Magic 8 Ball predictions for the 2024 Los Angeles Rams

Mattel's Magic 8 Ball has been predicting the future since 1946. We ran a few questions about the Los Angeles Rams by one, and the results were less than optimal.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, users ask yes-no questions to the ball, give it a shake and then turn it over to reveal the answer. We opted for an online version to ask the following:

Can Puka Nacua be even better than his rookie season?

Magic 8 ball says: You may rely on it

Nacua was one of the biggest surprises in the NFL during the 2023 season. After being selected in the fifth round, he made an immediate impact on the Rams offense by catching 105 passes for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns. He not only became the Rams' primary target in the passing game, but he was also one of the top rookies in the NFL.

The question is: what can he do for an encore?

On one hand, Nacua has a full year of experience under his belt with a top-tier quarterback (Matthew Stafford) throwing to him. But he is also not going to catch anybody by surprise this season as a focal point of opposing coverages and game plans.

Will the retirement of Aaron Donald be too much for the defense to overcome?

Magic 8 ball says: Outlook not so good

The Rams are facing the difficult task of trying to replace one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history following the retirement of Donald. While he was not quite the same player he was at his peak, Donald was still a disruptive force in 2023 with eight sacks, a first-team All-Pro nod, 16 tackles for loss and 23 quarterback hits. He was outstanding.

The Rams have a potential rising star in second-year player defensive tackle Kobie Turner, while they also drafted Braden Fiske in the second round. Those two have the potential to be a very strong duo in the middle of the Rams' defense. But the team is also about to find out there is a pretty substantial gap between "very strong" and "all-time great."

Did they do enough to upgrade their secondary?

Magic 8 ball says: Yes

If the Rams had a major weakness in 2023 it was their secondary. Los Angeles finished 20th in the NFL against the pass.

In an effort to remedy that this offseason, the Rams made two significant free-agent additions by signing former Jaguars corner Darious Williams and former Bills corner Tre'Davious White.

Both should be upgrades, but White definitely comes with a bit of a risk given his recent injury history. He has been limited to just 21 games (out of 51) over the past three years, and just 10 (out of 34) over the past two years.

The potential upside, however, is that when he is healthy, he can be one of the best cover corners in the league with 18 interceptions in 82 regular season games. If the Rams get quality play out of Williams and White, their defense will take a huge step forward.