OFFICIAL 2022 NFL trades, cuts, free agents, and more

[Tano]

He is just a jag. No pun intended

He was a jag

Now he is an unemployed jag

Sorry I just couldn't help myself

 

[ReekofRams]

He was a jag

Now he is an unemployed jag

Sorry I just couldn't help myself

Pun intended

 

[thirteen28]

Well that didn't last long..


View: https://twitter.com/pfrumors/status/1601312628130910208?t=1_Ggyt2NIj_L3AdOjMmk8A&s=19

Wow, doesn't seem like they really gave him a chance. I know he's not Gurley or anything, but he's too talented to not end up somewhere in this league.

 

[Psycho_X]

RBs careers are fast and fleeting, if you blink you'll miss most of them.

 

[NCRamGuy]

Just saw that the Raiders cut John Simpson, RG. He was their 4rh rd pick. Now hear me out, kid for schooled by Rama, but he plays for the Raiders poor guy

Dude is a young prev. 4th rd pick, I say Rams should claim him. We need the OL depth. Could be a future lineman like that Zachary Thomas guy we signed from Chicago.


"It seems unlikely Simpson clears waivers considering he is under contract for 2023 with a base salary of $1.01 million and only $199,195 in guaranteed money remaining" - Yahoo Sports


View: https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1601397766395400192?t=9SBwS6rTByzFB8xeveufnQ&s=19

 

[Allen2McVay]

Just saw that the Raiders cut John Simpson, RG. He was their 4rh rd pick. Now hear me out, kid for schooled by Rama, but he plays for the Raiders poor guy

Dude is a young prev. 4th rd pick, I say Rams should claim him. We need the OL depth. Could be a future lineman like that Zachary Thomas guy we signed from Chicago.


"It seems unlikely Simpson clears waivers considering he is under contract for 2023 with a base salary of $1.01 million and only $199,195 in guaranteed money remaining" - Yahoo Sports


View: https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1601397766395400192?t=9SBwS6rTByzFB8xeveufnQ&s=19

You can't just pick-up a player. You need to create a roster space.

What do you want the Rams to do? Waive Bobby Evans!?!? Wait a second ...

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

You can't just pick-up a player. You need to create a roster space.

What do you want the Rams to do? Waive Bobby Evans!?!? Wait a second ...

God no!

 

[FaulkSF]

Just saw that the Raiders cut John Simpson, RG. He was their 4rh rd pick. Now hear me out, kid for schooled by Rama, but he plays for the Raiders poor guy

Dude is a young prev. 4th rd pick, I say Rams should claim him. We need the OL depth. Could be a future lineman like that Zachary Thomas guy we signed from Chicago.


"It seems unlikely Simpson clears waivers considering he is under contract for 2023 with a base salary of $1.01 million and only $199,195 in guaranteed money remaining" - Yahoo Sports


View: https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1601397766395400192?t=9SBwS6rTByzFB8xeveufnQ&s=19

I saw a few plays where he had some good down field blocks at the second level. Can we place a claim and sign him to a futures contract? Immediate upgrade over Evans and Bruss (until he's off IR and adjusts to NFL).

 

[Allen2McVay]

Seriously, as NCRamGuy suggests, I would have no problem with the Rams using their high waiver-claim status to pick-up a 25-year old guard who was the 109th pick in 2020 (Bruss was the 104th pick in 2022).

I remember Simpson coming-out of Clemson in 2020 (teammate of the Rams' Tremayne Anchrum, who was a 7th round pick that same Draft) but all I know about Simpson is that he has excellent size and was well thought of by Dabo Swinney (little cut-and-paste below).

I believe you really have to watch O-Line-play to have a knowledgeable opinion on a player. There's no team ... other than the Rams ... that I watch enough to have an informed opinion. I have already seen the Rams-Raiders game three times but will watch Simpson closely next time I replay the game (Simpson replaced Alex Bars who was injured in the first quarter).

What I think I know is that the Rams should be thin at guard heading into the 2023 off-season.

Best guesses right now are that Evans, Edwards, Skura and Aboushi will not be re-signed. That leaves Shelton, Bruss, Anchrum and Brewer. I have some hope for the young guys but the simple truth is that Bruss, Anchrum and Brewer combined have just two more NFL starts than @Elmgrovegnome.

Shelton might be best suited to compete with Allen for the starting-center-spot, with Shelton also serving as a swing-interior-OL as he did in 2021.

I know fans want big improvement at O-Line. Me Too! I think a lot of fans also want big changes on the O-Line. I just don't know if that's practical and realistic. The Rams figure to have only two picks (unless there are trades) under the top-100, with a high #2 and a high #3.

They will make some roster moves and do some re-structures but they are unlikely to be major players in Free Agency. Have read a few times that 'the Rams need to bring-in a top-LT' but I don't see one hitting free agency. If one did, there would be plenty of teams interested and most would have more cap-space than the Rams. If one became available via trade, the Rams would lack the 2023 #1 another team could offer. Perhaps their high #2 this coming Draft would be enough but such a player would likely carry a big cap hit.

Below is a short Wikipedia excerpt on Jon Simpson:
"Simpson was chosen by head coach Dabo Swinney to represent Clemson at the ACC's 2019 media day. He gained national coverage by a wearing a blonde wig to imitate the team's starting quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, whom most members of the media had expected to be Clemson's player representative.
He was named preseason first-team All-ACC and to the Outland Trophy watchlist entering the season. He was also listed as the second-best offensive guard prospect for the 2020 NFL Draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper. Simpson was named a first-team midseason All-American by the Associated Press. Simpson was the only offensive guard to be named a consensus first-team All-American for the 2019 season."

 

[Allen2McVay]

Can we place a claim and sign him to a futures contract?

Since Simpson is only in the third-year of his rookie contract, I would guess that any team picking him up off waivers, would similarly pick-up that rookie contract which includes 2023.

 

[NCRamGuy]

The thing with john Simpson, it can't hurt. We need oline help and the guy is young.

Our season is about seeing what we're made of. So might as well claim him and start him and Zachary Thomas.

Throw shit to the wall and see what sticks and see if they are worth keeping and training up.

My argument is, "Why Not?"

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Seriously, as NCRamGuy suggests, I would have no problem with the Rams using their high waiver-claim status to pick-up a 25-year old guard who was the 109th pick in 2020 (Bruss was the 104th pick in 2022).

I remember Simpson coming-out of Clemson in 2020 (teammate of the Rams' Tremayne Anchrum, who was a 7th round pick that same Draft) but all I know about Simpson is that he has excellent size and was well thought of by Dabo Swinney (little cut-and-paste below).

I believe you really have to watch O-Line-play to have a knowledgeable opinion on a player. There's no team ... other than the Rams ... that I watch enough to have an informed opinion. I have already seen the Rams-Raiders game three times but will watch Simpson closely next time I replay the game (Simpson replaced Alex Bars who was injured in the first quarter).

What I think I know is that the Rams should be thin at guard heading into the 2023 off-season.

Best guesses right now are that Evans, Edwards, Skura and Aboushi will not be re-signed. That leaves Shelton, Bruss, Anchrum and Brewer. I have some hope for the young guys but the simple truth is that Bruss, Anchrum and Brewer combined have just two more NFL starts than @Elmgrovegnome.

Shelton might be best suited to compete with Allen for the starting-center-spot, with Shelton also serving as a swing-interior-OL as he did in 2021.

I know fans want big improvement at O-Line. Me Too! I think a lot of fans also want big changes on the O-Line. I just don't know if that's practical and realistic. The Rams figure to have only two picks (unless there are trades) under the top-100, with a high #2 and a high #3.

They will make some roster moves and do some re-structures but they are unlikely to be major players in Free Agency. Have read a few times that 'the Rams need to bring-in a top-LT' but I don't see one hitting free agency. If one did, there would be plenty of teams interested and most would have more cap-space than the Rams. If one became available via trade, the Rams would lack the 2023 #1 another team could offer. Perhaps their high #2 this coming Draft would be enough but such a player would likely carry a big cap hit.

Below is a short Wikipedia excerpt on Jon Simpson:
"Simpson was chosen by head coach Dabo Swinney to represent Clemson at the ACC's 2019 media day. He gained national coverage by a wearing a blonde wig to imitate the team's starting quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, whom most members of the media had expected to be Clemson's player representative.
He was named preseason first-team All-ACC and to the Outland Trophy watchlist entering the season. He was also listed as the second-best offensive guard prospect for the 2020 NFL Draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper. Simpson was named a first-team midseason All-American by the Associated Press. Simpson was the only offensive guard to be named a consensus first-team All-American for the 2019 season."

I don’t think the need is at OLT. Aleric Jackson looks more than capable. I’m not familiar with his injury history though. I hope Noteboom isn’t the OLT but I’m guessing that will be the case.

I agree on the backups. Who knows how they’d play? Fans and coaches saw a few game run of Noteboom and felt he’d be a good OLT. But as I said during that period of adoration for Noteboom, backups are often overlooked by opponents and once a player becomes a starter that’s when teams dissect them.

Another consideration is Havenstein. How many more years does he have? Can the Rams really rely on another udfa in Arcuri to fill a starters position in the future? Big Rob looked slow versus Max Crosby.

So they possible go from:
Whitworth -retired
Edwards -posdibly retiring not good
Allen -average with a bad knee
Corbett - moved on
Havenstein - starting to slow down?

To what? A bunch of backups? It’s not a great situation to be in. At least Jackson and Shelton appear to be decent if they stay healthy.

You listed the options. It looks pretty bleak.

I’d sign whomever they can that holds promise.

When I said “God no!” I was sarcastically referring to releasing Evans.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I don’t think the need is at OLT. Aleric Jackson looks more than capable. I’m not familiar with his injury history though. I hope Noteboom isn’t the OLT but I’m guessing that will be the case.

I agree on the backups. Who knows how they’d play? Fans and coaches saw a few game run of Noteboom and felt he’d be a good OLT. But as I said during that period of adoration for Noteboom, backups are often overlooked by opponents and once a player becomes a starter that’s when teams dissect them.

Another consideration is Havenstein. How many more years does he have? Can the Rams really rely on another udfa in Arcuri to fill a starters position in the future? Big Rob looked slow versus Max Crosby.

So they possible go from:
Whitworth -retired
Edwards -posdibly retiring not good
Allen -average with a bad knee
Corbett - moved on
Havenstein - starting to slow down?

To what? A bunch of backups? It’s not a great situation to be in. At least Jackson and Shelton appear to be decent if they stay healthy.

You listed the options. It looks pretty bleak.

I’d sign whomever they can that holds promise.

When I said “God no!” I was sarcastically referring to releasing Evans.

I am just trying to be realistic about the moves the Rams can make to up-grade the O-Line.

Assuming Alaric Jackson is 'more than capable' is very possible but maybe a little optimistic. I mean the guy has two career starts at Left Tackle, and went on Injured Reserve with blood clots.

Just suggesting that the best the Rams can do might be a combination of Jackson and Noteboom at LT; and Allen and Shelton at Center. If all four are healthy (perhaps a 6-7% chance of that), then two start with two in key reserve roles (all but Allen are versatile); and maybe one of the non-starters competes at Guard.

I have to admit, I am a little disappointed by your response. I could have inserted the name of a number of other posters in place of your handle on the crack about 'Bruss, Anchrum and Brewer only having two more NFL starts' than you. You know, theses "Pearls-of-Humor" don't just happen.

We were both being sarcastic on Evans. That's because we are Funny Guys! That's why I referenced you!

 

[dang]

Whit was the needed “boost” to the OL in 2017. Rams need a similar boost to start the revamped OL. That won’t likely happen via the Rams 2023 draft. So McSnead need to get creative and start working on that boost now.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I am just trying to be realistic about the moves the Rams can make to up-grade the O-Line.

Assuming Alaric Jackson is 'more than capable' is very possible but maybe a little optimistic. I mean the guy has two career starts at Left Tackle, and went on Injured Reserve with blood clots.

Just suggesting that the best the Rams can do might be a combination of Jackson and Noteboom at LT; and Allen and Shelton at Center. If all four are healthy (perhaps a 6-7% chance of that), then two start with two in key reserve roles (all but Allen are versatile); and maybe one of the non-starters competes at Guard.

I have to admit, I am a little disappointed by your response. I could have inserted the name of a number of other posters in place of your handle on the crack about 'Bruss, Anchrum and Brewer only having two more NFL starts' than you. You know, theses "Pearls-of-Humor" don't just happen.

We were both being sarcastic on Evans. That's because we are Funny Guys! That's why I referenced you!

Oh I understand the real vs fantasy end of it. Cap space is an issue. Plus, McVay seems to latch onto guys as long as they work hard. It seems that way anyway. It’s the guys that get lazy that piss him off.

On the Oline thread I said I expect them to do very little. Their limited with free agents, and I don’t believe that Snead is the draft guru that he’s made out to be. So, I’m not getting my expectations too high with drafting a starter.

The best Olines have a couple of studs. An average Olineman with one or two sub par guys next to him drags down his own play. A great one can elevate the play of those next to him. I don’t think that, aside from AJ possibly, the Rams have any studs on their line. They desperately need an anchor.

 

[Allen2McVay]

The thing with john Simpson, it can't hurt. We need oline help and the guy is young.

Our season is about seeing what we're made of. So might as well claim him and start him and Zachary Thomas.

Throw shit to the wall and see what sticks and see if they are worth keeping and training up.

My argument is, "Why Not?"

Assuming the Rams did not have a poor grade on Simpson in 2020, I would be on-board with a waiver claim because he is young, under contract, cheap and plays a position where the Rams may not have depth to open the off-season.

Not in agreement about throwing Simpson, or Thomas into starting roles just to see what happens.

Weak offensive lines, even if it's mostly a lack of continuity from not playing together, destroy an offense (the 2022 Rams, for example). Can also get skill position players hit too often and injured (Stafford), or make ball-carriers so miserable by the lack of holes to run-through that it impacts their attitude (possibly Akers and/or Henderson).

If the Rams O-Line is not at least adequate on Sunday, the coaches may be unable to evaluate Mayfield, Akers, Williams and the young Wide receivers.

The O-Line was OK against the Raiders, with two projected starters (Allen and Shelton) healthy, and two veteran street free agents (Skura and Nsekhe) possibly ... and finally ... somewhat integrated in the line-up.

I'm thing more about what we don't see. Practices, drills, meeting rooms and locker-room. First, let the coaching evaluate whether the player has something they can work with and develop.

 

[BonifayRam]

Ref. FA OG John Simpson ...the Rams are happy with the current OG's of RG Shelton/ Swing OG Evans/ LG Skura & RG Aboushi.

I think there is a very good possibility we will see this same weak OL unit next season. I agree with @Elmgrovegnome on this OL & have little hope that much can be done to remedy this OL situation that Snead/ McVay/ Carberry have placed the Rams in.

I would think the Rams main goal in 2023 is to find continuity using the same Ol'ers minus some of the OL'ers presently missing like LT's Noteboom & Jackson. The 2023 OL UFA's are not weighed down with many talents. So not much can be had from overpaying for a veteran OL'er when a team has zero cap funds to use.

Jackson's condition can be life-threatening & there is a very good chance that Jackson will not play in 2023 season.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Ref. FA OG John Simpson ...the Rams are happy with the current OG's of RG Shelton/ Swing OG Evans/ LG Skura & RG Aboushi.

'Happy'. Really? Could we maybe tone it down to "Mildly Content" ...

Kidding aside, I don't expect a waiver claim on Simpson; and was not thinking about any impact for the final four games. Agree that the Rams would be OK if the current starting-five can stay together for one month.

Also agree that it's not realistic for the Rams to make major changes on the O-line.

Just don't see many 2023 guard options. Don't expect Evans, Skura or Aboushi back. Shelton may be needed at Center. That would leave three, unproven players (Bruss, Anchrum and Brewer), and all three are on season-ending-IR. Jackson could be a guard option but he may be needed at LT; and is also on season-ending-IR.

I think Simpson's 2023 cap hit would be less than $1M, and none of it guaranteed.

 

[Allen2McVay]

He is just a jag. No pun intended

Kind of sad when you consider his college teammate was Tony Pollard, who was drafted 58 picks after Henderson in that draft; and several posters have suggested the Rams make a play for Pollard in free agency.

 

[payote75]

I believe noteboom will not be back at LT possibly even on the team. The rams will not take chances without a stud LT and possibly more next year with Stafford for winning purposes as well as just his health in general. They will figure out whatever they need to make this o-line keep Stafford healthy.

And yes I'd claim Jim as well.