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Rams play it safe in free agency by re-signing their own
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...t-safe-in-free-agency-by-re-signing-their-own
Though it was expensive to keep Trumaine Johnson, he gives the Rams some security at cornerback.
A breakdown of the first week of free agency for the Los Angeles Rams.
Most significant signing: CB Trumaine Johnson -- The Rams simply couldn't afford to lose both of their starting cornerbacks in free agency, especially after spending the past four years developing them. They opted for Johnson in part because he's a bit younger and brings more size. It took the franchise tag and a nearly $14 million price tag to make it happen, but the Rams would have faced a major dilemma and plenty of competition had both starters hit the open market.
Most significant loss: CB Janoris Jenkins -- Yes, keeping Johnson softens the blow of losing Jenkins to the New York Giants, but that doesn't mean losing Jenkins doesn't hurt. The Rams wanted to keep both cornerbacks, but Jenkins' price soared to a place the Rams weren't willing to go. Although he has had his warts, Jenkins has been one of the defense's top playmakers for the past four years and is coming off his best season in 2015. The Rams have some depth, and if E.J. Gaines returns to full strength, they should be able to get by -- but think of how well-stocked they would have been at cornerback had they been able to keep Jenkins.
Player they should have signed: S Rodney McLeod -- Though the Rams were equipped to deal with the loss of one of their cornerbacks, the same can't be said of free safety. They signed McLeod as an undrafted free agent and molded him into a solid NFL starter at a position where those are hard to find. By the time McLeod hit the open market, his price went above what the Rams were comfortable paying. But this is one instance when the Rams should have been willing to extend themselves a bit to keep a solid player who still has upside. Instead, free safety can now be added to the list of team needs heading toward the draft.
What's next: The first wave of free agency is over and teams are now bargain-hunting for players who can help, but certainly won't transform the franchise. The Rams aren't going to find the substantial offensive help they need, but locating cheaper, short-term options for depth at all levels of the defense and at tight end would be a good place to start. It would also allow them to mostly focus their draft efforts on bolstering an offense in serious need of help.
Overall grade: C -- It's hard to blame the Rams for staying out of the fray on overpriced free agents who might have been marginal upgrades over what they have in place, at best. Keeping key pieces like Johnson, Mark Barron and William Hayes was important, but losing Jenkins and McLeod balances out those re-signings. After losing that duo, it would have made sense for the Rams to reallocate some of those funds to someone like tight end Ladarius Green, a young player with upside who didn't break the bank.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...t-safe-in-free-agency-by-re-signing-their-own
Though it was expensive to keep Trumaine Johnson, he gives the Rams some security at cornerback.
A breakdown of the first week of free agency for the Los Angeles Rams.
Most significant signing: CB Trumaine Johnson -- The Rams simply couldn't afford to lose both of their starting cornerbacks in free agency, especially after spending the past four years developing them. They opted for Johnson in part because he's a bit younger and brings more size. It took the franchise tag and a nearly $14 million price tag to make it happen, but the Rams would have faced a major dilemma and plenty of competition had both starters hit the open market.
Most significant loss: CB Janoris Jenkins -- Yes, keeping Johnson softens the blow of losing Jenkins to the New York Giants, but that doesn't mean losing Jenkins doesn't hurt. The Rams wanted to keep both cornerbacks, but Jenkins' price soared to a place the Rams weren't willing to go. Although he has had his warts, Jenkins has been one of the defense's top playmakers for the past four years and is coming off his best season in 2015. The Rams have some depth, and if E.J. Gaines returns to full strength, they should be able to get by -- but think of how well-stocked they would have been at cornerback had they been able to keep Jenkins.
Player they should have signed: S Rodney McLeod -- Though the Rams were equipped to deal with the loss of one of their cornerbacks, the same can't be said of free safety. They signed McLeod as an undrafted free agent and molded him into a solid NFL starter at a position where those are hard to find. By the time McLeod hit the open market, his price went above what the Rams were comfortable paying. But this is one instance when the Rams should have been willing to extend themselves a bit to keep a solid player who still has upside. Instead, free safety can now be added to the list of team needs heading toward the draft.
What's next: The first wave of free agency is over and teams are now bargain-hunting for players who can help, but certainly won't transform the franchise. The Rams aren't going to find the substantial offensive help they need, but locating cheaper, short-term options for depth at all levels of the defense and at tight end would be a good place to start. It would also allow them to mostly focus their draft efforts on bolstering an offense in serious need of help.
Overall grade: C -- It's hard to blame the Rams for staying out of the fray on overpriced free agents who might have been marginal upgrades over what they have in place, at best. Keeping key pieces like Johnson, Mark Barron and William Hayes was important, but losing Jenkins and McLeod balances out those re-signings. After losing that duo, it would have made sense for the Rams to reallocate some of those funds to someone like tight end Ladarius Green, a young player with upside who didn't break the bank.
