Projected FA strategy

[Merlin]

So this draft looks deep at CB and DE, which I am sure are both on the Rams need list. I also think they'll use the draft for Center, simply because you can always find those guys into midrounds. NT is also a possibility if they want a run stuffer up the middle to protect their speedy LBs, and it can be found into midrounds just like Center. But of course there are only so many picks, so obviously they're going to have to hit FA pretty hard if they want to shore up the key holes. Here's my guess on what lies ahead:

1. OG. There are two who I like very much, Zeitler (Bengals), and Lang (Packers). Zeitler is younger, so there's a good chance the Bengals lock him up. Lang is 29, however, and they also have Tretter testing FA who is younger, so IMO they will let Lang test the waters. I would guess Lang ends up being a very high priority target for the Rams.

2. WR. I am not buying into the spin I am hearing wrt the Rams having enough at wideout. They need to add a vet here who can be relied upon and who can be a good role model for a very young corps of players. The obvious choice here would be Garcon, however of the Skins FA wideouts he is also the guy I would expect them to lock up, so we'll see if he ends up available. But I think McVay is going to go after Jeffery hard. The third guy who I see as a great fit for this team is Pryor, who is big, rangy, and just now coming into his own. Once again it's still too early to really know who will be hitting the market, but IMO we'll see the Rams going hard after those three and adding one of them.

3. NT. Many are going to disagree with me here and counter that the Rams need LBs far more. And they may be right. But as a general rule NTs aren't guys who break the bank, and they're also typically available in FA. The Rams, however, stand to gain a great amount if they add one who can step right in on defense, simply because this scheme puts enormous pressure on the ILBs to fill and take on blocks. The top target would be Williams (Ravens), who is still relatively young and coming off a down year. But there are some others who will hit the market too, and the key that the Rams will be looking for is a space eater/run stuffer because they have guys who can rush and disrupt around him.

I went back and forth with TE but I think they are going to come to the conclusion that they have the talent they need at the position. Kendricks will be a backup, and is fine there. What they might decide to go after is a guy who can block well, in the event Saffold and their depth options are not enough to get them through the year at LT. So that they can have a guy who can chip well and otherwise camp out on the left side. But I think McVay has a great handle on the TE position, and he's going to turn Higbee into a stud, so for now I'm guessing they use that FA money elsewhere and accept that 2018 is the year they draft a LT even if it means moving up.

LT is a tough deal, and that's why I think the new OL coach will try to run that reclamation project on GRob, so we'll have to wait and see there. I just don't think they're gonna throw money at a guy in his late thirties, who is really the best option out there. And overpaying a RT isn't good business either, when they do have some good RT types on the roster to develop, unless they want the flexibility, but it's still not going to address the blind side. This is why I think they build the interior of the OL this offseason.

So going back to the draft their needs would be LT, CB, ILB, DE, Center. There are more but those would be the main ones. DE and CB will both have some guys who might be able to help us in the first few rounds, value should be there. Center should be fine midrounds. LT they're SOL most likely. It's gonna be tight, so maybe they will need to bring in ILB, will be interesting to see how they decide to go.

 

[OntarioRam]

I always favor just taking the best player available, unless you are clearly set at a position. So that's what I hope the Rams do. We have enough holes on the roster that I would not be focusing on position too much right now.

 

[Corbin]

Thinking these are obvious areas FA's can help us in. I don't care how we fix this pos line we just need it fixed. The only starter I'm keeping in there is Havenstein the others I'm seeing what FA's at a decent contract so we can nab them. there is quite a few serviceable FA's this year to pretty good guys out there to be had.

Once we fix the o line or have a plan for it WR has to be next.

I'd rather have Garcone than Jefferey just because of less injury history etc. and great consistent production.

Pair him with a Kenny Stills/Wheaton that won't cost an arm and a leg and we are set with adding to what we already have.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I always favor just taking the best player available, unless you are clearly set at a position. So that's what I hope the Rams do. We have enough holes on the roster that I would not be focusing on position too much right now.

I tend to agree that the aim of the draft is to take the best player available, although when players are graded closely, more often than not you will see the team filling need first. Free Agency is all about filling holes, and since chapter 1 of free agency comes before the draft, mock drafting at this point is just for entertainment. While I see the Rams with needs at every position outside of QB, RB, TE & SS, that presents quite a challenge for our new coaches to find those quality players which best suit their system. With $44.mil in available CAP before any cuts, and what is likely to be 9 draft picks after the Comp's are revealed, our new staff should be well on their way to mending a good portion of what ails us.

When I breakdown positions where improvement can be made, what's available in free agency and the draft, and whether retaining our own free agents based in part on fitting into a new scheme, are they real gamers, or CAP cost value, ... making it work is a game in itself. As mentioned earlier, the CB position is as deep as i've seen in some time, and if we choose to re-sign Tru Johnson, it could cost close to 1/4 or our available CAP on just him. This is why I let him go. I'm actually looking for 3 CB's, both thru the draft & free agency to settle both starting and depth needs at this position.
At WR, the Rams are already stacked with young, unproven talent, this to me suggests we find that elusive quality, consistent veteran which hasn't been seen much in these parts for at least a decade, ... thru free agency. While Britt may have come out of the shadows somewhat, his consistency is still questionable, and without Fisher as a mentor, or not playing for a contract, will he continue to show improvement ? With guys like Garcon and Jeffery potentially becoming available, i'd rather go free agency at this position.
Where the Rams may need multiple positions filled, like the DL, or at LB in a 3/4 hybrid, i'd split that up between free agency and the draft. We are likely to need an LDE in either case as Hayes isn't getting any younger, and Cam Thomas is not a good fit for a Phillips type NT. LB'er needs both outside and for the interior are acute in any 3/4, so we may need up to 3 players here for starters & depth.
The OL, probably the biggest mess on the team, is a real area of controversy where fans know we must fix the problem, but are all over the place as to how to do it. Some give GRob one last shot at LT, others favor moving him inside, and there have even been a couple suggesting he be cut outright. Most agree we need a new Center, some less so inclined, and some want to replace both OG's and/or cut our highest rated (PFF) offensive lineman of 2016 (Saffold). My own belief is that 2 new players (LT & C) along with re-positioning a 3'rd is enough to complete the fix.

There will be many ideas on how to go forward with improving our team over the next 2 - 3 months, right up to the draft at the end of April, hopefully we'll see some of these posted to the draft forum with mocks and other thoughts. jmo.

 

[dolphinlover123]

When do FA acquisitions begin?

 

[Riverumbbq]

When do FA acquisitions begin?

4:00 PM, March 9

 

[jrry32]

My thoughts are (if you haven't read my one million mocks)...
1. Hit the OL hard - We need to go get at least one starting OG and consider adding a starting Center or LT. We need to be picky at LT, though. Don't pay a mediocre starter. I like Larry Warford, Ronald Leary, Kevin Zeitler, T.J. Lang, and Chance Warmack (on a "prove it" deal) at OG. At center, I like J.C. Tretter. At LT, I like Andrew Whitworth and J.C. Tretter. That's also a possibility that some more veteran LTs hit the market this offseason (Russell Okung, Ryan Clady, Kelvin Beachum, Branden Albert, Jason Peters, etc.). We need to prioritize protecting Goff.

2. Go after two veteran WRs - Even if we don't want to pay big names, we need to go after one bigger name and one lower tier guy. The bigger name guys that I like are Alshon Jeffery, Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, Torrey Smith (if cut), and Brandon Marshall (if cut). The lower tier guys that I like are Kenny Stills, Kamar Aiken, Markus Wheaton, and Kendall Wright. I'd try to pair two unlike guys. For example, I'd want to pair Pierre Garcon and Kenny Stills or DeSean Jackson and Kamar Aiken (basically, possession guy + deep threat).

3. Add one or two veteran CBs - I don't want us to have to start two rookie CBs. If we let Tru walk, I'd add a couple veteran guys. Aside from the big money FAs (Bouye, Gilmore, etc.), I like Brandon Carr, Johnathan Joseph, and Captain Munnerlyn.

4. Fill out the role player and depth spots on defense - We were hurt in 2016 because we lacked veteran depth on defense. We need to improve this. There are a number of guys that I like. Along the DL, I think Terrell McClain, Sean Lissemore (as depth), Earl Mitchell (if cut), and Sylvester Williams would make good NTs in the scheme. I think Vance Walker, Tyson Alualu, Jared Odrick (if cut), and Nick Fairley would all slot in well as rotational DEs (in addition to Easley).

At ILB, I think Todd Davis (RFA), Dekoda Watson (can play OLB as well), Manti Te'o, Keenan Robinson, Perry Riley, and Kevin Miner all make some sense depending on what Wade wants. At OLB, DeMarcus Ware, Alex Okafor, Dwight Freeney, Lerentee McCray, Courtney Upshaw, and Jarvis Jones all make sense.

Some DBs that I like are Matt Elam, D.J. Swearinger, J.J. Wilcox, Kemal Ishmael, and Shamarko Thomas as guys who could compete for a job or provide depth. Some CBs who could provide depth are Micah Hyde, Kayvon Webster, Jerraud Powers, and Mike Jenkins.

 

[rdlkgliders]

One thing that I think is certain and it is that we will be very active. The one bright spot in the Bolts to LA move is that the owners of both franchises know it is a race to market share with on field success being the greatest obtainable leverage. I am certain that this will be a very exciting off season if not then there is something brewing that I don't even want to contemplate.

 

[pmil66]

Have to move on from Saffold and Barnes, clear out the salaries for new players. Can see the rams being active in the OL area. Have jobs open. Leary at LG, and Warmack at RG would be a good start. Leary would be expensive, Warmack on a one year deal. Brown and Wichmann come back as backups. LT is difficult. Grob does not warrant having a starting job, but would bring him back to compete. A vet LT, having to overpay for 1 year to start, Grob as backup, and knowing your first rounder in 2018 will be used on a LT. At C, need to draft a player in round 3 or 4, most likely in 4, and let him battle out with a low cost vet C. Donnal seemed to be the lineman that can fill in all across the line, he would be brought back, and Havenstein starting at RT.

WR and CB need help. Jackson at WR seems a fit, CB is tougher, im sure Phillips has ideas on who could help. Need to draft a WR and 2 CB, one early, one later.

NT and LB are not as expensive, value is often found later on in Free agency.

Will be an interesting offseason, as expected with a new coaching staff and coming off a 4-12 season.

 

[Ram Pat]

My thoughts are (if you haven't read my one million mocks)...
1. Hit the OL hard - We need to go get at least one starting OG and consider adding a starting Center or LT. We need to be picky at LT, though. Don't pay a mediocre starter. I like Larry Warford, Ronald Leary, Kevin Zeitler, T.J. Lang, and Chance Warmack (on a "prove it" deal) at OG. At center, I like J.C. Tretter. At LT, I like Andrew Whitworth and J.C. Tretter. That's also a possibility that some more veteran LTs hit the market this offseason (Russell Okung, Ryan Clady, Kelvin Beachum, Branden Albert, Jason Peters, etc.). We need to prioritize protecting Goff.

2. Go after two veteran WRs - Even if we don't want to pay big names, we need to go after one bigger name and one lower tier guy. The bigger name guys that I like are Alshon Jeffery, Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, Torrey Smith (if cut), and Brandon Marshall (if cut). The lower tier guys that I like are Kenny Stills, Kamar Aiken, Markus Wheaton, and Kendall Wright. I'd try to pair two unlike guys. For example, I'd want to pair Pierre Garcon and Kenny Stills or DeSean Jackson and Kamar Aiken (basically, possession guy + deep threat).

3. Add one or two veteran CBs - I don't want us to have to start two rookie CBs. If we let Tru walk, I'd add a couple veteran guys. Aside from the big money FAs (Bouye, Gilmore, etc.), I like Brandon Carr, Johnathan Joseph, and Captain Munnerlyn.

4. Fill out the role player and depth spots on defense - We were hurt in 2016 because we lacked veteran depth on defense. We need to improve this. There are a number of guys that I like. Along the DL, I think Terrell McClain, Sean Lissemore (as depth), Earl Mitchell (if cut), and Sylvester Williams would make good NTs in the scheme. I think Vance Walker, Tyson Alualu, Jared Odrick (if cut), and Nick Fairley would all slot in well as rotational DEs (in addition to Easley).

At ILB, I think Todd Davis (RFA), Dekoda Watson (can play OLB as well), Manti Te'o, Keenan Robinson, Perry Riley, and Kevin Miner all make some sense depending on what Wade wants. At OLB, DeMarcus Ware, Alex Okafor, Dwight Freeney, Lerentee McCray, Courtney Upshaw, and Jarvis Jones all make sense.

Some DBs that I like are Matt Elam, D.J. Swearinger, J.J. Wilcox, Kemal Ishmael, and Shamarko Thomas as guys who could compete for a job or provide depth. Some CBs who could provide depth are Micah Hyde, Kayvon Webster, Jerraud Powers, and Mike Jenkins.

Agree,

 

[Ram Pat]

the most common with ALL the good OL's is the center. Mack should be in LA...but. Wr is gonna be tough, FA are old and gonna be overpaid. Stills may be good option

 

[bubbaramfan]

Rams already have two that can play DT in a 3-4. Brockers and Cam Thomas.

 

[DaveFan'51]

My thoughts are (if you haven't read my one million mocks)...
1. Hit the OL hard - We need to go get at least one starting OG and consider adding a starting Center or LT. We need to be picky at LT, though. Don't pay a mediocre starter. I like Larry Warford, Ronald Leary, Kevin Zeitler, T.J. Lang, and Chance Warmack (on a "prove it" deal) at OG. At center, I like J.C. Tretter. At LT, I like Andrew Whitworth and J.C. Tretter. That's also a possibility that some more veteran LTs hit the market this offseason (Russell Okung, Ryan Clady, Kelvin Beachum, Branden Albert, Jason Peters, etc.). We need to prioritize protecting Goff.

2. Go after two veteran WRs - Even if we don't want to pay big names, we need to go after one bigger name and one lower tier guy. The bigger name guys that I like are Alshon Jeffery, Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, Torrey Smith (if cut), and Brandon Marshall (if cut). The lower tier guys that I like are Kenny Stills, Kamar Aiken, Markus Wheaton, and Kendall Wright. I'd try to pair two unlike guys. For example, I'd want to pair Pierre Garcon and Kenny Stills or DeSean Jackson and Kamar Aiken (basically, possession guy + deep threat).

3. Add one or two veteran CBs - I don't want us to have to start two rookie CBs. If we let Tru walk, I'd add a couple veteran guys. Aside from the big money FAs (Bouye, Gilmore, etc.), I like Brandon Carr, Johnathan Joseph, and Captain Munnerlyn.

4. Fill out the role player and depth spots on defense - We were hurt in 2016 because we lacked veteran depth on defense. We need to improve this. There are a number of guys that I like. Along the DL, I think Terrell McClain, Sean Lissemore (as depth), Earl Mitchell (if cut), and Sylvester Williams would make good NTs in the scheme. I think Vance Walker, Tyson Alualu, Jared Odrick (if cut), and Nick Fairley would all slot in well as rotational DEs (in addition to Easley).

At ILB, I think Todd Davis (RFA), Dekoda Watson (can play OLB as well), Manti Te'o, Keenan Robinson, Perry Riley, and Kevin Miner all make some sense depending on what Wade wants. At OLB, DeMarcus Ware, Alex Okafor, Dwight Freeney, Lerentee McCray, Courtney Upshaw, and Jarvis Jones all make sense.

Some DBs that I like are Matt Elam, D.J. Swearinger, J.J. Wilcox, Kemal Ishmael, and Shamarko Thomas as guys who could compete for a job or provide depth. Some CBs who could provide depth are Micah Hyde, Kayvon Webster, Jerraud Powers, and Mike Jenkins.

Lots of good "Food-for-thought" here^^! I like! But I would add, we need a really good Pass-Rushing LDE!! Hayes is great in Rotational relief BUT, IMHO, he doesn't Cut it as a starter! Not at all as good as Chris Long, in his prime! Our "D" suffered without a good complement to Quinn!

 

[dolphinlover123]

My thoughts are (if you haven't read my one million mocks)...
1. Hit the OL hard

2. Go after two veteran WRs

3. Add one or two veteran CBs

4. Fill out the role player and depth spots on defense

I agree.
1 top quality veteran WR (i don't mind paying a lot. right now we really need one.)
2 veteran OL's
2 veteran CB's
And then if we have any $$ left over, I'd want more depth in certain positions (DL?)

For the draft,
OL,CB in draft rounds 1-4
WR or TE in round 4-5
Again, rest would be DL and depth.

 

[jrry32]

Lots of good "Food-for-thought" here^^! I like! But I would add, we need a really good Pass-Rushing LDE!! Hayes is great in Rotational relief BUT, IMHO, he doesn't Cut it as a starter! Not at all as good as Chris Long, in his prime! Our "D" suffered without a good complement to Quinn!

I agree. Although, with Phillips moving to the 3-4, it would be a LOLB. I really like T.J. Watt at that spot.

 

[DaveFan'51]

I agree. Although, with Phillips moving to the 3-4, it would be a LOLB. I really like T.J. Watt at that spot.

I'm not convinced Phillips will change the Rams to a 3-4 his 1st year here! He has taken over 4-3 D's several times in his career and gone to the Playoffs his 1st year, but I don't know how many of those he actually changed to a 3-4 D. Do you know? Can anyone tell me!?

 

[jrry32]

I'm not convinced Phillips will change the Rams to a 3-4 his 1st year here! He has taken over 4-3 D's several times in his career and gone to the Playoffs his 1st year, but I don't know how many of those he actually changed to a 3-4 D. Do you know? Can anyone tell me!?

As far as I know, he changed all of them to 3-4 defenses. I think he implied already that is his plan here.

 

[Mackeyser]

As far as I know, he changed all of them to 3-4 defenses. I think he implied already that is his plan here.

it's the plan, it's always a transition that uses existing talent and THEY ALWAYS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS!!!

yeah...I'm down with that plan!!!

 

[DaveFan'51]

As far as I know, he changed all of them to 3-4 defenses. I think he implied already that is his plan here.

The only real quote I have heard was he said he schemes according to his players strengths! I don't see any clue in that.

 

[jrry32]

The only real quote I have heard was he said he schemes according to his players strengths! I don't see any clue in that.

As I recall, the quote said that he's converted 4-3 defenses to 3-4 defenses in the majority of his stops and made the playoffs.