Dante Fowler

[OldSchool]

I cannot see the Rams being able to pay Fowler and Ramsey. Our 2020 cap space is pretty much after draft signings will be about 16 mil. Signing Fowler would mean losing Littleton, Greg Z and Brockers. I suspect we instead will resign Greg Z and Littleton.

The $22 million (roughly) we are talked about having in this thread is accounting for current draft picks.

 

[BonifayRam]

Don't hold your breath. You do realize that Fox is also going to be a free agent following this season ? While he and Lawler may share some early 5T snaps while a rookie is getting up to speed, i'll be very surprised if the Rams don't seek a bigger player with starting potential with that first pick of theirs. With 2 expected 3'rd round draft picks, I wouldn't be shocked if they traded one to move up in the 2'nd to secure a higher quality player. jmo.

Good Tuesday Morning River....

Yes DE Morgan Fox does enter FA'cy in March but the good news is he is a RFA not a UFA. I do not foresee Fox getting a Cory Littleton offer of $3.1 mil for 1 yr. However, I do see something close to what this past off season RFA Troy Hill was offered.... 2 year $3.3million contract. The chance & opportunity to be a starter with Aaron Donald. Fox as you well know was a UDFA.

I believe a 2nd round tender is out of the question because he has never been a starter like Littleton. Wade/ Henderson will suffer the loss of a starter in the DL does have Donald/ Gaines/ Joseph-Day/ Smart under contract. 5 tech Copeland stands a very good chance to be resigned too. That's five & Fox would be 6.

Like you I would expect Snead to draft another DL somewhere around where DL Gaines was taken this past draft. Mentioning Greg Gaines...he was inactive this past Sunday. GG has only been active for 3 of the 7 Ram games thus far. The talented Edge Rusher cadre continue to take snaps away from DL'ers GG & Smart. Expect GG to play a much larger role in this DL in 2020 with Brockers departed.

Highly probable that Rams secure both Fox & Copeland both 5 tech DL'ers for 2020. The rest of the DL & reserves remain the same. With SJD & GG entering 2nd seasons, young vets Smart & Fox entering 4th seasons & AD in his 7th along with Copeland that's a good nucleus to build on. I see no real issue with a lack of talent & abilities in that DL.

Seems like we are also on the same page in our future thoughts on ER Justin Lawler who is still stewing on the IR after foot surgery......I would expect him with his overall size & power to move to the DL in the 5 tech position. JL came into the NFL in 2018 @ 43 DL size. JL plays more like a DT than an end, being a power lifter. Strength to set the edge, If he has a future in the NFL it will be as a 5 tech DE in this defense. I expect to see him playing @ around 275lbs being over 6-4 fits with what Wade likes.

My prediction is Snead will NOT utilize any of his 2nd day draft selections on a 5 tech DL in this upcoming draft.

 

[max]

I think Kupp is going to get the market value of a very good WR. I expect it to cost a pretty penny.

That’s ok. Whatever his value is on the open market the Rams will pay a little less in an extension.

It won’t be WR1 money like Cooks got, and Cooks is not remotely close to the top quality WR1s in his salary range. Cooks got that money mostly because of elite speed. He’s not elusive, he doesn’t win contested balls, he’s not a red zone threat, and he’s got a concussion issue.

Kupp is the best slow WR in the NFL. And he has a special connection with a Goff. You find a way to extend him. He won’t cost anywhere near what Cooks did, yet he’s more valuable to the Rams.

 

[max]

The Rams are gonna save money on JJohnson. He wasn’t playing very well this year, and now probably is out for the season. My guess is he’s not extended.

 

[Ramstien]

It won’t be WR1 money like Cooks got, and Cooks is not remotely close to the top quality WR1s in his salary range. Cooks got that money mostly because of elite speed. He’s not elusive, he doesn’t win contested balls, he’s not a red zone threat, and he’s got a concussion issue.

Like I've said before, it would not surprise me if Cooks is moved if for no other reason than salary cap relief. Wonder if the Pats checked into his availability before trading for Sanu.

 

[max]

Like I've said before, it would not surprise me if Cooks is moved if for no other reason than salary cap relief. Wonder if the Pats checked into his availability before trading for Sanu.

The Pats don’t have the cap space.

 

[BonifayRam]

STOCK UP

Dante Fowler has been a steady if unspectacular contributor to the Rams' defense this season, but the pass rusher on a one-year contract came through spectacularly against the Falcons with a career-high three sacks and a team-leading seven tackles. While Donald was the engine driving LA's constant pressure, Fowler's big-play skills resurfaced and wrecked Atlanta's offense. A few more games like it, and Rams fans will increase their clamor to lock him down on a long-term deal.

Road warriors: Rams reclaim their game with help from Ramsey

Jalen Ramsey's impact on the Los Angeles Rams was immediate and obvious. The Rams (4-3) emphatically ended their three-game skid with a 37-10 win at Atlanta on Sunday in the debut of Ramsey, the elite cornerback acquired last week to energize their season. Ramsey had four tackles and forced a...

sports.yahoo.com

 

[fearsomefour]

Right now they have $23M in cap space for next yr and that includes the $5M they can rollover into next season.

So that does not count guys like Whitworth because they are no longer under contract in 2020.

So they have $23M plus any space created by releasing players like Weddle ($4M), Matthews ($2.4M), Hill $3M, Roby-Coleman ($4M).

Those are your only real candidates for adding cap space.

Of course you could also restructure guys, but that bites you in the ass down the road.

So it doesn't matter that guys like Whitworth are coming off the books because they are already not included in the reported cap numbers for next year.

Exactly.
There are no meaningful cuts available for next year.
All those guys listed are more valuable at their salaries than freeing up a little space.

 

[fearsomefour]

The Rams are gonna save money on JJohnson. He wasn’t playing very well this year, and now probably is out for the season. My guess is he’s not extended.

Umm.......huh?

 

[max]

Umm.......huh?

What dont you get?

 

[Jacobarch]

I think some things are gonna have to happen with restructuring some guys if we want to keep guys like Kupp, Ramsey, JJ, Fowler and Littleton.

Obviously Brockers and Talib are gone. Brockers is overpaid and under performs IMO, whiles he's solid he's just not worth his weight in gold. Talib is long in the tooth and you can see it, While he's again solid he is often injured and doesn't play with the same tenacity he's brought in years past. Whitworth is obviously in his last year. People keep on saying he's slowed down and it's showing on the field. Ehhhhh, He's still playing well above average, but he's only going to play as well as his Guard next to him. Now that Edwards is an obvious upgrade his play should slightly stabilize.

Restructuring is going to be key in signing guys like Fowler, Littleton and Ramsey, and I think the Rams FO is going to have to start with Gurely. If he is truly injured and he obviously is in some fashion they need to restructure him, or at least try. If he's not playing, it's dead money. Seriously, think about it. If Gurely is only going to continue getting 10 to 15 rushes a game it is very irresponsible to pay a guy top money that never see's the field. I know it may be an impossible task as we can't cut him because it's dead money and he still offers a decent amount on the field.
I'd also go after Goff, if he continues to play at a average level I would restructure him to make room for others that can help get us back to the SB, and Ramsey is a must.

One thing I'm nervous about is Fowler. He seems like the type of player to cool off after getting a big payday. You have to remember this is his contract year he is giving it his all at this point to get as much as he can when it comes time to sign a new deal. While he had a monster game last weekend he also played against a very bad Falcons team that might have started to crap the bed. If I were the Rams I wouldn't overpay him, he's a solid player but lets see how he finishes the season and see if he lives up to his draft status.

Oh and Hill, I don't know why some of you think he's going to get cut next year. So far he's played well this year. And he's cheap. Last time I checked you dont cut a guy who's cheap and can come in a play as an above average corner.
If there's one guy I expect to be cut it's NRC. He's so erratic in his play I can't really put my finger on whether he's a good or bad player. He was lost in the Bucks game, and often lost in the SF game. While he has his moments he has proven he is anything but consistent and for what he's getting paid he needs to play better ball. Ok that is all...

 

[dang]

IMO Troy Hill isn't the caliber starter you want. Also I can see Nickell being traded or released because he's not worth what he's being paid. They have Darious Williams who probably is a better slot CB. Williams timed as low as 4.3 speed with excellent agility to match in coverage. Nickell is too much like Peters. He's always trying to make a splash play and simply can't be counted on to play the scheme. That's why he got beat more than once in the NFC Championship game.

Next year David Long will start opposite Ramsey. This will finally give Wade the two press man coverage boundary CBs that he loves. David Long runs a 4.45, with an outstanding 6.45 3 cone (agility). This kid has the talent to be outstanding. The Rams will have two very fast and agile boundary CBs. To give you a comparison Ramsey ran a 4.41, and a very good 6.94 3 cone time.

Long hasn't played this year yet because he came in raw and they had other options. But you have to wonder if they won't unleash this CB combo after the bye week. If that's their intention then we should see David Long in rotation with Hill this next game.

Troy's problem is two fold. First he has only average speed for the position running a 4.55 but he lacks the burst coming out of breaks to match receivers who do have that burst. It's why they always gain separation with a crisp route. It's why they left him outside and not inside and went with Roby-Coleman as the slot CB. Hill is due for a raise to $3.4M next year. I don't see him getting that unless he improves his game. But he's shown he's strictly a zone CB not a press man CB. That makes him like Peters, not particularly compatible to Wade's scheme as a starter.

100% disagree on NRC. He should extended for a reasonable price. I do agree that unless Hill improves we don’t want to count on him starting longer than absolutely needed.

 

[RamsInfiniti]

What dont you get?

Don't get why you think a top 10 safety in the league would not be extended. There are mitigating circumstances regarding his average play this season and the injury is irrelevant.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Good Tuesday Morning River....

Yes DE Morgan Fox does enter FA'cy in March but the good news is he is a RFA not a UFA. I do not foresee Fox getting a Cory Littleton offer of $3.1 mil for 1 yr. However, I do see something close to what this past off season RFA Troy Hill was offered.... 2 year $3.3million contract. The chance & opportunity to be a starter with Aaron Donald. Fox as you well know was a UDFA.

I believe a 2nd round tender is out of the question because he has never been a starter like Littleton. Wade/ Henderson will suffer the loss of a starter in the DL does have Donald/ Gaines/ Joseph-Day/ Smart under contract. 5 tech Copeland stands a very good chance to be resigned too. That's five & Fox would be 6.

Like you I would expect Snead to draft another DL somewhere around where DL Gaines was taken this past draft. Mentioning Greg Gaines...he was inactive this past Sunday. GG has only been active for 3 of the 7 Ram games thus far. The talented Edge Rusher cadre continue to take snaps away from DL'ers GG & Smart. Expect GG to play a much larger role in this DL in 2020 with Brockers departed.

Highly probable that Rams secure both Fox & Copeland both 5 tech DL'ers for 2020. The rest of the DL & reserves remain the same. With SJD & GG entering 2nd seasons, young vets Smart & Fox entering 4th seasons & AD in his 7th along with Copeland that's a good nucleus to build on. I see no real issue with a lack of talent & abilities in that DL.

Seems like we are also on the same page in our future thoughts on ER Justin Lawler who is still stewing on the IR after foot surgery......I would expect him with his overall size & power to move to the DL in the 5 tech position. JL came into the NFL in 2018 @ 43 DL size. JL plays more like a DT than an end, being a power lifter. Strength to set the edge, If he has a future in the NFL it will be as a 5 tech DE in this defense. I expect to see him playing @ around 275lbs being over 6-4 fits with what Wade likes.

My prediction is Snead will NOT utilize any of his 2nd day draft selections on a 5 tech DL in this upcoming draft.

Well, it looks like we've finally found something to disagree about. While I suspect that Fox will return being an RFA, he doesn't offer the flexibility of a Brockers as a full time starter. Brockers may be looking slightly better this year than in 2018, his productivity vs cost is still well below expectations. Fox never suffered from the same expectations, but his productivity level is slightly below those of Brockers. In fact, when looking at the stat line, Fox compares more with Smart & Gaines, and that's after receiving 25% of the defensive snaps, where Smart has had 16% and Gaines 9%. Brockers is a 4-3 DT, never really meant to become a 5T, and his numbers show it.

At full strength, I believe the Rams are one hurdle away from being a top 5 defense, and it's our DL which is holding us back. Donald is undoubtedly the best defensive lineman in the league, and with a little more support from his line mates, i'm afraid to think of just how good they could become. While it's probably not in the cards, i'd lose Brockers, Smart & Fox following the season, draft high a true 5T DE/DT, let Lawler & Copeland fight for rotational snaps, and increase the workload of ascending DT's Sebastian Joseph & Greg Gaines. The Rams could certainly use another defensive lineman who can also occupy double teams, someone who can take some of the pressure off of Donald who will soon be 29 years old and entering his 7'th season. jmo.

 

[max]

Don't get why you think a top 10 safety in the league would not be extended. There are mitigating circumstances regarding his average play this season and the injury is irrelevant.

I don’t think they value the safety position in terms of the money it costs. They never have. They let them walk. JJ is a nice player, but he doesn’t have top speed, and is not an impact center fielder like Earl Thomas. Rapp will be just as good or better at doing the same roll as JJ.

JJ is a nice to have, but I’d rather keep Kupp.

 

[BonifayRam]

Well, it looks like we've finally found something to disagree about. While I suspect that Fox will return being an RFA, he doesn't offer the flexibility of a Brockers as a full time starter. Brockers may be looking slightly better this year than in 2018, his productivity vs cost is still well below expectations. Fox never suffered from the same expectations, but his productivity level is slightly below those of Brockers. In fact, when looking at the stat line, Fox compares more with Smart & Gaines, and that's after receiving 25% of the defensive snaps, where Smart has had 16% and Gaines 9%. Brockers is a 4-3 DT, never really meant to become a 5T, and his numbers show it.

At full strength, I believe the Rams are one hurdle away from being a top 5 defense, and it's our DL which is holding us back. Donald is undoubtedly the best defensive lineman in the league, and with a little more support from his line mates, i'm afraid to think of just how good they could become. While it's probably not in the cards, i'd lose Brockers, Smart & Fox following the season, draft high a true 5T DE/DT, let Lawler & Copeland fight for rotational snaps, and increase the workload of ascending DT's Sebastian Joseph & Greg Gaines. The Rams could certainly use another defensive lineman who can also occupy double teams, someone who can take some of the pressure off of Donald who will be 29 years old and entering his 7'th season. jmo.

I agree with helping AD but I believe it will be easier to get him that help from our large cadre of edge rushers & ILB'ers than drafting a 5 tech DE high in next years draft.

I like the increase use in the delay rushes from our LB'ing cadre. Littleton being used in the pass rush followed by a delay of Ebukam or Fowler is something I hope we see an increase of....this helps AD too.

Cory Littleton is very good at getting skinny through the LOS.

 

[dang]

What dont you get?

How about starting with “the Rams are” and ending with “not extended”.

 

[max]

How about starting with “the Rams are” and ending with “not extended”.

Yup. That’s my guess as of right now. Fine to disagree.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I agree with helping AD but I believe it will be easier to get him that help from our large cadre of edge rushers & ILB'ers than drafting a 5 tech DE high in next years draft.

I like the increase use in the delay rushes from our LB'ing cadre. Littleton being used in the pass rush followed by a delay of Ebukam or Fowler is something I hope we see an increase of....this helps AD too.

Cory Littleton is very good at getting skinny through the LOS.

I'm truly appreciative of the depth of Edge OLB'ers the Rams have built, and that includes going forward without Fowler whom I believe is unaffordable to retain following this season. I agree with what you have suggested here, but replacing Brockers with a quality 5T just makes what you're asking for all that much more possible, and it makes Donald even more dangerous.

Available CAP dollars for quality free agents is likely to be more elusive this next off-season, but the Rams still appear to have 7 draft picks coming if we get that expected 3'rd round compensation pick. So how do we want to allocate these picks if BPA and need should happen to meet together ? My top priority is as already stated with our highest draft pick, a DE/DT to replace Brockers. In no particular order I likely utilize the two 3'rd round picks for an OT/OG and a CB. Ramsey has already replaced Peters and David Long is expected to replace Talib next season, but rebuilding depth here should be high on the to-do list going forward. Adding quality depth to the OL is a no-brainer. My 4'th & 5'th rounds would be for WR and Safety depth, again in no particular order, as Thomas is a free agent next season and Reynolds becomes a free agent following the 2020 season. Safety depth because Weddle also becomes a free agent or retires following the 2020 season. My final two picks are leaning towards a QB and ILB, again in either order. Bortles & Hager will be gone after this season, Kiser wasn't looking all that impressive prior to his injury, and the Rams will be seeking competition for our pre-season stand-out QB John Wolford.
The Rams could obviously improve any number of positions with their draft, I only offer this as a means to show how much I value using that early pick on a DE, and while i'm sure many others will clamor for an Offensive Lineman with that 2'nd round pick, I believe our current depth will provide given sufficient developmental time to get their act together. jmo.

 

[fearsomefour]

What dont you get?

Not keeping Johnson.