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Exploring Rams' free-agent options at receiver
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/26830/exploring-rams-free-agent-options-at-receiver
The offseason is here for the Los Angeles Rams and now that we know where they'll be playing their home games for the long term, things have settled down enough to spend our weekends answering a few of your Twitter questions.
As always, you can find me on Twitter @nwagoner and fire away with any Rams-related questions you might have. Please use hashtag #RamsMail so I can see them.
On to your questions.
Flipper Anderson @dcfilmninja
@nwagoner sounds like Cap room is there to make a big splash, which WR is likely to make it to FA for Rams to target?
@nwagoner: The cap room might seem like it's there to make a big splash but remember, the Rams have a lot of their own they must take care of, and they have mostly eschewed the chance to sign high-priced outside free agents the past couple offseasons. Beyond that, it's highly unlikely they'll look to spend big money on a wide receiver in free agency. The only one that really fits the description of that type of player is Chicago's Alshon Jeffery, and it's a safe bet that he'll never hit the market. Beyond him, there's not much available that would be a serious upgrade over what the Rams have. Perhaps they could find a complementary piece for the position, though, considering they will have multiple openings in the receiving corps. As it stands, Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin and Bradley Marquez are the only wideouts on the roster who contributed last season who are healthy and under contract for 2016. Among the other names that could be available are Seattle's Jermaine Kearse and Cincinnati's Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones. Those are players who could help the Rams but, given the dearth of receivers slated to reach free agency, might command too high a price.
At this point, I tend to think it's more likely the Rams find a quarterback in free agency than a receiver, but neither is guaranteed given the relative lack of options who represent an upgrade over what the Rams already employ.
Eric W @biggs_73
@nwagoner #RamsMail Do you get the feeling Safford could be a cap causality with the extended play of C. Wichman? How did he look 2 you?
@nwagoner: Yes, veteran guard Rodger Saffold is a candidate to be a cap casualty, though mainly because of his price and not some overwhelming belief that Cody Wichmann, his rookie season just finished, is ready to step into that role on a permanent basis. Saffold's injury history makes it hard to count on him, and his cap number for next season is just a bit shy of $6 million. It's possible the Rams might decide they don't need the additional cap space so they could hang onto Saffold, but they haven't showed much hesitation to go young on the offensive line, and Saffold's experience is the most appealing part of retaining him. Among Wichmann, Garrett Reynolds, Jamon Brown and Andrew Donnal, one would think the Rams feel good that they have at least two starters ready to roll. As for Wichmann, he seemed to get better as the season went along and while he's limited athletically, he's a tough, hard-nosed player who should continue to improve.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/26830/exploring-rams-free-agent-options-at-receiver
The offseason is here for the Los Angeles Rams and now that we know where they'll be playing their home games for the long term, things have settled down enough to spend our weekends answering a few of your Twitter questions.
As always, you can find me on Twitter @nwagoner and fire away with any Rams-related questions you might have. Please use hashtag #RamsMail so I can see them.
On to your questions.
Flipper Anderson @dcfilmninja
@nwagoner sounds like Cap room is there to make a big splash, which WR is likely to make it to FA for Rams to target?
@nwagoner: The cap room might seem like it's there to make a big splash but remember, the Rams have a lot of their own they must take care of, and they have mostly eschewed the chance to sign high-priced outside free agents the past couple offseasons. Beyond that, it's highly unlikely they'll look to spend big money on a wide receiver in free agency. The only one that really fits the description of that type of player is Chicago's Alshon Jeffery, and it's a safe bet that he'll never hit the market. Beyond him, there's not much available that would be a serious upgrade over what the Rams have. Perhaps they could find a complementary piece for the position, though, considering they will have multiple openings in the receiving corps. As it stands, Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin and Bradley Marquez are the only wideouts on the roster who contributed last season who are healthy and under contract for 2016. Among the other names that could be available are Seattle's Jermaine Kearse and Cincinnati's Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones. Those are players who could help the Rams but, given the dearth of receivers slated to reach free agency, might command too high a price.
At this point, I tend to think it's more likely the Rams find a quarterback in free agency than a receiver, but neither is guaranteed given the relative lack of options who represent an upgrade over what the Rams already employ.
Eric W @biggs_73
@nwagoner #RamsMail Do you get the feeling Safford could be a cap causality with the extended play of C. Wichman? How did he look 2 you?
@nwagoner: Yes, veteran guard Rodger Saffold is a candidate to be a cap casualty, though mainly because of his price and not some overwhelming belief that Cody Wichmann, his rookie season just finished, is ready to step into that role on a permanent basis. Saffold's injury history makes it hard to count on him, and his cap number for next season is just a bit shy of $6 million. It's possible the Rams might decide they don't need the additional cap space so they could hang onto Saffold, but they haven't showed much hesitation to go young on the offensive line, and Saffold's experience is the most appealing part of retaining him. Among Wichmann, Garrett Reynolds, Jamon Brown and Andrew Donnal, one would think the Rams feel good that they have at least two starters ready to roll. As for Wichmann, he seemed to get better as the season went along and while he's limited athletically, he's a tough, hard-nosed player who should continue to improve.