Les Snead has Los Angeles Rams in great position with cap space for 2019

[BonifayRam]

Les Snead has helped put the Los Angeles Rams in great position for 2019 with plenty of cap space to work with.
by Henry Petzold

https://ramblinfan.com/2019/02/12/los-angeles-rams-les-snead-team-cap-space-2019/

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead has become very famous in the NFL with a number of blockbuster trades on draft day over the years.

From acquiring numerous draft picks from the Washington Redskins so they could select Robert Griffin III in 2012 to trading up in 2016 to land Jared Goff, Snead has pulled off plenty of major deals since coming on board seven years ago.

According to the folks over at OverTheCap.com, Los Angeles has almost $30 million in cap space in 2019, with one of the biggest questions for Snead’s Rams is whether or not Andrew Whitworth will retire this year, after a decorated 13-year career.

Whitworth carries a $16.7M cap number this year, and no matter what happens, Sean McVay has made it clear he will be extremely supportive of whatever the veteran decides on doing.If Whitworth does decide to call it a career, the next man up for Los Angeles would be Joseph Noteboom, who carries a low $831,349 cap number.Noteboom came in for Whitworth on Week 17, in a game were the Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers with ease.During that game, I remember watching Noteboom and thinking how the kid was holding his own, and could be a key part of the offensive line for Los Angeles in the future.

It is interesting to note that during the 2018 season, Noteboom usually practiced with the fist-team offense on Wednesdays and sometimes on Thursdays, when Whitworth took a very well deserved rest on either or both of those days.I’m not saying that Noteboom is of the same caliber of Whitworth today, but certainly he could evolve into a top-notch offensive tackle. So far, Noteboom has done everything the Rams have asked him to do, and he has done it well.Having Noteboom step in for Whitworth in 2019 would save the Rams a staggering $15.8 million, meaning they would have about $45 million in cap space.

Deduct $6 million for the Rams 2019 rookie class and about $5 million for tendering restricted free agent linebacker Cory Littleton, and Los Angeles will have some $34 million in cap space to keep their most important free agents.

Exactly which free agents are we talking about? Well, the most important free agents regarding the Rams seem to be Dante Fowler, Rodger Saffold, Lamarcus Joyner, and Ndamukong Suh, so it will be interesting to see who ends up sticking around, if any at all.

Also, Los Angeles could use that potential $34 million in new-found cap space the following way:

• Use the franchise tag on Fowler for $17 million (estimate from ProFootballRumors).
• Re-sign Saffold for $10 million per year (hometown discount) and sign Suh for a contract full of easy incentives to pay at least $7 million

Since Snead has a history of having safeties and cornerbacks test the waters outside the team, I would expect the Rams to move on from Joyner instead of re-signing him to another deal

Of course, these decisions do not include potential cap casualties such as Michael Brockers ($11 million cap number) and Mark Barron ($9 million cap number), which would increase the Rams cap by an extra $20 million. For now, Snead, McVay and the rest of the Rams will await Whitworth’s retirement decision since this will have a deep financial impact for the team going forward.

Either way, no matter what Whitworth ends up deciding to do, the good news for Los Angeles is thanks to Snead making all of these key moves over the years, it seems to finally be paying off for the Rams, as they’re finally built to contend for years to come.

 

[Merlin]

I can't see Whit electing to retire when he finally got some playoff wins and his first Super Bowl appearance. And while Boom might be ready here soon keeping Whit around for one more go would ensure our LT depth is good. IMO Whit is the guy who is going to take the team friendly deal (extension) and stick around a bit longer. I'd put that at around 90%.

Another extension/restructure should be Brock. They can adjust things for him rather easily to make more cap room. He had a disappointing season in many ways but I think he lost too much weight, and either way he's a leader and the Rams can't afford to create more holes in a defense that already needs upgrading.

Also I hate to see the articles that confuse who is in which lane. Rams cap health is mostly due to Demoff, as we are all aware. Had to throw that out there lol.

When it comes to draft day I have to think there is a chance Les moves us up if/when an edge OLB drops into the desired range. This class is downright sick in LOS types on the defensive side of the ball, but of course when it comes to the best pass rushers those guys are always a premium so a move-up might be necessary to get that most critical piece for Wade's defense. If Les can solve our ROLB problems with a young impact edge rusher we are gonna be in business.

 

[WarnerToBruce]

I am glad to see a piece articulating this position.

I am not qualified to know for sure the Rams cap situation, but I knew it wasn’t as bad as the national narrative that the Rams were all-in this year and will be in bad shape when all their good players leave this offseason. Saw some predictions as bad as 6-10!

Maybe it was just wishful thinking from the rest of the NFC

 

[nighttrain]

i can see Snead resigning Fowler, Suh, Saffold, Brock, and big Whit, take some doing, but really possible with the aforementioned players help
train

 

[Zodi]

bUt tHe rAmS sOlD oUt FoR 2018

 

[Ram65]

If Noteboom was ready to take over for at LT and play close to how Whitworth played I would be in. Too bad there are no guarantees he will. That's a lot a cap for Whitworth. It could be retirement to an extension for Whitworth. The Rams will go from there.

 

[shovelpass]

bUt tHe rAmS sOlD oUt FoR 2018

I don't see how they could when they've already "mortgaged their future" for Goff.

 

[Karate61]

Les Snead has helped put the Los Angeles Rams in great position for 2019 with plenty of cap space to work with.
by Henry Petzold

https://ramblinfan.com/2019/02/12/los-angeles-rams-les-snead-team-cap-space-2019/

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead has become very famous in the NFL with a number of blockbuster trades on draft day over the years.

From acquiring numerous draft picks from the Washington Redskins so they could select Robert Griffin III in 2012 to trading up in 2016 to land Jared Goff, Snead has pulled off plenty of major deals since coming on board seven years ago.

According to the folks over at OverTheCap.com, Los Angeles has almost $30 million in cap space in 2019, with one of the biggest questions for Snead’s Rams is whether or not Andrew Whitworth will retire this year, after a decorated 13-year career.

Whitworth carries a $16.7M cap number this year, and no matter what happens, Sean McVay has made it clear he will be extremely supportive of whatever the veteran decides on doing.If Whitworth does decide to call it a career, the next man up for Los Angeles would be Joseph Noteboom, who carries a low $831,349 cap number.Noteboom came in for Whitworth on Week 17, in a game were the Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers with ease.During that game, I remember watching Noteboom and thinking how the kid was holding his own, and could be a key part of the offensive line for Los Angeles in the future.

It is interesting to note that during the 2018 season, Noteboom usually practiced with the fist-team offense on Wednesdays and sometimes on Thursdays, when Whitworth took a very well deserved rest on either or both of those days.I’m not saying that Noteboom is of the same caliber of Whitworth today, but certainly he could evolve into a top-notch offensive tackle. So far, Noteboom has done everything the Rams have asked him to do, and he has done it well.Having Noteboom step in for Whitworth in 2019 would save the Rams a staggering $15.8 million, meaning they would have about $45 million in cap space.

Deduct $6 million for the Rams 2019 rookie class and about $5 million for tendering restricted free agent linebacker Cory Littleton, and Los Angeles will have some $34 million in cap space to keep their most important free agents.

Exactly which free agents are we talking about? Well, the most important free agents regarding the Rams seem to be Dante Fowler, Rodger Saffold, Lamarcus Joyner, and Ndamukong Suh, so it will be interesting to see who ends up sticking around, if any at all.

Also, Los Angeles could use that potential $34 million in new-found cap space the following way:

• Use the franchise tag on Fowler for $17 million (estimate from ProFootballRumors).
• Re-sign Saffold for $10 million per year (hometown discount) and sign Suh for a contract full of easy incentives to pay at least $7 million

Since Snead has a history of having safeties and cornerbacks test the waters outside the team, I would expect the Rams to move on from Joyner instead of re-signing him to another deal

Of course, these decisions do not include potential cap casualties such as Michael Brockers ($11 million cap number) and Mark Barron ($9 million cap number), which would increase the Rams cap by an extra $20 million. For now, Snead, McVay and the rest of the Rams will await Whitworth’s retirement decision since this will have a deep financial impact for the team going forward.

Either way, no matter what Whitworth ends up deciding to do, the good news for Los Angeles is thanks to Snead making all of these key moves over the years, it seems to finally be paying off for the Rams, as they’re finally built to contend for years to come.

After reading this, I'm leaning towards hoping Whitworth calls it a day. I think the extra $16 million to spend is more valuable then the difference between Whitworth's and Noteboom's performance. Noteboom has played like a stud from what I've seen, and on multiple occasions.

With LA becoming an attractive free angency team, that $16m could go a long way for Snead!

 

[OldSchool]

After reading this, I'm leaning towards hoping Whitworth calls it a day. I think the extra $16 million to spend is more valuable then the difference between Whitworth's and Noteboom's performance. Noteboom has played like a stud from what I've seen, and on multiple occasions.

With LA becoming an attractive free angency team, that $16m could go a long way for Snead!

It could possibly benefit us cap wise but that’s another roster spot to fill. We’d need depth at tackle that Noteboom currently fills.

 

[Karate61]

It could possibly benefit us cap wise but that’s another roster spot to fill. We’d need depth at tackle that Noteboom currently fills.

Good point. I wasn't considering depth at all.

 

[CGI_Ram]

It could possibly benefit us cap wise but that’s another roster spot to fill. We’d need depth at tackle that Noteboom currently fills.

I was thinking the same thing.... yet see what @Karate61 means too.

It sure felt good having someone like Boom available if we lost a guy.

 

[Ram65]

Deduct $6 million for the Rams 2019 rookie class and about $5 million for tendering restricted free agent linebacker Cory Littleton, and Los Angeles will have some $34 million in cap space to keep their most important free agents.

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/12/restricted-free-agent-tender-2019
December 14th, 2018 at 12:05pm CST by Zach Links
This year, it will cost nearly $4.5MM for teams to apply the first-round tender to restricted free agents, according to Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). The official figures won’t come out until we get closer to free agency in March, but Corry has estimated the numbers based on the assumption that the 2019 salary cap will be approximately $190MM:

• Low tender: $2.045MM
• Second Round: $3.124MM
• First Round: $4.449MM ______________________

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams/cap/

Haven't been much talk on numbers for resigning players or redoing contracts. Rams could save cap by giving Cory a longer deal. Rookie class seems right with the 2 comp picks. Spotrack has the Rams at 4.115M without them plus UDFA signings. I guess they can get Cory at around 3 to 3.5 Million this year on a longer term deal. Take away 5.5-6.0 M For draft class and UDFA. That leaves the Rams around 19-20 Million without any other moves from the nearly 29 Million real cap space. This is going to get very interesting as we move on in the off season.

 

[Zodi]

It could possibly benefit us cap wise but that’s another roster spot to fill. We’d need depth at tackle that Noteboom currently fills.

Notebloom filled in for Saffold or Blythe, too, right? I remember him filling in at guard as well and the offense not missing a beat.

 

[BonifayRam]

Notebloom filled in for Saffold or Blythe, too, right? I remember him filling in at guard as well and the offense not missing a beat.

Noteboom played four OL posts in the preseason, the exception being center.

In the regular season Noteboom saw most offensive series playing the LT but he did fill in @ small amounts of time @ RG & RT. With Whitworth/Saffold & Sullivan being rested during Wednesday & Thursday's practice event throughout the regular season I am sure that Noteboom has had a full season of practice @ both left side posts (LG/LT).

 

[Mojo Ram]

Yeah but...i mean the roster and cap should be crippled by now right? Goff trade, Cooks deal, Gurley deal, Peters trade, Talib, Suh money. We're surely fucked, and when we pay Goff we'll be Jared and a roster of JAGS. We only have three 6th rd draft picks this year.

 

[TexasRam]

We are in a good spot. About at the league average cap wise. Our core is young and we have some room for a move or two depending on the Barron and Brockers situation. But we Must sign Saffold.

Need to start finding youth in the draft at CB/S, Guard and Edge

 

[PhillyRam]

I am glad to see a piece articulating this position.

I am not qualified to know for sure the Rams cap situation, but I knew it wasn’t as bad as the national narrative that the Rams were all-in this year and will be in bad shape when all their good players leave this offseason. Saw some predictions as bad as 6-10!

Maybe it was just wishful thinking from the rest of the NFC

The author isn't qualified either it seems.

The Rams will not save $15 plus million if Whitworth retires. His cap savings is more like $10.75M due to dead money from his prorated bonus.

They also won't need $6M to sign rookies. They only have 7 picks and the late ones won't even count against the top 51 salaries for now and the other picks will replace guys currently on that list so their full cap hit will subtract the salaries currently on the top 51...and they do have more than 51 players currently under contract. So it is a not a simple add the expected cap hits of the rookie class to the cap situation.

I am estimating with Barron and Sullivan jettisoned they will have around $41M in cap space. If Whitworth retires that goes to nearly $53M. Then if you add the draft pick cap hits we are looking at around $51M.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

But we Must sign Saffold.

Agree. Saffold is the one we can least afford to let walk.

 

[Akrasian]

Poor math.

First, it's true that over the cap has the Rams cap space so far with just under $30 million estimated (depending on the cap which isn't official yet. However - that is with 39 players under contract. Preseason the cap is figured with the top 51, but what really matters is the 53 who will make the roster, plus the dead cap hits, plus money for the practice squad ($1.3 million at least, possibly more) plus millions for pickups during the season (injured players count against the cap, as do any players you pick up to replace them). So the real figure is well under $30 million.

As has been pointed out, his math is off on Brockers and Barron. Brockers would have $750k dead money (but the Rams need him anyway) and Barron would have $3.33 million dead money (and I expect him to be gone). Hopefully the Rams can extend Brockers and cut his cap hit for next year a bit, while moving him back inside where he's most effective.

Whitworth retiring as has been pointed out does not save $16 million but rather a bit over $11 million - and would open a hole. Noteboom is needed for either one of the guard spots or as a crucial backup.

Tagging Fowler would be insane. He's not worth anywhere close to $17 million - the Rams could fill multiple holes with that money. I would like the Rams to keep him, but I expect it to be for far less.

Littleton's tag should be around $4.5 million - I doubt he would be cheaper by giving him multiple years, unless they backloaded the contract. Littleton knows that he would be a bargain at $4.5 million. He was the Rams' best starting linebacker and a pro bowl caliber special teamer.

Before the rookies, before any free agents, and without Barron The Rams likely have a tad over $30 million, but need 15 more players on the roster. I don't see them going with all rookies, and some of the free agents - like Saffold - will be expensive. As will taking care of the linebacker spots, a safety, a backup QB, etc. It's doable, but there will be mostly bargain hunting this offseason.