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

[Akrasian]

Miller turns 30 years old in a month. Getting a first for him isn't an unrealistically low offer, especially if Miller only wants to play for a contender.

yes, it is low. You've been touting what a difference maker he is - and it's pick 31, not a typical first. Remember the Broncos would be paying $19 million of his dead money, so presumably he's a bargain.

In any case, the Broncos have no real need to move him, and especially at a bargain return.

 

[jrry32]

Remember the Broncos would be paying $19 million of his dead money, so presumably he's a bargain.

The Broncos already paid that money.

 

[Akrasian]

The Broncos already paid that money.

Yes, but as you well know, the cap hit would all be accelerated to 2019 if he is traded. That is a lot of cap space to lose for someone not on your team - and teams normally try to avoid that. They would be without their best player, would gain only a little cap space, and all for pick 31?

But of course, other teams would offer better deals than your best offer. After all, you have pointed out how he is so valuable.

 

[pmil66]

One late first round pick for Miller? Yes.
But it would take more than that.

I would give a 3rd rounder in 2020 in addition to the 1st rounder this year. No more. Denver would save 5 million on his cap hit in 2019. Miller and Donald for the next 3 seasons would be dynamic.

 

[jrry32]

Yes, but as you well know, the cap hit would all be accelerated to 2019 if he is traded. That is a lot of cap space to lose for someone not on your team - and teams normally try to avoid that. They would be without their best player, would gain only a little cap space, and all for pick 31?

But of course, other teams would offer better deals than your best offer. After all, you have pointed out how he is so valuable.

If they're rebuilding, it's better for them to eat that in a rebuilding year. Of course, acquiring Flacco is a strong indicator that they have no interest in rebuilding. Thus, it's extremely unlikely that Miller is even available. So you can spare me the shit about better deals and how unlikely this is. I simply answered the dude's question.

 

[fearsomefour]

I would give a 3rd rounder in 2020 in addition to the 1st rounder this year. No more. Denver would save 5 million on his cap hit in 2019. Miller and Donald for the next 3 seasons would be dynamic.

If I were Denver I'm looking for a package of picks.

 

[LesBaker]

Miller turns 30 years old in a month. Getting a first for him isn't an unrealistically low offer, especially if Miller only wants to play for a contender.

this is a fantasy.

 

[jrry32]

this is a fantasy.

Well, I prefer fantasy to overpaying Fowler Jr.

 

[dang]

I believe there will be a market to pay Fowler $8m-$9m/year based on how he ended the season and his age. Hypothetically would this forum prefer the Rams get Fowler for $9m/year or pick up someone like Shaquille Barrett for $7m/year.

 

[Akrasian]

I believe there will be a market to pay Fowler $8m-$9m/year based on how he ended the season and his age. Hypothetically would this forum prefer the Rams get Fowler for $9m/year or pick up someone like Shaquille Barrett for $7m/year.

Draft an edge rusher at #31, sign a thumper to replace Barron - well, technically, to replace Littleton, who would slide over to replace Barron.

Edge rusher is supposedly a strength in the draft, and if the Rams can't get Fowler because he's too pricey and will earn them a third round comp pick, move on and draft somebody, while signing a hard-hitting inside linebacker

 

[dang]

Draft an edge rusher at #31, sign a thumper to replace Barron - well, technically, to replace Littleton, who would slide over to replace Barron.

Edge rusher is supposedly a strength in the draft, and if the Rams can't get Fowler because he's too pricey and will earn them a third round comp pick, move on and draft somebody, while signing a hard-hitting inside linebacker

Assuming they are all in the $8m-$10m range - which FA ILB is the best fit/bang for the buck:
- CJ Mosely
- Anthony Barr
- Jordan Hicks
- Brandon Marshall
Note: Assuming KJ Wright will be franchised by Seattle

 

[Akrasian]

Assuming they are all in the $8m-$10m range - which FA ILB is the best fit/bang for the buck:
- CJ Mosely
- Anthony Barr
- Jordan Hicks
- Brandon Marshall
Note: Assuming KJ Wright will be franchised by Seattle

I don't want to spend 8 million to 10 million on the position - so all those guys are out - either they will take too much, or will miss too much time.

Little risky, but I'm thinking Brown or Alexander. Wright might be worthwhile too. I'm sure there are others that Wade has his eye on. I'm expecting a thumper who is cheaper than Barron - unless as some stories have hinted, the Rams think Barron will be fine - in which case I'm expecting disaster.

 

[jrry32]

Assuming they are all in the $8m-$10m range - which FA ILB is the best fit/bang for the buck:
- CJ Mosely
- Anthony Barr
- Jordan Hicks
- Brandon Marshall
Note: Assuming KJ Wright will be franchised by Seattle

Wright isn't going to be franchised. Frank Clark will be. None of the above. Cut that in half and I'm game for Brandon Marshall.

 

[BonifayRam]

Assuming they are all in the $8m-$10m range - which FA ILB is the best fit/bang for the buck:
- CJ Mosely
- Anthony Barr
- Jordan Hicks
- Brandon Marshall
Note: Assuming KJ Wright will be franchised by Seattle

I would avoid going this route of signing a UFA MLB'er. Rams will have to pay FA ILB'er Littleton either $4.5 mil or $3.12 mil or sign him to a long term contract that will require guaranteed $$.

First, I would suggest Snead re-sign a low cost $$ UFA Bryce Hager back. Hager has been the main MLB reserve for a long time. Never missed a game in 4 yrs. ST coach Bones would be very happy too.

Second, advise 2nd yr MLB'er Micah Kiser 5-11/245 to be ready to start this upcoming season on early & run downs. At the same time advise ILB'er Travin Howard to be prepared to be on the field on passing downs in when Kiser is on the sidelines.

Third, Snead will need to keep up with all veteran MLB'ers who will end up as salary cap casualties & be ready to scoop up one to sign if this MLB'er offers better skills than either Kiser/ Hager combo.

Lastly, If one of these type 2nd tier $$ veteran MLB'ers cannot be found.....be ready to select an MLB'er in the late April draft.

 

[FrantikRam]

One thing we haven't really considered: it doesn't happen too often, but I could see the Rams cutting Barron and then re-signing him for cheap.

If you're Barron, it makes sense to stay with the Rams. But if you're the Rams, there's no way you're paying that cap number.

Given Barron's injury history and the fact that he's only played well with us, I could see us asking him to take a paycut, him either doing it or saying no, then us cutting him, then him wanting to come back for $2-$3 million on a one year deal after he sees who would be interested in his services. Cold weather places would probably be out of the question, and factoring in his injury history I doubt anyone would be too interested in him.

I'd be happy with an upgrade, but at the same time, I'd take our defensive performance from last year too.

 

[BonifayRam]

One thing we haven't really considered: it doesn't happen too often, but I could see the Rams cutting Barron and then re-signing him for cheap.

If you're Barron, it makes sense to stay with the Rams. But if you're the Rams, there's no way you're paying that cap number.

Given Barron's injury history and the fact that he's only played well with us, I could see us asking him to take a pay cut, him either doing it or saying no, then us cutting him, then him wanting to come back for $2-$3 million on a one year deal after he sees who would be interested in his services. Cold weather places would probably be out of the question, and factoring in his injury history I doubt anyone would be too interested in him.

I'd be happy with an upgrade, but at the same time, I'd take our defensive performance from last year too.

I have looked @ this option too. Mark came from the deep south on the gulf about 2 hrs from me in Mobile AL. He started early in HS & played on several HS championship teams @ RB & LB'er. Mark was the MVP of the 2007 Class 5A state championship game after rushing for 1,094 yards on 122 carries with 15 touchdowns in his senior season. Mark was a track & field star too. Mark was also named a first-team Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State selection in Class 5A as a senior. Mark was ranked as a five-star prospect and the number one weakside linebacker in the Class of 2008. He was a true bona fide athlete in high school.

In college @ Alabama, Mark started as a true freshman 2× BCS national champion (2009, 2011). Three times First-team All America @ Bama. Drafted top seven by the Bucs who traded him to St Louis then onto LA. The past seven seasons Mark has averaged close to 90 tackles per season:shocking:. last season Mark was on his first divisional championship team & then this season he was on the NFC championship team & started in the SB. He has lived a dream @ every level in football!

The last two season Mark has been slowed & playing hurt. He had two different bone grinding surgeries to his ankle & his shoulder, plus the fact that Mark has hammy issues since college. There is a ton of hard fast mileage on Mark's body. You mentioned that Mark might consider taking a big pay cut..... he could but the way I see it .....Mark signed a big rookie contract 4 years $14.465 million with Tampa Bay. Then followed up & signed really big NFL contract 5 years, $45 mil. contract with the Rams, including a $5 mil signing bonus, $20 mil guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $9 mil. :bow:...........Mark will not take a pay cut. Not with all he has done the last seven seasons. I would not even consider going to him with that offer.

IMO Mark needs to be cut loose & test the Free Agency waters for the first time. It would be best for him to go to a young losing building team who plays a 43 defense who needs a veteran WeakSide OLB'er where he can help with his NFL knowledge & wisdom after playing on a championship Ram team. Mark is a champion would who bring much to a team in need of leadership & can pay him his worth for what he has done & accomplished @ only 30 yrs of age.

 

[Ram65]

One thing we haven't really considered: it doesn't happen too often, but I could see the Rams cutting Barron and then re-signing him for cheap.

If you're Barron, it makes sense to stay with the Rams. But if you're the Rams, there's no way you're paying that cap number.

Given Barron's injury history and the fact that he's only played well with us, I could see us asking him to take a paycut, him either doing it or saying no, then us cutting him, then him wanting to come back for $2-$3 million on a one year deal after he sees who would be interested in his services. Cold weather places would probably be out of the question, and factoring in his injury history I doubt anyone would be too interested in him.

I'd be happy with an upgrade, but at the same time, I'd take our defensive performance from last year too.

Cutting Barron depends on when the Rams need the cap space. He won't cost them anything until the season begins. He has a per game roster bonus and salary. So the Rams have time to deal with Barron. Rams can let his agent shop around to see his value. They should be able to at least wait till the draft. I like keeping him for 2-3 Million. Who will pay him much more?

 

[Merlin]

I would avoid going this route of signing a UFA MLB'er. Rams will have to pay FA ILB'er Littleton either $4.5 mil or $3.12 mil or sign him to a long term contract that will require guaranteed $$.

I agree with this to an extent. I mean if we can get an ILB in here who upgrades us at a reasonable deal then do it. But I wouldn't pay big money for ILB on the FA market.

The FA move that I fear the Rams will make is OLB. Simply due to need for that blindside rusher, the way those guys go off the board so fast in the early going, and the fact that if they can find that everything is changed defensively. Why I fear it is because they are going to overpay for whoever it is, so if it's a median type guy he's gonna be paid more than he should and if it's a top name on the market it's gonna be a huge contract with a lot of risk.

All that aside IF they can hit on the signing boy are they suddenly lookin great. Because the draft has plenty of NT and DL depth options, and ILB and safety types are much easier to find through most drafts.

What I'd do, however, is go get a FA safety to pair with Johnson and greatly improve our coverage. I'd sign Clinton-Dix, trade JRey as part of a package for Reed, then draft OLB & NT.

 

[kmramsfan]

I don't see why we would spend more than $7 - $8M / year for him. He played next to the best guys he's ever played with and wasn't a factor enough times for me. Except for the Brees hit
He made some plays and had some pressures and so on, but I expected more from him for the money.