Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn on the roster. Bennett, a 2023 fourth-round draft pick, spent his rookie season on the reserve/non-football illness list for undisclosed reasons. Snead said at the league meetings that the plan is to "onboard" Bennett for offseason workouts.
ESPN's Matt Miller had the Rams taking Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed in the sixth round in his latest quarterback mock draft, saying that "QB3 is a need in Los Angeles." He notes that Reed has the potential to be a future backup.