Coaching Carousel 2017: Which NFL Coaching Jobs Are Most Attractive?

​Los Angeles Rams

2016 Offensive NEP per play: 32nd
2016 Defensive NEP per play: 16th

Another of the league’s worst coaches fell from their seats this season, as former Los Angeles Rams boss Jeff Fisher was also canned by his team. In just under five years with the Rams franchise, Fisher assembled a record of 31-45-1, never once reaching a .500 record in a season. His last great act was sending a king’s ransom of draft picks for the rights to sit 2016 first overall selection -- quarterback Jared Goff -- for nearly his entire rookie year.

We don’t always consider draft capital part of a franchise’s value, but this is a big one that will force candidates to reconsider signing with the Rams. There are still big questions about what they have in Goff after he finished 2016 with the worst Passing NEP per drop back among 39 qualifying quarterbacks -- yes, worse than Blaine Gabbert and Bryce Petty. There are questions about running back Todd Gurley, whose Rushing NEP per attempt was better than exactly five other running backs out of 42. And we all know how bad the receiving corps is, with Tavon Austin leading the group in touches but finishing as the worst qualifying wide receiver in Reception NEP per target (among 68) for the second consecutive season.

Fortunately, it’s not all doom and gloom on the defensive side of the ball. There are holes to plug in the secondary, as they need a cornerback opposite Trumaine Johnson and a better safety than Maurice Alexander. Still, though, the combination of defensive tackles Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers, defensive end Robert Quinn, and linebackers Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron are a formidable front seven. The Rams were surprisingly middle-of-the-pack in both phases of Adjusted Defensive NEP per play, and they have ways to build on that success.

Likely Candidates: The Rams are apparently interviewing 8-10 candidates, including everyone from McDaniels to Shanahan, from Marrone to Goodwin. They’re even in talks to trade for New Orleans boss Sean Payton. All offensive gurus means they’re looking to turn Goff and Gurley around.