A flood of highly-drafted players in recent years following the RG3 trade hasn’t stopped the rot of losing seasons in St Louis. In this Rams season preview, one question will be very clear; in what could be the franchise’s final year before a potential return to Los Angeles, is the elusive .500 mark there for the topping?

2014 review

It’s safe to say that things were more eventful elsewhere in the St Louis area in the second half of 2014 than they were at the Edward Jones Dome. Indeed, the Rams were not – could not be – isolated from the Mike Brown shooting and subsequent anti-police protests in Ferguson.

The team’s receiving corps made a symbolic “hands up” gesture before one game in solidarity with the protestors following the acquittal of the police officer who shot Brown; in return, the following week saw a symbolic burning of Rams jerseys and hats at a gathering to the south of St. Louis, timed to match the kickoff of the team’s next game.

Why mention this background at all? Because, frankly, it almost completely overshadowed yet another uneventful season on the field. Once again, they were the worst of a good bunch in the NFC West, aside from a memorable defeat of the Seattle Seahawks in October that was driven by two startling plays on special teams – a punt return touchdown on a fake that even the TV camera crew bit on, and a fake-punt throw from former high school quarterback Johnny Hekker. Otherwise, same old narrowly sub-.500 season – 6-10 this time – though lit up by Aaron Donald’s emergence as one of the top interior pass-rushers in the NFL in his very first professional season; unsurprisingly, that earned him the Defensive Rookie of the Year distinction.

Personnel changes

The RG3 trade was made possible because the Rams had Sam Bradford. This year, they pulled off what looks to be another trade robbery, this time involving Bradford himself.

The injury-prone signal-caller and a conditional 2016 mid-round pick were exchanged for Nick Foles and a 2016 second-rounder in one of Chip Kelly’s many wild offseason moves. Foles is certainly not as good as his two-pick, 27-TD 2013 implied, but he’s an unequivocal upgrade on Shaun Hill, the veteran backup quarterback who was the starter for most of 2014 after Bradford’s preseason ACL tear.

Not that the Rams aren’t hitching their offensive wagon to someone coming off a torn ACL. Todd Gurley – the highest-drafted RB in three years despite the injury he sustained in the middle of his final season at Georgia – was this year’s Rams first-round pick, and while his availability for the start of the regular season is in question, his talent level isn’t, thanks to some seriously impressive tape against top SEC opposition.

The Rams loaded up on offensive line talent later in the draft – and even added Isaiah Battle in the supplemental draft, giving up a 2016 fifth-round pick to do so – but second-rounder Rob Havenstein was widely considered a reach. The losses of Jake Long and Joseph Barksdale meant there were glaring holes on the line, and Greg Robinson – despite being the second overall pick – did not look ready to start at left tackle. He’ll almost certainly have to do so again this year, though.

Elsewhere in free agency, defensive tackle Nick Fairley – Ndamukong Suh’s second fiddle in Detroit – was signed on a one-year “prove it” deal, and Akeem Ayers will act as a run-stopping linebacker after his acquisition from the New England Patriots.

Team strengths

The defensive line. With two from Donald, Fairley, and Michael Brockers on the inside, plus Robert Quinn and Chris Long on the edge, this could be the best four-man front in football.

If Gurley lives up to the hype, running back could instantly become a strong position too, as it’s one where young players can and do make an impact quickly.

Team weaknesses

Foles might just be a two-month wonder, and besides, who’s he throwing to, and who’s going to keep him upright? An inexperienced line and a bunch of underperforming receivers will probably cause the ex-Eagle real problems.

The secondary looked like it was getting somewhere thanks to the breakout of sixth-round rookie corner EJ Gaines. Back to square one in that department, sadly, as Gaines will miss the season to a Lisfranc injury. The linebackers aren’t inspiring either, so that front four carries the entire defensive unit – which will probably not be enough against strong offenses.

Best case

The NFC West is nowhere near as tough as it used to be, as one of the Rams’ three divisional rivals are set to regress badly, and a second has already demonstrated that they will do so if and when an aging quarterback struggles to recover from a major injury. Gurley emerges as a major force, carrying many a fantasy team to a championship; the Rams won’t win one of those any time soon, but a wild card spot is not out of the question – and Gurley could allow for a ground-and-pound victory on the road in January, too. 10-6, second in NFC West, lose in divisional round

Worst case

The offensive line is a hot mess, and Foles has a mare behind them. Gurley re-injures his knee early on and Tre Mason won’t be able to gee up the offense either. The Rams remain rooted to the floor of their division yet again; they are seemingly attached there with highly powerful adhesive. 5-11, fourth in NFC West

Likeliest

Is .500 there to be broken? Very possibly if the division weakens, and a fourth-place schedule gifts the Rams a couple of extra sitters. There’s just too much burden on the shoulders of an injured rookie for me to feel confident of a breakout, but that defensive front will keep them competitive even in most of their losses. If in doubt, assume with this team that 2014 will repeat itself again; fans can expect more sacks than Santa, but for the team to be out of playoff contention before Christmas even though that’s a week earlier in the NFL season this year than last. It’s all too stable for this team; about the only real change this year will be that they will move forwards in their division by standing still as the 49ers crumble. Maybe a relocation will change things next year? 7-9, third in NFC West