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Rams free-agent preview: Defensive tackle
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/16684/rams-free-agent-preview-defensive-tackle-2
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The free-agent market is scheduled to open March 10 and teams may begin negotiations with those poised to hit the market beginning March 7. We'll count down to that with a position-by-position look at what the St. Louis Rams have in place, who is set to hit the market, what they might need and who might fit the bill.
Under contract: Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald
Pending free agents: Alex Carrington, Kendall Langford (released)
What's needed: The Rams have the defensive tackle duo they hope to have for a long time in place with Brockers and Donald. Donald is, perhaps, already the team's best player and took home the Defensive Rookie of the Year award for his troubles in 2014. He's under Rams' control for at least the next four years. Brockers was asked to adjust to a less glamorous role that asked him to play more of a nose position in the season's second half. He took to the role and performed better as the year went on. The Rams have until May to exercise a fifth-year option on Brockers for 2017. It's all but certain that they'll do that in order to keep Brockers around. But the Rams have little in the way of depth behind the starters. They released Langford to save salary-cap space and Carrington was a disappointment after signing a one-year deal last offseason. The door is open for Langford's return but he's expected to land a starting job somewhere else. Ends William Hayes, Eugene Sims and Ethan Westbrooks all have the ability to play inside which lessens the urgency for adding at the position but it's probably a safe bet the Rams will look to add a body or two in the draft or free agency.
Possible fits: Forget about the high-priced options like Ndamukong Suh, Terrance Knighton and Henry Melton. The Rams will likely shop in the bargain bin if they look to add someone at this position. Some of the names headed for the market include Arizona's Dan Williams, who would be a great fit for run downs as part of a rotation but will probably get a bigger role and more money elsewhere. Chicago's Stephen Paea, Denver's Mitch Unrein and Tennessee's Karl Klug are younger, lesser known types who might not command much money and would fit the bill for what the Rams are looking to spend.
Verdict: There isn't really an obvious choice or fit here for the Rams but I expect them to scour the market and look at add a veteran at some point in the process. More than likely, they'll approach things like they did with Carrington a year ago where they wait for the market to settle, see what's still available and then make a move. It's also possible they wait until the NFL draft to use a later pick to add at the position. The flexibility provided by Sims and Hayes should allow them to pursue this position with less urgency than other spots though make no mistake, depth is needed.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/16684/rams-free-agent-preview-defensive-tackle-2
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The free-agent market is scheduled to open March 10 and teams may begin negotiations with those poised to hit the market beginning March 7. We'll count down to that with a position-by-position look at what the St. Louis Rams have in place, who is set to hit the market, what they might need and who might fit the bill.
Under contract: Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald
Pending free agents: Alex Carrington, Kendall Langford (released)
What's needed: The Rams have the defensive tackle duo they hope to have for a long time in place with Brockers and Donald. Donald is, perhaps, already the team's best player and took home the Defensive Rookie of the Year award for his troubles in 2014. He's under Rams' control for at least the next four years. Brockers was asked to adjust to a less glamorous role that asked him to play more of a nose position in the season's second half. He took to the role and performed better as the year went on. The Rams have until May to exercise a fifth-year option on Brockers for 2017. It's all but certain that they'll do that in order to keep Brockers around. But the Rams have little in the way of depth behind the starters. They released Langford to save salary-cap space and Carrington was a disappointment after signing a one-year deal last offseason. The door is open for Langford's return but he's expected to land a starting job somewhere else. Ends William Hayes, Eugene Sims and Ethan Westbrooks all have the ability to play inside which lessens the urgency for adding at the position but it's probably a safe bet the Rams will look to add a body or two in the draft or free agency.
Possible fits: Forget about the high-priced options like Ndamukong Suh, Terrance Knighton and Henry Melton. The Rams will likely shop in the bargain bin if they look to add someone at this position. Some of the names headed for the market include Arizona's Dan Williams, who would be a great fit for run downs as part of a rotation but will probably get a bigger role and more money elsewhere. Chicago's Stephen Paea, Denver's Mitch Unrein and Tennessee's Karl Klug are younger, lesser known types who might not command much money and would fit the bill for what the Rams are looking to spend.
Verdict: There isn't really an obvious choice or fit here for the Rams but I expect them to scour the market and look at add a veteran at some point in the process. More than likely, they'll approach things like they did with Carrington a year ago where they wait for the market to settle, see what's still available and then make a move. It's also possible they wait until the NFL draft to use a later pick to add at the position. The flexibility provided by Sims and Hayes should allow them to pursue this position with less urgency than other spots though make no mistake, depth is needed.
