Free Agency Thread: 2019 Season

[Merlin]

Might this be a better option than resigning Saffold? Would we get a compensatory 3rd round pick if Saffold signs a big deal elsewhere? If his markets not big, then bringing him back is a no brainer

Yes the FA market is going to decide that for us. Roger is in his prime, has played at an elite level in both pass pro and particularly the run, for a winning team vs all manner of top opponents. He is going to be the most prized lineman on the market, so even though he might be willing to take less with us will the Rams be able to afford that neighborhood of cost? Maybe if they don't plan on extending Jared early, but it's going to be tough.

The difference with Whit is he's not in his prime, so I have to think keeping his family in place and finishing as a Ram would be valuable to him. This is why I expect them to get an extension done, I doubt he is going to require a huge cap hit.

 

[dang]

Number 1 priority for next year is to retain the OL and begin the transition. That means Whit’s and Sullivan’s last year is probably next year. Resign Saffold for 3 years. Noteboom and Allen get more playing time next year with the opportunity to take over the following year. If either don’t look like heirs then go to Plan B By continuing to look In FA and in the Draft.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Mosley would be one serious MLB'er for Wade especially if the Rams DL does not find a bona fide good Nose Tackle. Mosley does not have Cory's coverage skills either.

But would the Rams not be replacing the Rams defensive Captain & defensive caller in Rams Defense? Cory Littleton will NOT be an Unrestricted free agent in March. He is only a Restricted Free Agent. This is a positive here for Demoff & Snead! It can give them time to address Cory's long term contract next season & also Cory true value to the Rams defensive team.

UDFA Cory Littleton who was a UDFA & raised trained & homegrown to be a Ram is very special. Awarded a Pro Bowl invite this season! Usually, there are four different qualifying offers teams can make, though most teams only use the lowest three or four tenders. In Cory's case, the Rams Org. might end up doing something highly unusual.

Most all NFL teams usually designate lowest $$$ type offers & will make their decision from #3 & #4. Its a no-brainer to me, Demoff/Snead will go by way of Rams Right of 1st Refusal, or compensated with one 1st round draft selection & give Cory a one-year contract salaried of @ $3.2 million for the right of first refusal & a 1st round compensation. This will ensure Cory remains a Ram & gives him a nice pay raise from his $635 K this season.

Yes, you're correct on Collins. He is much moe SS than High Safety. He has played both when he was with Bama. Collins inconsistencies in coverage have been tested by NFL offenses the last four seasons & he has been beaten often.

Wouldn’t CJ replace Baron

 

[BonifayRam]

Wouldn’t CJ replace Baron

We are thinking a like here ...That's what I would believe will happen if Barron is released here before the beginning of the new season on 3/13/19. I also do not believe the Rams would be interested in an MLB'er like Mosley & paying him a near $10 million a year.

If Barron remains on the roster this upcoming season he carries a near $9 million cap :eek:hit. IF he is released early Rams will have an additional $7.25 million to utilize elsewhere. It's my belief that 2nd-year MLB'er Micah Kiser will be worked in next to Littleton @ a great cost saving to the 2019 cap. Wade seems to prefer to utilizing 3 safeties with one playing inside a lot so I could see Kiser coming off the field on passing downs & a safety like Marqui Christian replacing him. Rams do have another Safety/Hybrid LB'er who was drafted late on the third day in the 2018 draft....Travin Howard 6-1 220lb'er.

 

[dang]

One thing to remember is Snead loves working a deal. He will continue to tinker through trades/free agency In building the perfect beast. I don't see him going quiet after this years success.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I wonder how Grady Jarrett would fit.

 

[BonifayRam]

In my knowledge of Wade preferences in his NT's & the below average strength of the Rams total ILB'er cadre in stopping the run near the LOS on a consistent basis ...... NT Grady Jarrett would be the best UFA available to fill the massive void of the vacating Suh.

However, there would be a tiny issue with his asking price $$$$$$ over 76 mil & over 15.2 mil a year along with the fact that the Falcons would be commenting suicide as an Organization let Grady Jarrett depart.I do not see the Rams Org going in this direction myself.
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/atlanta-falcons/grady-jarrett-16863/market-value/

When you review the good starting NT's in the NFL like Grady Jerrett, Texans DJ Reader, Saints Tyeler Davison, Bill Kyle Williams, Bengals Domato Peiko, & Chargers Darious Philon all of them were drafted on the last day of the draft. Certainly, Snead is capable of finding a future starting NT with one of his 4 third day draft selections. He also drafted a NT in our last draft on the 3rd day Sebastian Joseph-Day....never saw the playing field in a regular season game.

 

[Memento]

In my knowledge of Wade preferences in his NT's & the below average strength of the Rams total ILB'er cadre in stopping the run near the LOS on a consistent basis ...... NT Grady Jarrett would be the best UFA available to fill the massive void of the vacating Suh.

However, there would be a tiny issue with his asking price $$$$$$ over 76 mil & over 15.2 mil a year along with the fact that the Falcons would be commenting suicide as an Organization let Grady Jarrett depart.I do not see the Rams Org going in this direction myself.
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/atlanta-falcons/grady-jarrett-16863/market-value/

When you review the good starting NT's in the NFL like Grady Jerrett, Texans DJ Reader, Saints Tyeler Davison, Bill Kyle Williams, Bengals Domato Peiko, & Chargers Darious Philon all of them were drafted on the last day of the draft. Certainly, Snead is capable of finding a future starting NT with one of his 4 third day draft selections. He also drafted a NT in our last draft on the 3rd day Sebastian Joseph-Day....never saw the playing field in a regular season game.

Unfortunately, Kyle Williams retired. I wish he was an option: he deserved a Super Bowl after all of the hard years with the Bills.

 

[Ramrocket]

I wonder how Grady Jarrett would fit.

I got a tingly feeling reading that. Jarrett would be huge but as Bonifay said, the price would be astronomical. Better off just keeping Suh at a cheaper price

 

[hotanez]

It definitely will be interesting to see what direction the Rams go in Free agency and the Draft. The team definitely needs to find players on Defense and along the Oline. The Oline is a major concern in my opinion. It will be a major issue if Saffold leaves via free agency. We really only have 2 backups and if Noteboom has to start we're down to 1.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I got a tingly feeling reading that. Jarrett would be huge but as Bonifay said, the price would be astronomical. Better off just keeping Suh at a cheaper price

With so many DTs coming up in this draft, it would be wise to get a rookie cheap, for cap purposes. But, I mentioned earlier that with so many rookie DTs coming out (good ones), maybe it will cause GMs to be cautious with spending big for DTs and they'll have to sign for less.


I know that I may be jumping the gun here, but I think other players have to be noticing how happy Rams players are with McVay and Wade. Plus they got to the Superbowl in two years. Maybe they could find some guys willing to take a little less to be a Ram. I didn't think they'd be able to sign Suh.

I know some guys are all about the money, but a vet that's going on his third contract, may be enticed by the hope of playoff contention on a great team with great coaches.

 

[Prime Time]

Four Rams on this list. To read about every player, click the link below and scroll down.
**********************************************************************************
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-the-top-50-nfl-free-agents-of-2019

The top 50 NFL free agents of 2019
BY MICHAEL RENNER

After a dominant 2017 outing saw Joyner earn the franchise tag, he took a marked step back this past season. He had 10 combined interceptions and pass breakups in 2017, and that dropped to only two this past season. Still, he’s a missile on the back end who is one of the soundest tackling safeties in the NFL with only nine misses over the past two seasons.

He may not be the every-down dominant defensive tackle he once was, but in a rotation, he can still provide dominant play as we’ve seen this postseason. He racked up 48 pressures this past season while still racking up 887 snaps.

Saffold was a stalwart on one of the best offensive lines in the league this past season. He earned the third-best run-blocking grade among all guards in 2018 and could fit in any scheme you’ll find in the NFL. He won’t get a mega-deal as he turns 31 this offseason, but he’s nowhere near the end of his usefulness.

While the production still doesn’t match his top-five draft selection, there are still reasons to covet Fowler. The biggest being that he hasn’t even turned 25 yet. The second-biggest is that he’s improved grade-wise every single season of his career with his performance in the NFC Championship being arguably the most impressive of his career.

 

[TheTackle]

It definitely will be interesting to see what direction the Rams go in Free agency and the Draft. The team definitely needs to find players on Defense and along the Oline. The Oline is a major concern in my opinion. It will be a major issue if Saffold leaves via free agency. We really only have 2 backups and if Noteboom has to start we're down to 1.

The OL is a strength. Agreed, we need to develop some depth at Guard, whether Saffold leaves or not. But would favour a vet with starting experience

 

[hotanez]

The OL is a strength. Agreed, we need to develop some depth at Guard, whether Saffold leaves or not. But would favour a vet with starting experience

A vet with starting experience would go a long way in helping the depth but behind the starters we have only 2 players capable of stepping in. If Saffold leaves that would be a huge hole if we have to shift Noteboom to a starting position. I can't believe we will continue to have this much luck with having all 5 starters not miss start for a 3rd season in a row.

 

[fearsomefour]

Four Rams on this list. To read about every player, click the link below and scroll down.
**********************************************************************************
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-the-top-50-nfl-free-agents-of-2019

The top 50 NFL free agents of 2019
BY MICHAEL RENNER

After a dominant 2017 outing saw Joyner earn the franchise tag, he took a marked step back this past season. He had 10 combined interceptions and pass breakups in 2017, and that dropped to only two this past season. Still, he’s a missile on the back end who is one of the soundest tackling safeties in the NFL with only nine misses over the past two seasons.

He may not be the every-down dominant defensive tackle he once was, but in a rotation, he can still provide dominant play as we’ve seen this postseason. He racked up 48 pressures this past season while still racking up 887 snaps.

Saffold was a stalwart on one of the best offensive lines in the league this past season. He earned the third-best run-blocking grade among all guards in 2018 and could fit in any scheme you’ll find in the NFL. He won’t get a mega-deal as he turns 31 this offseason, but he’s nowhere near the end of his usefulness.

While the production still doesn’t match his top-five draft selection, there are still reasons to covet Fowler. The biggest being that he hasn’t even turned 25 yet. The second-biggest is that he’s improved grade-wise every single season of his career with his performance in the NFC Championship being arguably the most impressive of his career.

The other thing with Fowler is the Rams have no one to replace him.....no.....one.

 

[dang]

Yes to Saffold/Fowler.
Maybe to Suh (depending on $$$) . He is not going to give 100% for an entire season but still has something left in the tank until we find a young replacement.
No to Joyner. I loved Joyner but I believe an upgrade can be had for less than $4m/yr.

 

[TheTackle]

A vet with starting experience would go a long way in helping the depth but behind the starters we have only 2 players capable of stepping in. If Saffold leaves that would be a huge hole if we have to shift Noteboom to a starting position. I can't believe we will continue to have this much luck with having all 5 starters not miss start for a 3rd season in a row.

Agreed, but Noteboom could swing to LT if needed. So, we need to find some depth at Guard and RT. Which should be more than doable. As EGG notes above, many vets entering the 3rd contract will be happy to join a warm weather contender. We might need to get used to loosing Staffold, depending on his market

 

[TheTackle]

When you review the good starting NT's in the NFL like Grady Jerrett, Texans DJ Reader, Saints Tyeler Davison, Bill Kyle Williams, Bengals Domato Peiko, & Chargers Darious Philon all of them were drafted on the last day of the draft. Certainly, Snead is capable of finding a future starting NT with one of his 4 third day draft selections. He also drafted a NT in our last draft on the 3rd day Sebastian Joseph-Day....never saw the playing field in a regular season game.

Who do you like at DT in the upcoming draft?

 

[Flatlyner]

The other thing with Fowler is the Rams have no one to replace him.....no.....one.

Lets not forget we drafted someone last year, but has been injured. Obo could be useful next year. I'm sure they won't rely on him starting next year, but, he was pretty damn effective in college.

 

[Merlin]

With so many DTs coming up in this draft, it would be wise to get a rookie cheap, for cap purposes. But, I mentioned earlier that with so many rookie DTs coming out (good ones), maybe it will cause GMs to be cautious with spending big for DTs and they'll have to sign for less.

Agreed and I see it the same way. Snead will undoubtedly look at NT in FA, but with money invested in Donald and Brock plus a strong DL draft it makes zero sense to chase dudes in FA at the position.

Safety is where the quality is. If Amos and Collins hit FA too, it's gonna be an effin bonanza. Amos would be my first choice (young and plays both pass and run well), but I seriously doubt the Bears let him walk. And after a couple years of suckin up to Dallas I think Earl Thomas will go straight to them once the period starts. But that's cool you still got other options in this FA class at the position and the Rams will almost surely fill a hole that route with a guy like the Honey Badger, Clinton-Dix, etc.