Free Agency Primer

[Malibu]

Unfortunately we did a good job at drafting and coaching up JJ and others like a poster said we will lose some unfortunately.

I do want to say there are other teams in the same predictament

 

[Gandalf]

Unfortunately we did a good job at drafting and coaching up JJ and others like a poster said we will lose some unfortunately.

I do want to say there are other teams in the same predictament

Plus,
We sign downtrodden FAs to one year prove it deals and they usually pay off.
We get 3rd round picks back to do it all over again.

 

[Poppinfresh]

When you draft a bunch of good players then you will ultimately lose some good ones as well.

Sure, but that's not really this team. This is a team that's made some GOOD draft picks in terms of value relative to where the team picks, but year in and year out it gives away all its top draft capital in order to trade for somebody else's headache or somebody else's massive extension negotiations, etc.

 

[Mackeyser]

There are unfortunately two positions that you shouldn't overpay for... RB and Safety.

We found out why with Gurley and the Seahawks found out with Adams. Sure, he's a plus player, but their frame/physicality ratio means a lot of injuries over time.

Earl Thomas was maybe the last Safety to really have been worth a big contract.

I love JJ3 and absolutely would NOT give him a Budda Baker contract. Couple that with the way Snead is able to find solid Safeties in the draft and... at the very least JJ3's people should have been preparing him for this. The writing was on the wall enough that I think we were talking about this happening last year.

I hope JJ3 gets a record contract. He's earned it and he shouldn't be hurt that the Rams just can't afford his services. He literally played himself onto a different team with his outstanding play. Here's hoping it's a good one.

 

[FarNorth]

I just hope they don't cut Michael Brockers in an attempt to keep Floyd. I'd rather pay Brockers 10 million than pay Floyd 15. That's just me though. And I believe they are stuck with Ashawn Robinson at 10 mill per year. With the growth of Sebastion Joseph-Day and even Greg Gaines, the Rams look deep in the interior d-line.

I'll take Floyd over Brockers, not because I don't like him but he is more replaceable. Our d-line is still deep if we can keep Fox.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I love securing my favorite players (thank you, Rams), but managing a roster and costs is a calculation tough to separate from that...

Personally, I’d like to see the Rams adopt the mindset of “fewer big deals” and more “middle tier deals”.

That means losing Kupp. Maybe never dealing for Ramsey, once you’ve committed to the amount of big deals you can absorb.

Against Green Bay, $30MM of our cap was severely limited (Donald and Kupp). Toss in Goff too. So... 2 of our best players... for that money it could be 4 different but very good players (less impact to that game).

So... 2 great players, versus 4 very good players (Havenstein, Brockers, Floyd types). It’s a calculation I am glad I don’t have to make and I bet torture for GM’s.

But, the Rams feel too top heavy for my taste with players on big deals.

I’d like to see a correction, somehow.

 

[jrry32]

I love securing my favorite players (thank you, Rams), but managing a roster and costs is a calculation tough to separate from that...

Personally, I’d like to see the Rams adopt the mindset of “fewer big deals” and more “middle tier deals”.

That means losing Kupp. Maybe never dealing for Ramsey, once you’ve committed to the amount of big deals you can absorb.

Against Green Bay, $30MM of our cap was severely limited (Donald and Kupp). Toss in Goff too. So... 2 of our best players... for that money it could be 4 different but very good players (less impact to that game).

So... 2 great players, versus 4 very good players (Havenstein, Brockers, Floyd types). It’s a calculation I am glad I don’t have to make and I bet torture for GM’s.

But, the Rams feel too top heavy for my taste with players on big deals.

I’d like to see a correction, somehow.

Respectfully, I feel the opposite. Pay for the studs. Replace the middle-tier guys. They're a lot easier to find. Injuries are random. Nothing we can do if they happen at an inopportune time. We built the #1 defense around Ramsey, Donald, and a lot of replaceable guys. But that's what talents like Ramsey and Donald can do. They can elevate the players around them.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Pay for the studs. Replace the middle-tier guys. They're a lot easier to find.

I pay the right number of studs, use the “other studs” to recoup value via trade/comp picks. Keep that flow going for cheap labor.

Being less committed, we can recover from unforeseen things and be nimble should things not work out with a pick or deal.

We have our credit cards pretty tight right now as we retool for 2021. I’d argue a result of too many top heavy deals.

 

[jrry32]

I pay the right number of studs, use the “other studs” to recoup value via trade/comp picks. Keep that flow going for cheap labor.

Being less committed, we can recover from unforeseen things and be nimble should things not work out with a pick or deal.

We have our credit cards pretty tight right now as we retool for 2021.

What's the right number of studs? I would say that's already what the Rams are trying to do. The challenge is in determining that number. COVID has thrown a wrench into everything. Without COVID, the cap would have jumped another $10+ million. Because of it, it is now likely to fall. What I expect us to do is push money into future years anticipating the cap to jump again without the COVID restraints and with the new TV deals. Simply put, we're not alone in our predicament. It's a reality of being a contender and not having a QB on a rookie contract.

 

[CGI_Ram]

What's the right number of studs? I would say that's already what the Rams are trying to do. The challenge is in determining that number. COVID has thrown a wrench into everything. Without COVID, the cap would have jumped another $10+ million. Because of it, it is now likely to fall. What I expect us to do is push money into future years anticipating the cap to jump again without the COVID restraints and with the new TV deals. Simply put, we're not alone in our predicament. It's a reality of being a contender and not having a QB on a rookie contract.

I think we went one too many. Tapped into the future a tad too much.

Yeah, it’s MMQB. And... yeah, CoVID might have tossed a wrench into those future projections. All teams are in that boat, now.

I remember feeling uneasy when Ramsey, Kupp, Woods all came together so quickly. Especially on heals of Gurley and Cooks.

But, also remember feeling happy. So, sort of talking out both sides of my mouth a little.

 

[jrry32]

I think we went one too many. Tapped into the future a tad too much.

Yeah, it’s MMQB. And... yeah, CoVID might have tossed a wrench into those future projections. All teams are all in that boat, now.

I remember feeling uneasy when Ramsey, Kupp, Woods all came together so quickly. Especially on heals of Gurley and Cooks.

But, also remember feeling happy. So, sort of talking out both sides of my mouth a little.

I was a little surprised they locked up Woods too. But I wasn't complaining either. Of course, looking at their contracts, it's really easy to trade either Kupp or Woods if we want to clear some cap. Woods is actually the easier WR to trade in terms of dead cap. So that is an option if they want it.

 

[dieterbrock]

There are unfortunately two positions that you shouldn't overpay for... RB and Safety.

We found out why with Gurley and the Seahawks found out with Adams. Sure, he's a plus player, but their frame/physicality ratio means a lot of injuries over time.

Earl Thomas was maybe the last Safety to really have been worth a big contract.

I love JJ3 and absolutely would NOT give him a Budda Baker contract. Couple that with the way Snead is able to find solid Safeties in the draft and... at the very least JJ3's people should have been preparing him for this. The writing was on the wall enough that I think we were talking about this happening last year.

I hope JJ3 gets a record contract. He's earned it and he shouldn't be hurt that the Rams just can't afford his services. He literally played himself onto a different team with his outstanding play. Here's hoping it's a good one.

So much good stuff in here, all I can say is this. 100% this

 

[TexasRam]

IMO, Jon Feliciano is more likely in our price range, and I'd love for us to sign him. He can play any of the interior OL positions. He has played C and LG this year. He started every game last year for them at RG. He's 6'4" 325 pounds with a serious mean streak. The Bills signed him (and a couple others) after 2018 to help solidify that OL, and he has lived up to his contract. That's a dude who isn't getting blown off the ball at Center. And this article speaks glowingly about his work and film habits, communication skills, and leadership:

Jon Feliciano brings ‘savage’ & ‘alpha’ mentality to Bills o-line

Dion Dawkins: "He's just a dog, man. Just a guy who doesn’t care what you think. He plays with that savage mindset and savage mentality every play.”

www.syracuse.com

I’m all for it.

 

[dang]

Elite $$$ for elite players is justified well beyond a players individual stats. Do they transform their team. The answer for a truly elite player is YES. Leadership, play that elevates the play of other teammates, can do mentality that carries a team to victory are all traits of an elite player. Donald on defense and Mahomes on offense best exemplify elite player traits in the NFL. It’s not guaranteed but it must be measured before making the $$$ commitment. Ramsey elevated the entire defense with his physical play, durability and intensity. Woods the same for the offense. I love Goff and Kupp but they have fallen short several times in their relatively short careers. Make the off-season moves to allow them to excel in 2021 and then reevaluate the commitment at the end of next season. That means strengthening the OL, finding a deep threat WR and working on the improving the playbook. Just my opinion.

 

[Gandalf]

I think an interesting player would be Cordarrelle Patterson. He would give us a top tier returner, could be our third RB and provide us with size and speed as a 4th WR. He really shouldn't cost a lot and would fill a multitude of roles.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I dunno, I mean yeah, but he's gonna want a ton. That said, he's clearly the best FA and one of the best in the game.

I have a good feeling for Creed Humphries. Dude is a tank who just doesn't let big NTs walk him back. On several of his pass pro snaps, he hikes the ball, pops up and just stones the bull rushing NT. That's some shit right there. Both OGs get moved back, but not him. And with all the uncertainty of this draft, so many skill players are gonna be going early that a solid Center is gonna last until the early 3rd round.

Wishful thinking imo. He will go mid to late First round like Ruiz did. The Packers can move Jenkins to Center and let Linsley walk, or just let Linsley move and prioritize drafting Humphries late in round one. They traded up to get in front of the Rams because Snead like Jenkins. I think that tells us that they prioritize Oline.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

JJ is gone.

'I know my worth': John Johnson will be hard for Rams to afford

John Johnson had some interesting comments about free agency on an Instagram Live stream.

www.google.com

Assuming Floyd, Ebukam, and Hill too.

I hope we re-sign Fox. Defensive depth chart still looks decent:

DL - AD, Brock, SJD, Robinson, Fox (hopefully), Gaines, Obo, Lewis, Hollins

LB - Kiser, Howard, Reeder, Young

DBs - Ramsey, Williams, Long, Deayon, Fuller, Burgess, Rapp, Scott


On the surface youd like EDGE, LB and CB - but given our limited funds, I'd rather put everything into the offense - above would still be an above average unit

I’d venture to guess that Morris is likely to be looking for some role players familiar with his defense to fill some weaknesses and help transition the scheme

 

[Kevin]

Floyd may not want to stay with the Rams. I believe one of the reasons he signed with us was to reunite with Staley.

 

[Dodgersrf]

I think an interesting player would be Cordarrelle Patterson. He would give us a top tier returner, could be our third RB and provide us with size and speed as a 4th WR. He really shouldn't cost a lot and would fill a multitude of roles.

I would love to have Patterson on our special teams.
I would honestly like to see us target a guy in the draft, that can be dangerous in the return game.

I don’t recall us having a dangerous return specialist since Joe Horn.

 

[Mackeyser]

Wishful thinking imo. He will go mid to late First round like Ruiz did. The Packers can move Jenkins to Center and let Linsley walk, or just let Linsley move and prioritize drafting Humphries late in round one. They traded up to get in front of the Rams because Snead like Jenkins. I think that tells us that they prioritize Oline.

Humphries isn't the top rated Center in this draft. Depending on which draft service you look at, he's around the 3rd or 4th best Center.

When I look, tho, I see the kind of Center the Rams need, even as he's not the top rated Center.

And I'd be surprised if Humphries goes earlier than round 3 because SO MANY folks who had monster years in 2019 and couldn't play will be intermingled with the folks who showed out this year.

This draft is almost like a double draft in a lot of ways and the value in rounds 2-5 will be enormous for teams with solid scouting units like ours...