Offseason Depth Chart

[Merlin]

Think this works a lot better with the entire roster vice having two threads so please excuse the reposting of the offense:

Key
Elite
Above Average
Average
Below Average / Unproven
Not Good Enough
(Cap hit or FA status for 2020 is in parenthesis)

OFFENSE

WR: Kupp ($1.1M); Webster (ERFA) ; Natson (RFA)
WR: Woods ($9.1M); Reynolds ($.8M)
WR: Cooks ($16.8M with a potential out in 2021 that brings $13M cap hit); Thomas (UFA)

LT: Whitworth (UFA); Brewer ($.5M)
LG: Corbett ($1.1M); Noteboom ($.9M)
C: Blythe (UFA); Shelton (ERFA); Allen ($.8M)
RG: Edwards ($.6M); Demby ($.6M)
RT: Evans ($.8M); Havenstein ($7.8M, dead cap drops to $1.6M after 2020 season)

TE1: Higbee ($8.6M); Mundt (ERFA)
TE2: Everett ($1.9M); Blanton (ERFA)

QB: Goff ($36M); Bortles (UFA)
RB: Gurley ($17.2M); Brown ($1.1M); Henderson ($.9M)

Offense notes:

I bumped Higbee up to blue, think he's here to stay as a plus passing game weapon now. I know Whit's a weak blue, but he's still upper half of the starters in this league IMO. Gurley & Goff I am giving the benefit of the doubt due to OL play this season. There are some guys in that below average/unproven range who might turn things around or step it up, but overall the sheer amount of them in the OL group shows the roster weakness.

Contract-wise Whit coming off the books will be $16.6M relief. This is very likely due to the Rams estimating that he will continue to decline.

Offseason outlook for this side of the ball shows that the WR group is relatively locked due to contract to Cooks. TE group is unlikely to change. Offensive backfield also unlikely to change very much. Major renovation is all going to occur on the OL.

DEFENSE

5T: Brockers (UFA) ; Fox (RFA)
1T: Joseph ($.7M) ; Gaines ($.7M)
3T: Donald ($25M) ; Smart ($.7M)

WILL: Fowler (UFA) ; Ebukam ($.8M) ; Okowrongkwo ($.7M)
OLB: Matthews ($5.7M) ; Patrick ($.6M) ; Lawler ($.7M)

ILB: Littleton (UFA) ; Howard ($.6M) ; Hager (UFA)
ILB: Reeder ($.6M) ; Young ($.7M) ; Kiser ($.7M)

LCB: Hill ($3.5M) ; Williams ($.7M)
RCB: Ramsey ($13.7M) ; Long ($.9M) ; Deayon (RFA)
Slot: Robey ($4.5M)

SS: Rapp ($1M) ; Christian (UFA) ; Gervase ($.6M)
FS: Weddle ($4.7M) ; Johnson ($1M) ; Scott ($.6M)

Defense notes:

Defense is going to see enormous change due to departure of key starters in FA and projected cuts. It's unavoidable if they plan to sign Ramsey IMO.

Contract-wise Brockers coming off the books frees up $10.7M. Fowler is $12M. Littleton is $3M. Hager is $.5M. Christian is $.7M. Potential gains could be had with Robey-Coleman coming off (no cap hit) from trade or cut, Weddle ($.5M cap hit), Matthews ($2M cap hit). At this point and of those we can say Weddle is a sure cut and Matthews is likely if they need extra wiggle room.

I can see why they might be considering the change at DC. When this much flux is expected it's probably a good call to get your guy in house to be part of the decision making.

SPECIAL TEAMS

P: Hekker ($4.6M)
K: Zuerline (UFA)
LS: McQuaide ($1M)
PR: Webster (ERFA)
KR: Henderson ($.9M)

Teams notes:

I'm good with the teams as-is. Hekk has had a down season, so has Zuerline, but both should bounce back. Web & Hendy both are still unproven in that you don't know what they can be just yet but I'm comfortable with both. Natson probably won't be tendered very highly but I doubt he has many options so if the Rams want to bring him back I think it happens.

Zuerline represents a cap savings of $2.5M if he departs in FA. Not a big number there have to think they retain him given all the other needs.

 

[oldnotdead]

Just looking at the roster as it stands I stand by my feelings that the team is built right now. I also firmly believe that this draft will be about depth and development of talent so that replacements will be largely homegrown.

Offense:
LT - Noteboom, Brewer
LG - Corbett, Shelton
C - Allen, Trewyn
RG - Evans, Shelton
RT - Edwards, Brewer
QB - Goff, Wolford
RB - Gurley, Henderson, TBD via draft 2 possible
WR - Woods, Cooks, Kupp, Reynolds, Webster, Jojo (poss draft at last two positions)

Defense:
DE- Okoronkwo, Carraway
NT- Gaines (TBD)
DT- Donald, (TBD possible draft)
WIL - Fowler, (TBD draft)
OLB - Ebukam, Mathews (possibly one more year) (TBD draft)
MIKE- Littleton, Howard (possible TBD draft)
ILB - Kiser, Young
CB - Ramsey, Long, Williams, (TBD poss draft)
Safety - Johnson, Rapp, Gervase, Scott

Specialist
LS - McQuaide
K - Zuerlein (poss draft)
P - Hekker


On offense I think they will draft a RB and at least one WR and o-line depth. Considering his age and injury history as well as his inconsistency it wouldn't surprise me if they drafted a kicker. More than his age I think his injury history is a huge concern with Greg. I also think that Christian will move on where he can be a starter as he's proven himself. I still think they should transition Scott to CB where he can use his 4.3 speed and 41" vertical to match up with tall outside receivers. Barring that I think they will draft at least 1 CB in the mid to late rounds. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if they used a second or third round pick on a 3T to rotate behind AD. They also need an edge rusher behind Fowler. They will probably keep Mathews one more year but they need someone to follow on.

They also need to quit pulling Ebukam in favor of Mathews. Samson has proven he's an impact player if allowed to stay on the field. Also they simply don't have another complete OLB who can do all the things they use him for.

I think the struggles in the run game have less to do with Gurley and more to do with Kromer's mistakes with the o-line. I think people are looking at the wrong place when they criticize the run game. None of the RBs are having success....so is it all of them or is it the piss ass poor scheme used by Kromer? If the Rams used the gap power scheme like the Niners, both Gurley and Henderson would have a lot of success. So why don't they? Kromer keeps using Blythe and to run that scheme you need a legitimate NFL OG.

People keep looking at cutting Gurley which is absurd. If they release Havenstein as a post June 1 release they can split the dead cap. It would cost them about $3.1M this year and about $3M next year. But it will clear about $4.5 M in cap space. That is where IMO the key cut will be.

The biggest expenditure against the cap will be extending Littleton but he's proven he's worth the cap space to keep. I still think they will have at least $5-$6M in cap space in Sept. to start the season and they will be able to extend the key players by releasing dead weight like Brockers and Whitworth. Whit's salary alone will be enough to extend Littleton.

This is already a contender roster. They need key depth out of this draft with only one real starter at K.

 

[fearsomefour]

Whitworth will be coming back I think and the Rams need him to.

 

[Robert]

What’s absurd is people thinking Havenstein is no longer serviceable. He was one of the best right tackles in the league last few years. He had a down year and we really don’t know how long he was playing on a hurt knee. Same goes for Cooks he missed a lot of time but the guy is a top receiver in the league.

 

[Merlin]

What’s absurd is people thinking Havenstein is no longer serviceable. He was one of the best right tackles in the league last few years. He had a down year and we really don’t know how long he was playing on a hurt knee. Same goes for Cooks he missed a lot of time but the guy is a top receiver in the league.

Maybe so. But since the Rams are a tight ship when it comes to injuries all we are left to grade is the game film. And from that perspective Hav looks like a guy whose days at tackle are numbered.

I am a big fan of his though.

 

[Memento]

Why isn't Weddle in the "not good enough" category?

 

[fearsomefour]

What’s absurd is people thinking Havenstein is no longer serviceable. He was one of the best right tackles in the league last few years. He had a down year and we really don’t know how long he was playing on a hurt knee. Same goes for Cooks he missed a lot of time but the guy is a top receiver in the league.

I think the RT spot will be a competition in camp between him and Evans.
Havenstein could very well win the starting job back.
Either way the depth at RT should be stellar next year.

 

[Riverumbbq]

What’s absurd is people thinking Havenstein is no longer serviceable. He was one of the best right tackles in the league last few years. He had a down year and we really don’t know how long he was playing on a hurt knee. Same goes for Cooks he missed a lot of time but the guy is a top receiver in the league.

His being serviceable is what makes him great trade bait. We wouldn't be talking about him if he had an inspiring season, but he didn't, and that goes hand in hand with carrying over a fairly large CAP hit ($7.8mil) into a new season where every dollar is going to count. If the Rams bring back Whitworth for a final run next year, they'll also have Noteboom, Evans, Edwards & Brewer who can compete at RT, and that doesn't count another OT potentially being drafted as some here believe they should. This is just the kind of thing fans are going to talk about when a player gets paid and then regresses, so is it absurd ?, ... not imo.

 

[Merlin]

I think the RT spot will be a competition in camp between him and Evans.
Havenstein could very well win the starting job back.
Either way the depth at RT should be stellar next year.

Agreed on RT. Not even remotely worried about it. My concern is the blindside. Even if Whit returns next year the dude is up there and his skills are eroding. It took him half the season to get his feet back under him and he is looking at more of that cliff most likely next season.

Rams have to have a plan for that. And I have to assume they do, btw, otherwise they wouldn't have traded 2 high picks for Ramsey. They must think Evans or Edwards can do it, maybe even Boom.

 

[Merlin]

Why isn't Weddle in the "not good enough" category?

I think an argument can be made for both but either way he's going to be a postseason cut.

Which brings me to JJ btw... He'll be on his last year in 2020 and I would rather have him stay in horns than Littleton. Doubt the Rams can afford both.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Agreed on RT. Not even remotely worried about it. My concern is the blindside. Even if Whit returns next year the dude is up there and his skills are eroding. It took him half the season to get his feet back under him and he is looking at more of that cliff most likely next season.

Rams have to have a plan for that. And I have to assume they do, btw, otherwise they wouldn't have traded 2 high picks for Ramsey. They must think Evans or Edwards can do it, maybe even Boom.

Sign him with the understanding that his salary is reduced for an 8 game guaranteed season with a clause that gets him bonus pay for every additional game he plays in. That should be more than enough time for Noteboom to get up to speed imo. If Whit loses his job mid-season, then throw him a few extra bucks to become a player/coach. Either way, make the max earnings no more than $10mil. for the season, something less if/when Noteboom steps in for him.
jmo.

 

[oldnotdead]

I think the original plan was to have Edwards taking over at RT but in 2021. I see no reason not to start him at RT next year. Evans IMO was drafted with the intention of making him an OG because of his physical metrics. Watching both this year, Edwards struggled at times playing at OG and Evans likewise at OT. Both of their struggles IMO can be traced back to their respective physical traits. Evans is built like a OG and Edwards like an OT.

I don't think it's even close. They could have played Havenstein this year but didn't. That IMO is a sure sign they will try to move him or release him. Even with his struggles Edwards outplayed Blythe and Austin continued to play poorly at center as well. They seem to favor Brewer as the swing OT, which means there is no place for Rob. I think the game day swings will be Brewer (OT) and Shelton (OG/C).

Noteboom will be the LT next year. There was an article earlier this year where Snead talked about watching Noteboom play LT in the last regular season game. How he knew then that his evaluations on him were validated and his plan of succession was correct. IMO the only way for Whit to remain on the team is as an assistant o-line coach. Doing something he's already doing which is mentoring the young guys.

I've watched Weddle since he was a rookie. He's not even a shadow of himself now. Again if he wants to stay I can see him as an assistant DB coach.

 

[So Ram]

What’s absurd is people thinking Havenstein is no longer serviceable. He was one of the best right tackles in the league last few years. He had a down year and we really don’t know how long he was playing on a hurt knee. Same goes for Cooks he missed a lot of time but the guy is a top receiver in the league.

totally agree !! Well not that Big Rob is elite ?? I think The Offensive Lines foundations in intact !!! I don’t see the change , or wasted draft picks ???
Whit - Hav — Noteboom ??? What happens there ???

Matthews & Weddle both signed fair contracts. I think Mcvay liked leader & mentorships ???

WR core is solid as well !! A full offseason with be huge. That group can be special!!

— Why the F” The Rams never locked Corey Littleton up is beyond me !! They throw BIG Buckes around like crazy to all these players !! Like I said after the Super Bowl loss how excellent of a season he had. He covered GRonK 3 times in a row & Brady threaded one for the Key TD that lost the game. Still he took over for Ogletree who they just paid huge & isn’t as good.

 

[fearsomefour]

Agreed on RT. Not even remotely worried about it. My concern is the blindside. Even if Whit returns next year the dude is up there and his skills are eroding. It took him half the season to get his feet back under him and he is looking at more of that cliff most likely next season.

Rams have to have a plan for that. And I have to assume they do, btw, otherwise they wouldn't have traded 2 high picks for Ramsey. They must think Evans or Edwards can do it, maybe even Boom.

I don’t see how Noteboom will be ready by camp.
They are getting much quicker with recovery however.
Not a lot of great options out there. Whitworth is at least a known commodity.
Will be interesting to see if the Rams want Whitworth back.
Over pay for a FA LT?
Roll the dice on a mid round pick?
Go with an unknown like Brewer?
Luke warm options.

 

[SteveBrown]

Overall like the analysis.

O line:
Havenstein stays and starts at RT....Evans and Edwards will be very good at guard. We need a center who isn't blown back all the time...2nd round: I understand there are 3 quality centers who can start in the NFL as rookies.
Ya, it would be nice if Whit stayed around at a low price, waiting for NOteboom to get healthy.
Defense:
I say "nay" to Fowler being resigned....not even at 12 mill a year....hit and miss all the time.
Cory should stay on Rams. Do the Rams have a #32 CB....is Troy Hill that good, and can David Long play as a starter???

 

[Merlin]

I don’t see how Noteboom will be ready by camp.
They are getting much quicker with recovery however.
Not a lot of great options out there. Whitworth is at least a known commodity.
Will be interesting to see if the Rams want Whitworth back.
Over pay for a FA LT?
Roll the dice on a mid round pick?
Go with an unknown like Brewer?
Luke warm options.

It's hard for me to think we have the cap to go get a FA left tackle on the open market. Those guys don't usually hit the market when they still have something left, and even if Castonzo were to make it to the market he will have multiple suitors and bidders. Rams are probably too cap strapped to open bid for a key position like that.

But interior OL seems more doable which is why I think that's the route the Rams go.

LT is definitely the key though. I'd love to hear their internal discussions on what/how/why they'll do what they do.

 

[Reddog99]

I think an argument can be made for both but either way he's going to be a postseason cut.

Which brings me to JJ btw... He'll be on his last year in 2020 and I would rather have him stay in horns than Littleton. Doubt the Rams can afford both.

I'd like JJ to stay as well. After he went down the secondary was never the same. Him out there over Weddle or Christian I think would've made a big difference. I had high hopes for Weddle but he disappointed me this year. Christian on ther other hand surprised me with how well he played but hes not JJ.

 

[bluecoconuts]

Goff is like Mace Windu baby, all about that purple.

Dude has the ability to play at an elite level, I'm not going to knock him down just because he's young and still growing.

 

[fearsomefour]

It's hard for me to think we have the cap to go get a FA left tackle on the open market. Those guys don't usually hit the market when they still have something left, and even if Castonzo were to make it to the market he will have multiple suitors and bidders. Rams are probably too cap strapped to open bid for a key position like that.

But interior OL seems more doable which is why I think that's the route the Rams go.

LT is definitely the key though. I'd love to hear their internal discussions on what/how/why they'll do what they do.

Agree.

 

[Merlin]

I'd like JJ to stay as well. After he went down the secondary was never the same. Him out there over Weddle or Christian I think would've made a big difference. I had high hopes for Weddle but he disappointed me this year. Christian on ther other hand surprised me with how well he played but hes not JJ.

I think JJ & Rapp with Rapp being the SS for the most part will be one of the best duos in the NFL. Really hope they find a way.