Rams 2024 Internal Free Agent Priority List (Midseason Edition)

[OldSchool]

Anybody on the OL not under long term contract needs to do two things for me. One stay healthy and two improve their run blocking.

 

[Allen2McVay]

...

They draft another edge in the second or third round. They draft a OT in the second or third round. They are projected to get a 3rd round comp pick I think they take a CB. I think they take a LB in the fourth round the Rams need a true WIL with size and speed and coverage ability.
...

Plenty of good speculation and opinion in your post. Just a couple of draft choice clarifications.

The Rams Will NOT get a 2024 Third Round Compensatory pick. They lost no free agent anywhere close in contract value to warrant a high comp pick ... not a 3rd and not a 4th ... maybe not even a 5th.

They did lose a lot of free agents; and signed none during Free Agency. So the Rams do figure to get multiple 2024 comp picks but they should all be in the 6th and 7th rounds. Maybe a 5th for someone like Matt Gay.

Also, they do not currently have a Fourth Round Draft choice. Their 2024 #4 went to Pittsburgh for Dotson.
The Rams do currently have two #5s ... their own and the Steelers' pick which also came in the Dotson deal.

 

[OldSchool]

Plenty of good speculation and opinion in your post. Just a couple of draft choice clarifications.

The Rams Will NOT get a 2024 Third Round Compensatory pick. They lost no free agent anywhere close in contract value to warrant a high comp pick ... not a 3rd and not a 4th ... maybe not even a 5th.

They did lose a lot of free agents; and signed none during Free Agency. So the Rams do figure to get multiple 2024 comp picks but they should all be in the 6th and 7th rounds. Maybe a 5th for someone like Matt Gay.

Also, they do not currently have a Fourth Round Draft choice. Their 2024 #4 went to Pittsburgh for Dotson.
The Rams do currently have two #5s ... their own and the Steelers' pick which also came in the Dotson deal.

Comp picks at best are two 6ths and 2 7ths

 

[Ellard80]

He's had a good year I never said anything to the contrary. Last week was not a performance equal to the previous weeks. And his performance prior to this year has nothing to do with these rankings and stats you listed.

Am I mistaken about his travels before the Rams or his performance last week?

Yeah I'm with you on this one... I'm okay with him as a depth guy, but not sure he is a top 2 corner on a good depth chart.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Comp picks at best are two 6ths and 2 7ths

I agree. Just felt the need to couch my opinion on a possible 5th for Matt Gay because he is the 2nd or 3rd highest compensated place-kicker in total contract value, average-annual-value and guaranteed-$.

 

[RamDino]

He's very inconsistent and has had long stretches of bad play after some good play. There's a reason every club he's been on ket him go. He also wasn't very good the last couple of games.

Exactly. And there was a reason why Pittsburg (and their fans) gave up on Dotson. I would not pay him 10 or 12 million per year because I believe he will eventually return to his old form which was average at best.

 

[rdlkgliders]

Exactly. And there was a reason why Pittsburg (and their fans) gave up on Dotson. I would not pay him 10 or 12 million per year because I believe he will eventually return to his old form which was average at best.

This is the problem with players who have consistency issue especially on the O line where generating an incentive based contract or one with incentive perks beyond number of games started is very tough. It is easy to get fooled into the Noteboom situation, you have to be careful

 

[AvengerRam]

IMO Jackson has to dominate in the second half to keep his job. If he does the Rams will extend him. But because he's a RFA I think he gets a second round tender if the Rams have any doubts.

Dotson is a keeper for the right price. He's better than Corbett in the run game and equal in pass protection. They wanted to keep Corbett for the right price as well. Coin toss IMO.

McClendon IMO was drafted for that RG spot. So a lot depends upon how good or not they feel about him.

Witherspoon IMO gets a 3 year deal.

Freeman gets at least a two year deal. RB room should be Williams, Freeman, Evans

Shelton gets a 4 year deal.

Noteboom gets his remaining $20M on his contract restructured to over the remaining 3 years on the deal. He starts at RT or RG depending upon Dotson and McClendon.

They will draft at least one WR. WR room: Kupp, Nacua, Atwell, drafted player, Skowronek (I think next year will be Benny's last as a Ram), Smith (I think he becomes the returner if not this year than next year as Trammell brings nothing to the table as a WR).

They draft another edge in the second or third round. They draft a OT in the second or third round. They are projected to get a 3rd round comp pick I think they take a CB. I think they take a LB in the fourth round the Rams need a true WIL with size and speed and coverage ability. Be it a LB or SS converted to LB that is what they need. It's why I think Fuller only gets extended if he can play that position. He needs to bulk up and strengthen to do it. Otherwise, I expect Fuller will be allowed to walk. They look to get a comp pick in the 5th so they can take a LB or big SS in that round.

Personally I would love to see Penix with Kalen DeBoer as HC. DeBoer has an offensive background and runs an offense very much like LA does now. One thing about Kalen is he doesn't abandon the run for no reason like McVay is prone to do. He understands the importance of a balanced approach. Even if the run isn't working the threat of the run backs the front 7 off from simply teeing off on the QB. He also understands the need for a strong OL and has a very good one in front of Penix.

I know it's blasphemy in LA to say it but in many ways, DeBoer is a better HC than McVay. Whatever NFL team gets DeBoer will be a winner in short order. The last thing I want is for him to go to the SeaHawks.

So, basically, what you’re saying is…no matter what the topic is, you’re just going to go off on long winded tangents to raise your own agenda.

 

[HitStick]

I agree ... But ... Dotson may want to test free agency. How high should the Rams go with an offer?

There are plenty of guards that have contracts with Average-Annual-Values in excess of $10M-per-year.

Honestly, I know edge and CB are extremely high on everyone’s list, but there’s nothing more important to a football teams success as the offensive line. Dotson is young and is currently PFF’s top rated right offensive guard. (take that for what it’s worth). I would do everything within our power not to let him even test free agency. If the rams want to get back to the promised land, build a dominant line (on both sides) and having a guard playing at a high level IN OUR SYSTEM is more valuable that an unknown through the draft and/or free agency (to a lesser extent)

 

[Allen2McVay]

Honestly, I know edge and CB are extremely high on everyone’s list, but there’s nothing more important to a football teams success as the offensive line. Dotson is young and is currently PFF’s top rated right offensive guard. (take that for what it’s worth). I would do everything within our power not to let him even test free agency. If the rams want to get back to the promised land, build a dominant line (on both sides) and having a guard playing at a high level IN OUR SYSTEM is more valuable that an unknown through the draft and/or free agency (to a lesser extent)

Totally agree about the O-Line. That’s why I posted earlier that, for me, the importance of the Rams re-signing their own free agents begins and ends with retaining Kevin Dotson.

Only pointing out that, sometimes, players and/or their agents are unreasonable with their contract demands.

 

[Rams43]

About Dotson.

He’s literary playing at an All Pro level.

Let’s don’t overthink this. Pay the man accordingly and then that position is locked up for next 4 years and Rams can focus on LOT and maybe C for an elite OL.

 

[Londoner]

He’s literary playing at an All Pro level.

He reads the game exceptionally well.

 

[RamDino]

I agree that Dotson has played very well and i also would like to see him re-signed. I just don't want the Rams to sign him to a long term contract with big money up front and then see him revert to his play at the level it was in his first 3 years. Glad it's not my decision to make.

 

[OldSchool]

About Dotson.

He’s literary playing at an All Pro level.

Let’s don’t overthink this. Pay the man accordingly and then that position is locked up for next 4 years and Rams can focus on LOT and maybe C for an elite OL.

People are raving about his pass blocking grades which are good. His run blocking is anpther story, that part of his game is far from all pro. He needs to be better there as does the whole OL.

 

[AvengerRam]

Isaac Seumalo received a 3 year, $24M contract last season (ironically, to be Dotson’s replacement). I’d pay that.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Isaac Seumalo received a 3 year, $24M contract last season (ironically, to be Dotson’s replacement). I’d pay that.

I agree; and Austin Corbett, James Daniels (favorite of mine) and Alex Cappa all signed similar deals the year before (2022 Free Agency). All signed 3 or 4 year deals for between $8-$9M per-year.

However, about a week before Seumalo signed for 3 years / $24M, Ben Powers got 4 years and $51.5M. That's the kind of contract that seems excessive to me. The last Pro Bowl Ben Powers went to, he purchased a ticket.

 

[OldSchool]

View: https://twitter.com/salibdaniel1/status/1722823947358474521

 

[I like Rams]

Exactly. And there was a reason why Pittsburg (and their fans) gave up on Dotson. I would not pay him 10 or 12 million per year because I believe he will eventually return to his old form which was average at best.

The poster you quoted was talking about Witherspoon, not Dotson.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Stafford’s cap number jumps to $49.5M in 2024. I wonder if there is any palatable way to lower that to help add more players?

Dotson would be one less hole along a line that already needs help.

 

[RamDino]

The poster you quoted was talking about Witherspoon, not Dotson.

I know. The point I was making about Dotson was the exact same point @OldSchool was making about Witherspoon. He looked great early on but lately... not so much. There is a reason why teams let players go. I just don't want the Rams to pay excessive contracts to players after a few games only to cut them 2 years later and eat dead cap dollars. I remember a lot of posters were willing to lock up Alaric Jackson after a few games, and I was hopeful too. Look how that is turning out. And I saw someone mentioning that Noteboom can start at G or RT next year... really? Do we want to go thru that again next year?