Offseason Depth Chart

[Merlin]

So Whitworth & Littleton fall into that same category ?? As well as Flower ??

that a big part of The Rams core right there !!

Crazy in a sense , but I’ll keep going to the young Offensive Line !! They are the future because of the Cap Space they provide. A young core group with friendly cap space & all hopefully ascending players.
Same with the DB’s !!! That is what is making the end of the season fun !! You can see the future right there with real bullets sort of speak.

I definitely think we need to separate guys into core and short-term categories.

The ones who aren't "We Not Me" types are short-term roster fills. Same with those who are JAGs in terms of playing ability, as generally they're going to get replaced at some point down the road, or older players. Lot of the additions brought in were short-term fills... Whitworth even as good as he was on the field and in the locker room was meant to hold LT until they could restack it. Sully same deal he just wasn't as successful holding off the erosion in his skills. Talib same due to age and Peters due to his inability to consistently do his job plus the scheme struggles.

Ramsey was a deviation in that way. Risk with him is can they sign him and is he going to be a "We Not Me" fit. Personally I'm not sure of either but he is a fantastic player and definitely a core guy regardless of whether the Rams can keep him.

Fowler is a rental IMO. He's a short-term guy and has been since the Rams didn't elect to sign him when they could buy low. Just my take and I think he's still a bit childish and not the type of guy you want to put a big investment into.

Littleton has the look of a core player. Johnson is also a core player at least to my eye. Can the Rams get them both inked? Might be one or the other because they have to get Ramsey done and lock up his value they paid 2 first round picks for. If it's one or the other I choose Johnson. As much as I like Littleton he's not an elite ILB so only way I keep him is if he's got a realistic take on his value which typically doesn't happen.

 

[So Ram]

I definitely think we need to separate guys into core and short-term categories.

The ones who aren't "We Not Me" types are short-term roster fills. Same with those who are JAGs in terms of playing ability, as generally they're going to get replaced at some point down the road, or older players. Lot of the additions brought in were short-term fills... Whitworth even as good as he was on the field and in the locker room was meant to hold LT until they could restack it. Sully same deal he just wasn't as successful holding off the erosion in his skills. Talib same due to age and Peters due to his inability to consistently do his job plus the scheme struggles.

Ramsey was a deviation in that way. Risk with him is can they sign him and is he going to be a "We Not Me" fit. Personally I'm not sure of either but he is a fantastic player and definitely a core guy regardless of whether the Rams can keep him.

Fowler is a rental IMO. He's a short-term guy and has been since the Rams didn't elect to sign him when they could buy low. Just my take and I think he's still a bit childish and not the type of guy you want to put a big investment into.

Littleton has the look of a core player. Johnson is also a core player at least to my eye. Can the Rams get them both inked? Might be one or the other because they have to get Ramsey done and lock up his value they paid 2 first round picks for. If it's one or the other I choose Johnson. As much as I like Littleton he's not an elite ILB so only way I keep him is if he's got a realistic take on his value which typically doesn't happen.

This last game will help find a couple ascending players.

I put Clay in a good spot. Weddle is worth keeping, even if it’s just depth. Maybe even a reverse special teams guy ?? Part like a Whit & Sully .

 

[Ramstien]

My thinking is that Weddle and Matthews production can both be replaced with younger players. I know how hard it is to hang it up when you have been good so good at something for a long time. It's hard to go back to the middle of the pack after being the lead dog. You have to take a long look in the mirror and be honest with yourself. It is hard to do when you love something and you can still do it but just not as good as you use to.

 

[Merlin]

This last game will help find a couple ascending players.

I put Clay in a good spot. Weddle is worth keeping, even if it’s just depth. Maybe even a reverse special teams guy ?? Part like a Whit & Sully .

Weddle is a type A leader. When a guy like him has his skills erode, it effs with his mojo and the trust factor in the locker room. His play has degraded too much, and as a result he's going to be cut. No way the Rams bring him back IMO. We don't need him back there making JJ question himself next year in camp.

Clay still has some game to him the guy can still rush the passer. But I do agree with those who think we can get similar production from the youth. It's just a shame the dude got hurt this year. So it wouldn't surprise me if the Rams gave him a look in camp with a chance to win the job in direct competition.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Weddle is a type A leader. When a guy like him has his skills erode, it effs with his mojo and the trust factor in the locker room. His play has degraded too much, and as a result he's going to be cut. No way the Rams bring him back IMO. We don't need him back there making JJ question himself next year in camp.

Clay still has some game to him the guy can still rush the passer. But I do agree with those who think we can get similar production from the youth. It's just a shame the dude got hurt this year. So it wouldn't surprise me if the Rams gave him a look in camp with a chance to win the job in direct competition.

Agree on Weddle. I have Matthews listed as that final bubble player who stays or goes based on CAP & what it might take to keep one of our own potential free agents or signing someone from outside. Malcolm Brown is in the same territory but provides less CAP savings. jmo.

 

[Rams43]

I definitely think we need to separate guys into core and short-term categories.

The ones who aren't "We Not Me" types are short-term roster fills. Same with those who are JAGs in terms of playing ability, as generally they're going to get replaced at some point down the road, or older players. Lot of the additions brought in were short-term fills... Whitworth even as good as he was on the field and in the locker room was meant to hold LT until they could restack it. Sully same deal he just wasn't as successful holding off the erosion in his skills. Talib same due to age and Peters due to his inability to consistently do his job plus the scheme struggles.

Ramsey was a deviation in that way. Risk with him is can they sign him and is he going to be a "We Not Me" fit. Personally I'm not sure of either but he is a fantastic player and definitely a core guy regardless of whether the Rams can keep him.

Fowler is a rental IMO. He's a short-term guy and has been since the Rams didn't elect to sign him when they could buy low. Just my take and I think he's still a bit childish and not the type of guy you want to put a big investment into.

Littleton has the look of a core player. Johnson is also a core player at least to my eye. Can the Rams get them both inked? Might be one or the other because they have to get Ramsey done and lock up his value they paid 2 first round picks for. If it's one or the other I choose Johnson. As much as I like Littleton he's not an elite ILB so only way I keep him is if he's got a realistic take on his value which typically doesn't happen.

Nice post, Merlin, and I pretty much resonate with it.

Btw, JJ doesn’t need to be extended just yet since he’s under contract through ‘20. Gotta deal with him and Kupp beyond that, though.

You know, I think that it’s just possible that the Rams are prepared to bite the bullet and let both Littleton and Fowler walk while letting their current backups take their respective places and backload with the draft.

Yeah, might sound risky at first, but I’m sensing that the Rams kinda like their backups and the Rams have to face the reality of a cap hit tsunami every off-season. So, maybe this is the off-season to draw a line in the sand to gain some breathing room for the future cap-wise.

 

[Reddog99]

I think Brown and Weddle are gone for sure. Brown didn't bring much to the table and was hurt often. I think we find a big tank like RB. With Weddle being like a coach on the field and the leader of the secondary I can't help but think he was a big part of the defensive collapse those few times. Honestly felt like Talib had better control of the secondary. As much as I don't want it to happen I believe Littleton and Fowler are both gone. I can also see them maybe keeping the cheaper of the two but I won't hold my breath. Brockers is gone and I think Whitworth likely returns but I wouldn't be surprised if not. I think we keep Havenstien. IMO we definitely pick up in FA/draft OL and draft DL. Christian might be gone but I wouldn't mind keeping him for depth if he's cheap. ST needs to get its mojo back outside of Hekker they've been either a non factor or they hurt us this year. We have our core guys still playing well along with depth guys showing potential this season otherwise I would be nervous about next season.

 

[Merlin]

I think Brown and Weddle are gone for sure. Brown didn't bring much to the table and was hurt often. I think we find a big tank like RB. With Weddle being like a coach on the field and the leader of the secondary I can't help but think he was a big part of the defensive collapse those few times. Honestly felt like Talib had better control of the secondary. As much as I don't want it to happen I believe Littleton and Fowler are both gone. I can also see them maybe keeping the cheaper of the two but I won't hold my breath. Brockers is gone and I think Whitworth likely returns but I wouldn't be surprised if not. I think we keep Havenstien. IMO we definitely pick up in FA/draft OL and draft DL. Christian might be gone but I wouldn't mind keeping him for depth if he's cheap. ST needs to get its mojo back outside of Hekker they've been either a non factor or they hurt us this year. We have our core guys still playing well along with depth guys showing potential this season otherwise I would be nervous about next season.

I'm thinking one of multiple big backs that will go mid to late rounds in this draft. Guy like Spencer Brown who brings size and physical run style would be ideal IMO, Rams could transition him to FB in addition to depth carries late in games to eat clock. He's a likely late rounder depending on his 40 time and in this draft class there are multiple options.

Key is fixing the line of course. But once that's done the Rams adding a physical element changes things quite a bit and helps round out a backfield that will be able to do a little of everything behind that new line.

Oh and btw keep in mind McVay tried to draft a FB already. So it's something he's wanted to do to expand his offense. Mundt has showed some proficiency in maybe serving in that kind of role, but I think rounding out the RB room would be a very wise thing to do because you don't have to do it in early rounds.

 

[So Ram]

Weddle is a type A leader. When a guy like him has his skills erode, it effs with his mojo and the trust factor in the locker room. His play has degraded too much, and as a result he's going to be cut. No way the Rams bring him back IMO. We don't need him back there making JJ question himself next year in camp.

Clay still has some game to him the guy can still rush the passer. But I do agree with those who think we can get similar production from the youth. It's just a shame the dude got hurt this year. So it wouldn't surprise me if the Rams gave him a look in camp with a chance to win the job in direct competition.

when Clay broke his jaw against the Hags. Sucked !! I’m not sure how Mcvay will handle the offseason?? Will be interesting to see how he plays it. Then will get an even better ideas about how The Rams organization is run & direction they may take ? Weddle is a player Mcvay respects .

 

[PhillyRam]

Never thought of this, but if Whitworth wants to keep playing, and a contender goes after him, the Rams might get a decent comp pick.

Maybe the Chiefs, Steelers, Pats, etc...

Or maybe he goes back to Cincy to help the start of their rebuild with a rookie QB as a last contribution to his longtime franchise.

In either case he might get a decent 1 yr deal.

If so the Rams might be more willing to retain Fowler or Littleton since they will get an extra comp pick for Whitworth.

Because I guarantee you that they are very cognizant of the fact that as of now I believe they have only 4 picks in the 21' draft.... Picks in rds 2,3,6,7

So they need comp picks for Brockers, Christian, Blythe, and maybe Whitworth.

Then maybe you keep Fowler or tag and trade him. Or you keep Littleton or you get a 3rd rd comp for him.

Will be interesting, but they will try to max those comp picks.

This will be like the 2018 offseason when they jettisoned Quinn, Austin, & Ogletree, and let Johnson walk to reshape their cap structure.

 

[PhillyRam]

BTW, I can see the Rams signing one decent priced FA and that would be along the DL...

A lot of interesting DTs will be available. Young 4 yr vets types to replace Brockers.

Could also see a vet C like Sullivan was, while they sort out the kids, including a high draft pick.

2024 NFL Free Agents Tracker

Tracking the status and signings of all 2024 NFL free agents.

www.spotrac.com

 

[FarNorth]

So let’s potentially trade Rob in his prime because Evans played average down the stretch? Weren’t we just complaining about our oline being our weak point? I don’t see a top 5 right tackle declining at 27 years of age for no reason so yes it’s absurd people want to jump off a cliff over a bad year. I would bet he was playing through injury but only time will tell. If he isn’t on the roster come next season we will have our answer

Agree with the skeptics on getting rid of Havenstein. Seems by far most plausible to me that Havenstein was injured and we will find out after the season.

We screwed up this year by underestimating our needs on the O-line. We are sunk again next year if we can't field an effective O-line, including at least some experience and depth.

No doubt grabbing back cap space is key, but do we we start with our one proven, under contract, experienced, and (hopefully) not yet over the hill lineman?

Especially since there is no obvious cap savings. Who will take on Havenstein's salary if we are giving up on him? Who do we get in return or instead? And are we then back to no experienced O-line depth?

Just for some grim amusement, wonder how our season might have turned out had we resigned Saffold instead of, say, Fowler who now seems a likely lost free agent.

 

[Ramstien]

To me Littleton is more important to the future of the Rams than Fowler!