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Wanted to open a little more discussion on a primary concern position group and what might be coming this offseason and beyond for the unit. Here's where we're at right now...
Format:
Position Name Year//CapHit//DeadCapHit
LT Whitworth 2018//$12.1M//$5.8M---2019//$12.4M//$1.6M---2020//UFA
LG Saffold 2018//$7.5M//$1M---2019//UFA
C Blythe 2018//$.6M//$0M---2019//$.7M//$0M---2020//UFA
RG Brown 2018//$1M//$.2M---2019//UFA
RT Havenstein 2018//$1.2M//$.3---2019//UFA
So for starters we can assume that LT is going to be flipped after 2019 best case. Worst case he starts to break down this season and they find themselves in the market and draft for LT after this season. IMO it is extremely unlikely LT is addressed this offseason and draft, because the Rams are better off than most teams there and do not have the draft capital nor the cap room to prioritize LT above other needs.
LG is going to be extremely costly after this season. I expect Roger to have another Pro Bowl season and probably gets the votes he deserves, and it will be his last contract in his prime so he's going to want to get paid. That is an option, but with decisions pending across the other positions I am not certain the Rams will elect to pay him. In fact my guess right now is they let him play out his contract season and then walk in FA because they need to build the line that will allow them to utilize this window of playoff opportunity.
C will be drafted this offseason. I am certain of that. Why? Because you can get them midrounds, the position requires an upgrade or at least depth behind Blythe, and lastly because Sully is old and has that injury history plus should be paid pretty well in this market and rightly so.
RG is the crux for the entire decision tree IMO. If they really like Brown and project him to have a strong season they will lock him up and maybe at a rate that is good for both sides. If not, then they might surprise everyone and pursue a top OG in FA. Why? Because they have to pay someone else besides Whit on this OL as a minimum to lessen the FA hits come 2019. Someone's gonna get paid.
RT is where I expect the Rams to lock up Havenstein. I think it gets done very quickly this offseason. Why? Because he's a solid RT who is serious about his craft and will improve as we go forward. He's also not playing his best ball yet and that's when it's a good time to lock guys up. I don't like to address tackles in FA personally, and don't like this FA class in terms of whether there are upgrades over Havenstein, so I don't expect any possible activity there.
So IMO here's our rough options...
Option 1
* Lock up Havenstein to a reasonable deal
* Draft a Center
Why it's option 1... Because tackles are harder to find and require higher draft capital than interior guys.
Option 2
* Lock up Brown to a reasonable deal
* Draft a Center
Why it's option 2... Because Havenstein might price himself out of the Rams plans.
Option 3
* Sign a top OG in FA
* Draft a Center
Why it's option 3... Because both those knuckleheads might price themselves out of the Rams plans.
Strangely of all the three possibilities above Option 3 is the most beneficial to next season. Why? Because it upgrades the Rams' OL for the 2018 season by replacing Brown, who was their weakest link. Under this option the Rams' center position would be the weakest, but if they hit on a Center in the draft they could field a ridiculous line for one season.
Bottom line IMO is the Rams must lock up one position. If they can get two locked up through club friendly deals so much the better but I am talking bare minimum here. In that case and using Option 1 as an example this is what we're looking at after the season...
LT Whitworth 2019//$12.4M//$1.6M---2020//UFA
LG ***NEED***
C <drafted in 2018 position solid at best>
RG ***NEED***
RT Havenstein <locked up in 2018 position good>
Replacing two positions is a tough order, but it is doable. At that point in time with Whit coming off the books after the 2019 season they can move up in the draft and get their LT, and with money only locked into RT for the future they can add a strong OG through FA and draft the other one or fill through depth.
Format:
Position Name Year//CapHit//DeadCapHit
LT Whitworth 2018//$12.1M//$5.8M---2019//$12.4M//$1.6M---2020//UFA
LG Saffold 2018//$7.5M//$1M---2019//UFA
C Blythe 2018//$.6M//$0M---2019//$.7M//$0M---2020//UFA
RG Brown 2018//$1M//$.2M---2019//UFA
RT Havenstein 2018//$1.2M//$.3---2019//UFA
So for starters we can assume that LT is going to be flipped after 2019 best case. Worst case he starts to break down this season and they find themselves in the market and draft for LT after this season. IMO it is extremely unlikely LT is addressed this offseason and draft, because the Rams are better off than most teams there and do not have the draft capital nor the cap room to prioritize LT above other needs.
LG is going to be extremely costly after this season. I expect Roger to have another Pro Bowl season and probably gets the votes he deserves, and it will be his last contract in his prime so he's going to want to get paid. That is an option, but with decisions pending across the other positions I am not certain the Rams will elect to pay him. In fact my guess right now is they let him play out his contract season and then walk in FA because they need to build the line that will allow them to utilize this window of playoff opportunity.
C will be drafted this offseason. I am certain of that. Why? Because you can get them midrounds, the position requires an upgrade or at least depth behind Blythe, and lastly because Sully is old and has that injury history plus should be paid pretty well in this market and rightly so.
RG is the crux for the entire decision tree IMO. If they really like Brown and project him to have a strong season they will lock him up and maybe at a rate that is good for both sides. If not, then they might surprise everyone and pursue a top OG in FA. Why? Because they have to pay someone else besides Whit on this OL as a minimum to lessen the FA hits come 2019. Someone's gonna get paid.
RT is where I expect the Rams to lock up Havenstein. I think it gets done very quickly this offseason. Why? Because he's a solid RT who is serious about his craft and will improve as we go forward. He's also not playing his best ball yet and that's when it's a good time to lock guys up. I don't like to address tackles in FA personally, and don't like this FA class in terms of whether there are upgrades over Havenstein, so I don't expect any possible activity there.
So IMO here's our rough options...
Option 1
* Lock up Havenstein to a reasonable deal
* Draft a Center
Why it's option 1... Because tackles are harder to find and require higher draft capital than interior guys.
Option 2
* Lock up Brown to a reasonable deal
* Draft a Center
Why it's option 2... Because Havenstein might price himself out of the Rams plans.
Option 3
* Sign a top OG in FA
* Draft a Center
Why it's option 3... Because both those knuckleheads might price themselves out of the Rams plans.
Strangely of all the three possibilities above Option 3 is the most beneficial to next season. Why? Because it upgrades the Rams' OL for the 2018 season by replacing Brown, who was their weakest link. Under this option the Rams' center position would be the weakest, but if they hit on a Center in the draft they could field a ridiculous line for one season.
Bottom line IMO is the Rams must lock up one position. If they can get two locked up through club friendly deals so much the better but I am talking bare minimum here. In that case and using Option 1 as an example this is what we're looking at after the season...
LT Whitworth 2019//$12.4M//$1.6M---2020//UFA
LG ***NEED***
C <drafted in 2018 position solid at best>
RG ***NEED***
RT Havenstein <locked up in 2018 position good>
Replacing two positions is a tough order, but it is doable. At that point in time with Whit coming off the books after the 2019 season they can move up in the draft and get their LT, and with money only locked into RT for the future they can add a strong OG through FA and draft the other one or fill through depth.