Jourdan Rodrigue: How can the Rams configure Jalen Ramsey, Cooper Kupp deals? The Athletic

[BC Ramfan]

Both Spotrac and Over-the-Cap have the Rams with more than $40M of cap space for 2021.

A number of factors can see that amount go up or down but the Rams should be able to re-sign a number of their free agents.

I figure Ramsey and Kupp are at the top of the list, and would be surprised if either was not re-signed.

Could see them losing pending free agents such John Johnson, Samson Ebukam, Troy Hill, Gerald Everett and Josh Reynolds before Ramsey or Kupp.

I'd hate to lose JJ3 or Ebukam. Could live with losing Hill, Everett, Reynolds, though they are good contributors.
If JJ3 and Samson want megabucks, I guess you can't have everything in the Salary Cap era.
Still, I'd try. JJ3 is a stud IMO and Samson is a solid player.

BC

 

[Kevin]

There is a thing called the salary cap, and we will not have room to keep either of them. I hope I'm wrong.

You’re wrong.

 

[Robert]

So if Franchise tag is 18M and that comes from the average of the 5 top paid players at his position . How does he get 17M a year. He isn't top ten. Neither is Woods. They are both really good players, but if they are #1 receivers, I don't see it. Shouldn't they both be in the 12 to 15 Mil range. Everyone wants to discount what Goff does because of McVay. Shouldn't there be a McVay factor involved with the receivers. I mean everyone thought Woods was barely average with another team. Do you think they get 17M from other teams? Lots of good young receivers coming out of collage. Just don't think the market will be that high. Especially if we are looking at a less cap number due to Covid.

Some would argue Kupp is a top ten receiver. Woods is right behind him in the teens. Also Woods came from the Bills, he has always been talented just was in a horrible offense with little opportunities

 

[majrleaged]

Some would argue Kupp is a top ten receiver. Woods is right behind him in the teens. Also Woods came from the Bills, he has always been talented just was in a horrible offense with little opportunities

The Rams 2 best receivers are very good all around #2 receivers. Not sure either are top 10. I'm not saying we shouldn't sign them to good contracts or even over pay. they are perfect for this team. I'm just not sure 19M for Kupp, makes any sense. Not even sure he is a better receiver than Woods.

 

[Psycho_X]

Ramsey I think will be signed on the eve of the season IF the season is a go. If this season gets trashed like other sports the Rams will wait to see what their options are until the last minute. Plus, they always sign their big contract towards end of preseason/start of season.

Kupp, I could see going a couple ways. First, it could be beneficial for both Kupp or Rams to wait a year. Kupp might want to wait to see if he can produce number 1 stats and prove he's the best receiver we have. His injury plus how he kind of disappeared after that huge Cincy game last year and Cooks injuries are a couple things working against him for top 10 money imo. Can he produce without a speedster taking off the top of defense? Yes he can, but top 10 production I don't know yet? Which is why might be beneficial for Rams to wait too. If he produces good but not great numbers maybe they can sign him to a more reasonable top 20 money kind of deal while grabbing a speedster in the draft or free agency.

Woods will be interesting. The guy has been nothing but unselfish in his time here. He deserves more money as well and will get it. It's not a coincidence the Rams selected Jefferson with one of their earlier picks. I think the Rams are planning on Woods or Kupp being gone after this season.

 

[Merlin]

Woods will be interesting. The guy has been nothing but unselfish in his time here. He deserves more money as well and will get it. It's not a coincidence the Rams selected Jefferson with one of their earlier picks. I think the Rams are planning on Woods or Kupp being gone after this season.

He does deserve a better contract and will get it. Unfortunately it is unlikely that happens with the Rams.

Enjoy Woody this season as I believe it will be his last in horns. And if they redo his contract it means Kupp walks. Change is on the horizon with this group, it's unavoidable.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

I don't think Kupp is worth more than Cooks contract imo.

 

[dang]

Ramsey I think will be signed on the eve of the season IF the season is a go. If this season gets trashed like other sports the Rams will wait to see what their options are until the last minute. Plus, they always sign their big contract towards end of preseason/start of season.

Kupp, I could see going a couple ways. First, it could be beneficial for both Kupp or Rams to wait a year. Kupp might want to wait to see if he can produce number 1 stats and prove he's the best receiver we have. His injury plus how he kind of disappeared after that huge Cincy game last year and Cooks injuries are a couple things working against him for top 10 money imo. Can he produce without a speedster taking off the top of defense? Yes he can, but top 10 production I don't know yet? Which is why might be beneficial for Rams to wait too. If he produces good but not great numbers maybe they can sign him to a more reasonable top 20 money kind of deal while grabbing a speedster in the draft or free agency.

Woods will be interesting. The guy has been nothing but unselfish in his time here. He deserves more money as well and will get it. It's not a coincidence the Rams selected Jefferson with one of their earlier picks. I think the Rams are planning on Woods or Kupp being gone after this season.

Disagree on Rams planning on losing either Woods or Kupp. They definately know they cannot pay Reynolds for his second contract thus the reason for picking up Jefferson. i also think they are not going to go top $$$ for a RB again under McVay. keep bringing in new blood every couple of years. its brutal to say but RBs come into the NFL with limited tread on their tires.

 

[PressureD41]

They also are saying the 2021 draft is equally good or better WR class than this years class. FYI
Should be able to add another good-great prospect in rd's 2-4

 

[MachS]

Ramsey has to be signed, it just has to happen or this franchise will continue sliding in the wrong direction. We gave up two first round picks before negotiating a deal, and gave him all the leverage. We cant compound that mistake and lose a HOF type talent.

JJ is gone. We have Burgess who is a stud and Jordan Fuller to fill that spot. JJ is very talented but is not an elite talent and will likely be overpaid. CB is much more important than S. Everett is gone too as we've already paid Higbee, and who at the end of last season looked like baby Gronk. Hopkins was drafted for a reason.

Regarding WR, Kupp and Woods are both studs but seeing how Reynolds and Jefferson both play on the outside I anticipate losing one of them. I'd rather keep Kupp and thats tough to say because I love Woods and think hes the most underrated WR in football. But we fucked up with the Gurley and Cooks contracts and it will come back to bite us. However if Kupp wants a ton of money maybe we move on there, but I think Goff will fight to keep him around. That situation is really a toss up to me but I think one of them goes.

 

[BonifayRam]

CB Jalen Ramsey is the #1 UFA priority none of the other really matter in comparison. I would make CB Darious Williams my top RFA priority & tender him an offer to sign. The rest of the RFA's can go elsewhere. Rams will have 3 starting outside corners with Ramsey-Williams & Long with Alexander as the 4th.

There are a few UFA's who I would not offer contracts:
LB Leonard Floyd
CB Donte Deayon
TE/HB/SL/ Gerald Everett
CB Troy Hill
RB Malcolm Brown

Good chance the Rams can get WR Josh Reynolds resigned @ about half the price of WR Cooper Kupp, I would jump on that & let Kupp go get us a 2022 3rd round (CDPA) compensatory pick instead. I would not consider paying the near $17 million a year & the 4 yr $68 million contract for a slot receiver like Kupp. I have no issues with going with 2021 Woods/ Jefferson/ Reynolds/ Higbee/ Hopkins (& sign ERFA WR/PR/KR Nsimba Webster) & whoever Snead drafts in our next draft as our receiver unit.

I can see JJ III having an outstanding Pro Bowl season playing much more in a deep safety position that better fits his outstanding skills something he has not done since he arrived. Retaining JJ III who will be highly sought after & desired .......thus it will be highly costly to retain plus Snead does not give safety large contracts. So I would let JJ III go out & earn (CDPA) Rams a 2021 4th round selection, & let one of the younger DB's Burgess/Gervase/Fuller/Scott start with Rapp.

UFA OLB Samson Ebukam should be affordable & after letting Floyd depart I would highly suggest to sign veteran Ebukam to start with Terrell Lewis / Og Okoronkwo/ Natrez Patrick & Jackai Polite.

Too early to decide on what to do with UFA center Austin Blythe.

 

[Jacobarch]

I don't think Kupp is worth more than Cooks contract imo.

i agree, I loved the Cooks signing at the time, we didn't know he was a couple hits away from being permanently out of football. He obviously can still play but he's not a go across the middle WR anymore.
As far as Kupp, if the Rams can get him for what they signed Cooks for that's a total win. Kupp is one of the better WR's in the league, but he's definitely not in the top 5. He does lack that explosiveness that guys like Jones or Hopkins have. Kupp reminds me of a better more physical Julian Edelman. So I don't expect Kupp to get top 5 money, but in today's football where desperate teams overpay, it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

i agree, I loved the Cooks signing at the time, we didn't know he was a couple hits away from being permanently out of football. He obviously can still play but he's not a go across the middle WR anymore.
As far as Kupp, if the Rams can get him for what they signed Cooks for that's a total win. Kupp is one of the better WR's in the league, but he's definitely not in the top 5. He does lack that explosiveness that guys like Jones or Hopkins have. Kupp reminds me of a better more physical Julian Edelman. So I don't expect Kupp to get top 5 money, but in today's football where desperate teams overpay, it wouldn't surprise me.

Yeah, and additionally, to get top money you have to (or should) have the accolades as well. We know his value to our system, but in comparison to other top WRs, he just had his first 1000 yrd season, no Pro Bowls, and has injury history. I'm hoping maybe $14-15M.

 

[oldnotdead]

It's basically what I've been saying all this year. The cap is legal fiction. Affording both Kupp and Ramsey will be fairly straight forward. The only reason the Rams are cap-strapped is because of Gurley's and Cook's dead cap. With that spread over 2 years, the Rams simply need to backload the larger cap hit until 2022 (i.e. kick the can down the road one year). Once both Gurley's and Cook's dead cap are off the books there will be plenty of money to afford both.

As I said months ago I simply looked at the Ram's cap and figured they would have between $5-$7M to start the season with. It's basically the same scenario next year. Every year someone is getting excited about "how can they afford this guy or that guy". Every year the solution is the same. You simply massage the accounting to make it fit. Just look at how much is tied up in dead cap for the next two years and you will see how much will be freed up in 2022.

 

[Jacobarch]

Yeah, and additionally, to get top money you have to (or should) have the accolades as well. We know his value to our system, but in comparison to other top WRs, he just had his first 1000 yrd season, no Pro Bowls, and has injury history. I'm hoping maybe $14-15M.

well i think anyone who knows kupps game, it's an absolute joke that he never got to the pro bowl. But the pro bowl is a joke in itself so i guess it's a non starter.

Lets see what happens with the salary cap next year. It might actually shrink, and that would fuck everything up.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Good chance the Rams can get WR Josh Reynolds resigned @ about half the price of WR Cooper Kupp, I would jump on that & let Kupp go get us a 2022 3rd round (CDPA) compensatory pick instead. I would not consider paying the near $17 million a year & the 4 yr $68 million contract for a slot receiver like Kupp. I have no issues with going with 2021 Woods/ Jefferson/ Reynolds/ Higbee/ Hopkins (& sign ERFA WR/PR/KR Nsimba Webster) & whoever Snead drafts in our next draft as our receiver unit.

My first thought was, “no-way-Jose. We can’t let Kupp go.”

But it made me think. And I see your point. That is a strategy.

It remains a big “no” for me. Kupp is a high character cornerstone you hold on to. As a HC, Kupp helps cultivate your culture. He checks a lot of boxes. That’s someone you try hard to keep.

 

[Robert]

The Rams 2 best receivers are very good all around #2 receivers. Not sure either are top 10. I'm not saying we shouldn't sign them to good contracts or even over pay. they are perfect for this team. I'm just not sure 19M for Kupp, makes any sense. Not even sure he is a better receiver than Woods.

So your saying there is 30 receivers better then Kupp and Woods? Please name them. These guys are not elite athletes like Julio Jones or Hopkins, not very many guys are. When it comes to route running, catching, seperating, attitude on and off the field they are the best in the business. The days of drafting big raw athletic freaks like Brian quick hoping he can learn the fundemtals are over. These are the best 2 receivers we have had in horns since Bruce and Holt and some would say they weren’t clear cut #1 wr’s either.

 

[majrleaged]

So your saying there is 30 receivers better then Kupp and Woods? Please name them. These guys are not elite athletes like Julio Jones or Hopkins, not very many guys are. When it comes to route running, catching, seperating, attitude on and off the field they are the best in the business. The days of drafting big raw athletic freaks like Brian quick hoping he can learn the fundemtals are over. These are the best 2 receivers we have had in horns since Bruce and Holt and some would say they weren’t clear cut #1 wr’s either.

I never said there are 30 better receivers in the league. Don't twist my words. Just saying, we shouldn't pay #1 receiver money to Kupp or Woods because neither should be classified #1 types. You know who those are. You named them. 12 to 15 mil, maybe.