Rams 2019 free agency preview: Tag, re-sign or let Dante Fowler Jr. walk?

[IBruce80]

I would like to see him back.
However, how much will he cost?
Despite some crucial plays, can he continue to improve?
If not him then who are our options?
Half a season, playoffs, and Super Bowl appearance with us.
One could have expected more from Fowler, Brockers, and Suh with Donald being double and triple teamed.
I am in favour of Franklin-Myers and keeping Brockers and Fowler.
Suh came good at the end, but dont know what he has long term.

Tough dilemma.

 

[Akrasian]

I am in favour of Franklin-Myers and keeping Brockers and Fowler.
Suh came good at the end, but dont know what he has long term.

Yeah, I think that makes the most sense. The Rams will not be able to afford an OLB better than Fowler - at least without leaving major holes elsewhere. Brockers' cap hit I think can be reduced by extending him - and if he knows to gain back weight, he's a productive NT. In addition, there is the question of draft pick compensation. Suh likely fetches the Rams a third. Brockers if cut gets the Rams nothing. If the Rams have to sign somebody to replace Fowler, that is likely a draw. Keep the comp pick train coming.

 

[dang]

Yeah, I think that makes the most sense. The Rams will not be able to afford an OLB better than Fowler - at least without leaving major holes elsewhere. Brockers' cap hit I think can be reduced by extending him - and if he knows to gain back weight, he's a productive NT. In addition, there is the question of draft pick compensation. Suh likely fetches the Rams a third. Brockers if cut gets the Rams nothing. If the Rams have to sign somebody to replace Fowler, that is likely a draw. Keep the comp pick train coming.

What do we think (and how much $$ would it take) about:
Shaquill Barrett - OLB - DEN
Anthony Barr - OLB?? - MINN
Preston Smith - OLB - WASH
Za'darius Smith - OLB - BALT

 

[Akrasian]

What do we think (and how much $$ would it take) about:
Shaquill Barrett - OLB - DEN
Anthony Barr - OLB?? - MINN
Preston Smith - OLB - WASH
Za'darius Smith - OLB - BALT

Za'darius Smith will likely take too much - over $10 million per. Long term contract. The others will likely be comparable to Fowler - $7-9 million per. I'd rather have Fowler. Barr is a good player, but the Rams exposed a huge weakness, and I'd rather not have a player with such a blatant weakness.

 

[OntarioRam]

People are pointing out Fowler's sack totals as if he is only a pass rusher. I was extremely surprised at how good he was against the run. He was stout. Teams really had trouble running on him. And he delivered several big hits to set the tone, like on Zeke Elliott. As long as he is willing to take a deal that is within the reasonable realm, I'd sign him. He seems to be trending nowhere but up. Brockers and Suh, I can't say that about.

 

[jrry32]

Za'darius Smith will likely take too much - over $10 million per. Long term contract. The others will likely be comparable to Fowler - $7-9 million per. I'd rather have Fowler. Barr is a good player, but the Rams exposed a huge weakness, and I'd rather not have a player with such a blatant weakness.

Well, Barr's weakness wouldn't be an issue as a 3-4 OLB. We attacked him with our WRs in the passing game. Because he was used as a 4-3 OLB, we were able to exploit that. But I don't see Barr being the right fit here. We're looking for a 3-4 WOLB; he's more of a 3-4 SOLB.

 

[Ramstien]

Well, Barr's weakness wouldn't be an issue as a 3-4 OLB. We attacked him with our WRs in the passing game. Because he was used as a 4-3 OLB, we were able to exploit that. But I don't see Barr being the right fit here. We're looking for a 3-4 WOLB; he's more of a 3-4 SOLB.

This problem could be easily solved by moving Barr to the inside in place of Barron.

 

[pmil66]

Seeing the Fowler situation very similar to the Watkins situation last year. K.C. threw a bunch of money at a former #4 pick in the draft, who had been ok with the Rams, and was young full of potential. Fowler is a former #3 pick, ok with the Rams, and young full of potential. Teams love to overpay pass rushers and receivers in free agency.

Rams going foward have Obo at Fowlers spot, and suspect the Rams will be looking for a player that has been cut looking for a one year contract, similar to Suh at DL last year.

A trade is real possibility too. Rams were in the Mack trade, did trade for Fowler. Watkins, Peters, Cooks all added by trade recently.

If Denver would be willing, Von Miller would be a dynamic addition.

 

[jrry32]

This problem could be easily solved by moving Barr to the inside in place of Barron.

Not worth it with the money he's seeking.

 

[Ramstien]

Not worth it with the money he's seeking.

We don't know this yet, he may give a discount to play in LA for a Superbowl contender. Plus Barron's release would free up some money.

 

[jrry32]

We don't know this yet, he may give a discount to play in LA for a Superbowl contender. Plus Barron's release would free up some money.

That seems unlikely.

 

[fearsomefour]

I would like to see him back.
However, how much will he cost?
Despite some crucial plays, can he continue to improve?
If not him then who are our options?
Half a season, playoffs, and Super Bowl appearance with us.
One could have expected more from Fowler, Brockers, and Suh with Donald being double and triple teamed.
I am in favour of Franklin-Myers and keeping Brockers and Fowler.
Suh came good at the end, but dont know what he has long term.

Tough dilemma.

My issue with Suh is its tough to pay a guy $14M a year when he appeared to take a good portion of the year off.
I'd gladly pay him $8M and limit his snaps if he actually tried (like in the playoffs) those plays. But, of course, there is no way to measure that. Would rather use the money it take to keep Suh to sign a couple of rotational DL and a LB.

 

[fearsomefour]

Seeing the Fowler situation very similar to the Watkins situation last year. K.C. threw a bunch of money at a former #4 pick in the draft, who had been ok with the Rams, and was young full of potential. Fowler is a former #3 pick, ok with the Rams, and young full of potential. Teams love to overpay pass rushers and receivers in free agency.

Rams going foward have Obo at Fowlers spot, and suspect the Rams will be looking for a player that has been cut looking for a one year contract, similar to Suh at DL last year.

A trade is real possibility too. Rams were in the Mack trade, did trade for Fowler. Watkins, Peters, Cooks all added by trade recently.

If Denver would be willing, Von Miller would be a dynamic addition.

Can't count on Obo. He's a late round pick who couldn't get on the field last year.
Do the Rams even have the picks to trade for Miller? This and next years first round plus other picks....hard pass.

 

[BonifayRam]

Well, Barr's weakness wouldn't be an issue as a 3-4 OLB. We attacked him with our WRs in the passing game. Because he was used as a 4-3 OLB, we were able to exploit that. But I don't see Barr being the right fit here. We're looking for a 3-4 WOLB; he's more of a 3-4 SOLB.

Did not DF Jr. play the strong side? Ebukam has been playing the weakside. We also saw rookie OLB Trevon Young in 2 gms see a little action on the weakside. Our top drafted OLB'er last year Og Okoronkwo played primarily on the weakside than strong side. Not sure how his short 6-1 253 body plays in this. I believe that Barr would work well as our strong side OLB/ER only issue with him is at what cap cost.

 

[jrry32]

Did not DF Jr. play the strong side? Ebukam has been playing the weakside. We also saw rookie OLB Trevon Young in 2 gms see a little action on the weakside. Our top drafted OLB'er last year Og Okoronkwo played primarily on the weakside than strong side. Not sure how his short 6-1 253 body plays in this. I believe that Barr would work well as our strong side OLB/ER only issue with him is at what cap cost.

I'd have to go back and recheck, but my recall is that Ebukam played primarily on the strong side (and Fowler played the weak side). For example, Ebukam is on the strong side of the formation here:


Ebukam makes a lot of sense as a SOLB because of his ability to drop into coverage. Although, it might be worth considering sliding him inside to ILB.

Okoronkwo would likely be a WOLB in this scheme. He has the coverage ability to be competent at SOLB, but I would prefer him on the weak side as a run defender.

The problem with Barr is that he'll want the sort of money that gifted pass rushers get, and he hasn't shown that ability yet. You'd have to make a projection with him, and that's a big risk.

 

[BonifayRam]

I'd have to go back and recheck, but my recall is that Ebukam played primarily on the strong side (and Fowler played the weak side). For example, Ebukam is on the strong side of the formation here:


Ebukam makes a lot of sense as a SOLB because of his ability to drop into coverage. Although, it might be worth considering sliding him inside to ILB.

Okoronkwo would likely be a WOLB in this scheme. He has the coverage ability to be competent at SOLB, but I would prefer him on the weak side as a run defender.

The problem with Barr is that he'll want the sort of money that gifted pass rushers get, and he hasn't shown that ability yet. You'd have to make a projection with him, and that's a big risk.

Ebukam sure looks versatile enough to play 3 of the four Wade LB'ers post in my view. I like Ebukam a lot & hope that Wade & Barry can find the best positions for his unique skills. He back up both posts as a rookie.

My thoughts on Barr is that he would be so happy to finally have the opportunity to play for a pressure happy DC like Wade, who would turn him loose @ playing & showcasing his best talent in the pass rush. My hope Barr would take a chance to play back here in LA where he was a star in college. But if he is just looking for the big payday there would be little hope in signing him.

Rams will have to move on & seek several second their ER prospects. What do you think of lower tier UFA ER's like Anthony Chickillo, Marcus Smith & possibly Markus Golden?

We as fans really have little knowledge as to what the Rams have in these two drafted & injured edge rushers (Okoronkwo & Young) & the possibilities they might bring to the pass rush from the OLB post in 2019.

 

[BonifayRam]

Los Angeles Rams
Outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...e-tag-candidates-predictions-all-32-nfl-teams
By Lindsey Thiry
The Rams have made a habit in recent years of using the franchise tag, most recently on safety Lamarcus Joyner and previously on cornerback Trumaine Johnson (in back-to-back seasons). But this season, the tag could be used on Fowler. The Rams traded for Fowler at midseason as a short-term rental and the former first-round pick provided a needed presence from the edge. If the Rams tag Fowler, it probably would be at the cost of a defensive end, which would amount to more than $17 million. That's a steep price tag on a roster that's also in need of a defensive tackle and potentially a safety. In 10 games with the Rams last season, including the playoffs, Fowler had 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Prediction: The Rams will not use the tag on Fowler. -- Lindsey Thiry

Minnesota Vikings
Linebacker Anthony Barr

The Vikings knew they'd face a tough decision with Barr when they opted not to extend the former first-rounder last offseason, which then put him in the position to play out his fifth-year option. Minnesota has to decide whether it wants to spend the estimated $15 million on a franchise tag to keep Barr around -- or possibly plan to trade him soon after. Barr smoothed out an up-and-down season toward the end of 2018, recording the first multiple sack game of his NFL career and generating 23 total quarterback pressures on 94 rushes, according to Pro Football Focus. While he has said he wanted to return to Minnesota, Barr expressed a desire to keep all of his options open if he hits free agency. "I know my worth and I know what I got to do I've got to do it for me," Barr said at the Pro Bowl. Though Barr has been an integral part of Mike Zimmer's defense since he was drafted in 2014, for a team up against the salary cap, spending that amount to retain Barr doesn't seem realistic when there are other more pressing needs as well as the likelihood that the Vikings will be able to find his replacement in the draft or elsewhere.

Prediction: The Vikings will not use the tag on Barr. -- Courtney Cronin

 

[jrry32]

Ebukam sure looks versatile enough to play 3 of the four Wade LB'ers post in my view. I like Ebukam a lot & hope that Wade & Barry can find the best positions for his unique skills. He back up both posts as a rookie.

My thoughts on Barr is that he would be so happy to finally have the opportunity to play for a pressure happy DC like Wade, who would turn him loose @ playing & showcasing his best talent in the pass rush. My hope Barr would take a chance to play back here in LA where he was a star in college. But if he is just looking for the big payday there would be little hope in signing him.

Rams will have to move on & seek several second their ER prospects. What do you think of lower tier UFA ER's like Anthony Chickillo, Marcus Smith & possibly Markus Golden?

We as fans really have little knowledge as to what the Rams have in these two drafted & injured edge rushers (Okoronkwo & Young) & the possibilities they might bring to the pass rush from the OLB post in 2019.

Golden is interesting. The others are more JAGs than anything else. The potentially available EDGE guys I find intriguing are:
Justin Houston
Frank Clark (likely out of our price range)
Trey Flowers (likely out of our price range)
JaDeveon Clowney (likely out of our price range)
Ziggy Ansah (likely out of our price range)
DeMarcus Lawrence (likely out of our price range)
Anthony Barr (likely out of our price range)
Cam Wake
Brandon Graham (likely out of our price range)
Terrell Suggs
Dee Ford (likely out of our price range)
Shaq Barrett
Robert Quinn
Vic Beasley
Everson Griffen
Dont'a Hightower
Preston Smith
Shane Ray
Markus Golden
John Simon

 

[pmil66]

Can't count on Obo. He's a late round pick who couldn't get on the field last year.
Do the Rams even have the picks to trade for Miller? This and next years first round plus other picks....hard pass.

Would give a first this year for Miller, Denver has Chubb and could draft a replacement with the pick.

Obo broke his foot in training camp, bad break for him. Rams did trade 2 picks to move up to draft him in round 5, they like him.

 

[Merlin]

I've heard Barr get a lot of flak for his coverage when in fact his worst game was vs our Rams and drawing a matchup very few LBs would win in Kupp. He's actually not bad on the occasional drop, and the bigger prob was schematic with him, where his coaching asked things of him that weren't his strength particularly vs 11 personnel when he finds himself manning up against better athletes.

He is better served as a rush backer, but could also play ILB on the strong side for us. Very physical player who brings some versatility. Key as always is going to be the market as the Rams won't chase ILB blindly.

OLB is where we need to be a little worried. Where they might chase a guy who eats a lot more cap.