Rams UFA Re-signing Priority List (Top 10)

[BonifayRam]

Good players on really good teams, often get over-paid by weak teams, with salary cap space because they have done a poor job of drafting and developing. The Rams used to be one of those weak teams that did a poor job of drafting and developing ... and ... then over-paid for free agents.

I am curious what the Rams' UFAs will be offered on the open market. Especially Noteboom, Williams, Corbett and Allen.

No way anyone can put up a valid argument against @Allen2McVay in this above first paragraph.

All of us who have been NFL fans, some of us going on a half-century should know very well this will be the case in this season's FA'cy in less than a month. The Ram UFA 's will be on most all other teams' top radar shopping lists....which is a very sad event for Ram fans.

We also know that Snead has a long history paying starting caliber LT & RT's, whereas he does not highly prize interior OL'ers in FA'cy.

 

[Kupped]

Von Miller is the most important one for me. You invested a 2nd and a 3rd because an edge like him transforms your D. I would protect him and Floyd by playing Hollins, Garrett and Lewis a bunch early in the season.. probably would draft another developmental edge as well. Ernest Brown may get the call on first down against run-heavy teams.
Edge is so important that I might even consider seeing how cheaply Fowler would come back for, if his status is that of being released and not an FA.

Noteboom is a close second because of familiarity and positional value and the uncertainty behind him.

After that? The Rams have shown an ability to find solutions at all of the other positions, so I'm just not that worried. I hope there is a vigorous market for Williams so the Rams get a decent comp.. I think SJD will get a nice contract as well.

Rochell needs to grow a bunch and I'd draft at least one Corner.
If Allen and Corbett get overpaid by someone else, you enjoy the comp picks.

OBJ may not even play this season, so I don't see the need to sign anything at the moment. If anything, an incentive driven one-year deal so that he can be in the building doing his rehab.

I liked Michel.. But I probably would be drafting an RB. Vet RBs are always available, it seems.

 

[Allen2McVay]

The Ram UFA 's will be on most all other teams' top radar shopping lists....which is a very sad event for Ram fans.

And if (when) the above makes any Rams’ fan sad, we can bask in the warmth and glow of being fans of the 2021 Super Bowl Champions.

God’s in heaven, and all is right in the world.

 

[Kupped]

No way anyone can put up a valid argument against @Allen2McVay in this above first paragraph.

All of us who have been NFL fans, some of us going on a half-century should know very well this will be the case in this season's FA'cy in less than a month. The Ram UFA 's will be on most all other teams' yop radar shopping lists....which is a very sad event for Ram fans.

We also know that Snead has a long history paying starting caliber LT & RT's, whereas he does not highly prize interior OL'ers in FA'cy.

It's a little sad... but not very, to me.
Why? We won with those guys!! It was great!

The Rams also embrace change.. and rotation elements of your roster is a good thing, imo.. keeps shit fresh.

 

[Merlin]

Allen's a solid center who can be used in zone or duo. His size problems prevent him from being in a power scheme but tbh there's a shit ton of teams running zone and duo so he's gonna get good offers. Some dumb team is going to overpay his ass in FA.

I like the guy. But I hope the Rams don't waste critical cap resources on a guy like him who is replaceable. You can find centers into midrounds in the draft and develop them. Rams have a guy in Shelton who is very close to Allen so little dropoff. Let him go get that payday elsewhere.

Corbs is probably the safest guy to sign of the three OL FAs. He has logged snaps i.e. stayed healthy since he got here, improved a ton on stunts, has a good all-around game and plays through the whistle. But he's not a difference maker. He's a good starter. Rams with this model can't pay good starters. This model is going to require tough decisions in an offseason like this so buckle up.

 

[Kupped]

Allen's a solid center who can be used in zone or duo. His size problems prevent him from being in a power scheme but tbh there's a shit ton of teams running zone and duo so he's gonna get good offers. Some dumb team is going to overpay his ass in FA.

I like the guy. But I hope the Rams don't waste critical cap resources on a guy like him who is replaceable. You can find centers into midrounds in the draft and develop them. Rams have a guy in Shelton who is very close to Allen so little dropoff. Let him go get that payday elsewhere.

Corbs is probably the safest guy to sign of the three OL FAs. He has logged snaps i.e. stayed healthy since he got here, improved a ton on stunts, has a good all-around game and plays through the whistle. But he's not a difference maker. He's a good starter. Rams with this model can't pay good starters. This model is going to require tough decisions in an offseason like this so buckle up.

He's safe and he's what he is. I think the Rams got value for him, but I don't think they need to panic at all. I feel like the worst case scenario is them drafting their starting RG at the end of the third round this year.

 

[fearsomefour]

Several weeks ago before the SB gm. I was thinking that it would be best for the Rams to consider making Sony Michel an offer. This was due to the fact that every other Ram RB was injured this season several of them many times causing all kinds of issues. This running game was in a weakened state for the entire season due to this. Our running game in the SB was a near embarrassment too.

Since that time when I had this keeping Sony position, I believe that it would be best to let Sont depart & sign elsewhere. McVay showed me he has little use for Sony & greatly desires Cam Akers & Darryl Henderson on the field over Sony.

Sony Michel is rated the 4th best RB in UFA'cy. Played in many mega big games & always delivered. The Rams might end up with a possible 7th rd awarded compensatory pick in the 2023 draft.

His what PFF compiled on Sony:

80. RB SONY MICHEL, LOS ANGELES RAMS​

The New England Patriots declined Michel’s fifth-year option for the 2022 season and subsequently traded him to the Rams for a fifth-round pick and a sixth-rounder that will likely convert into a fourth-rounder based on conditions. Michel was solid after taking over the starting job from Darrell Henderson in Week 13, but he offers little more than downhill, north-south running without much ability to break off big gains or factor as a receiver.

Strengths:
– Well-rounded runner
– Pass protection

Weaknesses:
– Doesn't offer much as a receiver
– High percentage of runs for loss or no gain

Scheme Fit/Role:
EARLY-DOWN ROTATIONAL BACK: Michel has now posted 70.0-plus PFF rushing grades in three of his four NFL seasons across multiple schemes. He will get downhill and move the chains on the ground, but he's provided little reason to send him out on many routes through four seasons.

Recent Injury History:
Michel missed seven games with a quad injury in 2020, but he has returned in 2021 and appeared in every game for the Rams. Michel had a relatively lengthy injury history (knee injuries, in particular) coming out of Georgia and bleeding into his rookie year with the Patriots.

Contract Projection: Two years, $8.5 million ($4.25M per year), $5 million total guaranteed

Bottom Line:
Michel has proven to be an effective runner across multiple offensive schemes, but he isn't an elite creator beyond what is blocked up and has struggled to make any kind of receiving impact to this point in his career.

It's my belief it would be a very good business decision to go with what the Rams have currently signed & look for 2022 future RB prospects to add. So the Rams RB room is currently looking like these six will be here going into the draft:

Darrell Henderson
Javian Hawkins
Xavier Jones
Cam Akers
Jake Funk
Raymond Calais

We all want Akers and Henderson on the field, but, to date.....well, we need some depth.
That said, Im not opposed to a young back up....

 

[So Ram]

I agree with everything Avenger Ram said except for Darious Williams. No way I'd go over 5 mil and that would be a 1 year prove-it deal. And if Noteboom wants serious money (over 10-12 mil per), I would ask Big Whit to come back and then Alaric Jackson can take over. IF the Rams like him of course. He looked great filling in for Boom during that 1 game against a very good Minnesota D, IIRC.

Well I just state Noteboom if The Rams can’t get a deal they like will probably just tag Noteboom for 1 year like they have done in the past.
Your point about D. Williams this coming up 2022 season is a perfect example why.You lock him in & then RR31 had a season to develop.
Your other point about AJ Jackson is another reason why you extend Noteboom for another season at least.
YOUR point about WHITWORTH? Come on MAN!! Then again The GREAT ONE told him winning 1 is an awesome feeling,but winning 2 is even better.
Gretzky (Wayne) also was the one that told him once you retire you can’t comeback,and you don’t want to have doubts.
Eric Weedle though proved that theory wrong,but they both kept on telling themselves throughout the Playoffs. Let’s be Great. There is only 1 Great One that carried that nickname throughout his career.

 

[So Ram]

He's safe and he's what he is. I think the Rams got value for him, but I don't think they need to panic at all. I feel like the worst case scenario is them drafting their starting RG at the end of the third round this year.

WTF ? Yeah - right.

Austin Corbett is everything Austin Blythe wasn’t. A starting RT who can play center. He also knows the offense as good as anyone on the team.
The least amount of change the better.Then again The Rams have always let players test the market,but if not they just tag them for a season & get another comp pick down the line. Seems to be The Rams way. Who that player is ?
Brian Allen could be the guy ? Bobby Evans is a player The Rams aren’t afraid to start at guard ? At least at backup. Coleman Shelton though stepped up & just took the pressure off of what happens.

My point though is Austin Corbett brings a value like Blythe when he was The Rams starting RG before Corbett was even on the team & Allen went down as the starting center.
I never believed Austin Blythe was a starting RG in The NFL. He was a solid swing guy like Coleman Shelton.I do think he can hold down the starting Center spot for a season.Then again I don’t know how good Corbett can play center.The more experience in OTA’s & early training camp he gets the better he can become. Meaning during a game he could just slide over & then The Rams could have 1 less O’lineman on the game day 46.

 

[So Ram]

Just proof of what I was talking about Austin Blythe being a starting RG.

I like him as a center or swing. Austin Corbett is a starting RG SuperBowl champ.That might have been a different SuperBowl result either way by switching players at that time.
https://www.ramsondemand.com/threads/rams-talking-to-austin-blythe-about-remaining-with-team.57499/

 

[So Ram]

OBo is a guy like Justin Lawler.

Howard is a guy that basically got cut.

DD21 did get cut,but worked hard to stick & is undersized.

Troy Reeder is a leader

O’Line ? We’ll see what The Rams think a what there relationships are with those players. It’s a good group of young players. The Rams are stocked well & this Covid rule has been awesome for this group & depth.
J. Demby is still around which is sort of crazy,but shows how that rule works for journey men O’Lineman.

 

[So Ram]

DL ? All of a sudden everyone likes A’ Robinson. I’ve always been a fan,but in the beginning of the season there were a lot of this guy is a bust.
SJD69 was AD99’s best body.Greg(no)Gaines reminds me of how M. Brockers & Morgan Fox was with AD99 towards the end of the season but on steroids.
I’m not making the call either way on who The Rams keep,but Free Ageny should give The Rams some nice Comp picks.

 

[BonifayRam]

Which contracts will Les Snead restructure in 2022?​

How the Rams can move money around and push it down the line to keep the band together for next season
By Steven Ridings Feb 26, 2022

Which contracts will Les Snead restructure in 2022?

How the Rams can move money around and push it down the line to keep the band together for next season

www.turfshowtimes.com

Going into the 2022 offseason, the Los Angeles Rams will be looking to reconstruct their roster in order to run it back and repeat as Super Bowl Champions. Over the next four weeks, I will examine how Les Snead and Sean McVay are likely to fill out their 2022 roster through free agency, including potential cap casualties. For the most part, I will be using OvertheCap.com as a way of keeping track of the team salary cap and individual salaries.

Currently, the Rams have -$21,623,914 in cap space. While the initial number makes it seem discouraging to repeat, Los Angeles has multiple contracts with star playmakers that they can restructure in order to free up a large amount of space fairly quickly. The Rams also have a player that is considering retirement: Andrew Whitworth. His retirement would free up a large amount of cash for L.A. to spend in free agency, potentially on one of their own free agents like Joseph Noteboom, for example.

Below is an overview of a number of restructuring options for the Rams heading into the 2022 off-season.

If the Rams were to restructure all seven of these contracts, it would free up $53,118,750 in cap space. HOWEVER, there is the caveat that if you restructure a deal now, it kicks the money down the road (spread evenly into the remaining years). This can be very beneficial if the player is an absolute guarantee to be on the roster for the remainder of his contract (i.e. Aaron Donald). However, it can cause future salary complications if a) a player is not a lock to be on the roster in future years or b) if the player sustains an injury affecting future performance.

So, who should Les Snead & Sean McVay look to restructure out of these options?

LOCKS

• Aaron Donald
• Jalen Ramsey
• Cooper Kupp

That trio (3 of the 4 biggest stars on the team) alone would save $29,663,750 in cap space. This group is also the center core of the Rams moving forward. The defense runs through Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey and the offense runs through Cooper Kupp. With the moves, the Rams would have a cap space of: $08,039,836. That isn’t a lot of flexibility, but it does put the Rams back in the “black”. (Again, this does not include the fluid situation of Andrew Whitworth opting for retirement or his 17th season).

LIKELY

• Leonard Floyd
• Tyler Higbee

Here is where my writing could be subjective, but for the most part I will try to lean towards trends in what the Rams front office would likely decide. With Leonard Floyd having just signed a four-year deal in 2021, the Rams front office likely feels committed to his ability and performance on the field. Floyd also offers a versatile element to the defense as a pass-rusher: 20 sacks in two years) and as an above-average run defender. Those elements likely make the Rams feel comfortable in their investment of Floyd and would be willing to restructure his contract this off-season. Leonard Floyd’s restructure would free an additional $10,310,000 and their 2022 cap space would increase to $18,349,836.

Tyler Higbee’s case to restructure is 50/50 in my opinion. Yes, it opens up some relief for 2022. But is it significant enough? With the amount being just shy of $3 million, the Rams could use that amount or they could not. If it means being able to re-sign one of their own (L.A. will move his money - (i.e. Odell Beckham Jr.). With Higbee and Stafford showing a positive rapport with one another in their first season together, I think the Rams are confident in keeping Higbee through the duration of his contract.

UNLIKELY

• Robert Woods
• Johnny Hekker

Again, subjective thoughts come into play here. But here’s why I think the Rams avoid restructures with these two players. One, Robert Woods will be coming off an ACL tear and rehab. At age 30, Woods will likely be associated (by the public eye) as having reached the peak of his career and must now find a way to combat a knee injury on top of that. (I personally do not believe this). I actually think that based on Cooper Kupp’s ACL rehabilitation in 2018 and improvements in 2019, Robert Woods can come back just as effective of a wide receiver. But again, this comes down to money at the end of the day. The Rams have invested in the receiver position through the draft - Van Jefferson, TuTu Atwell, Jacob Harris, and Ben Skowronek. The front office could be willing to keep Woods for another year or two and then move on from him. Thus, restructuring does not seem like an option.

Alas, Johnny Hekker. The undrafted punter from 2012 went from potential 2021 training camp release to SB champion. The Rams and Hekker mutually reworked his deal and the Rams promptly traded his competition (Bojorquez) to the Packers for a 2023 7th round pick. But now that the Rams won a Super Bowl, do they feel like they need a costlier punter long-term? I believe he’ll return in 2022, but he can opt-out and choose free agency in 2023. I think this will happen and it doesn’t make sense for the Rams to defer his money.

Stay tuned next week as we dive into the Rams players entering free agency for the next roster overview!

 

[FrantikRam]

I know this is old news and we won the SB which I am super grateful for but this is why I was extremely upset we didn't draft Creed Humphrey. We are now in a position where we have to pay an IOL some cash when we could have had a top center on a rookie contract and made the decisions on the o line much easier. Oh well, I trust McVay and Snead will make it work.

Nothing against you specifically, but it is mind blowing to me that anyone would be upset about not drafting Humphrey now. The Bengals got more pressure on the Chiefs than they did against us.

Humphrey likely doesn't play if we draft him (and if he does, we may not have won it all).

And if he didn't play, fans here would be touting him as a bust for not beating out Brian Allen.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Nothing against you specifically, but it is mind blowing to me that anyone would be upset about not drafting Humphrey now. The Bengals got more pressure on the Chiefs than they did against us.

Humphrey likely doesn't play if we draft him (and if he does, we may not have won it all).

And if he didn't play, fans here would be touting him as a bust for not beating out Brian Allen.

No worries as I don't take anything personal unless someone personally attacks me if that makes sense lol......but I disagree with you there on Humphrey. Sounds like he didn't have a terrible game and he was also rated better than Allen but most centers this season.....

The reason to be upset at this point (and trust me, its more on the marginal side now thanks to winning a SB) is that we missed on a great center vs nothing we got in return for a tiny WR plus he would have been much cheaper thanks to his rookie contract. This would have allowed us more cap room to work with in regards to the oline. With all this said, I do understand there isn't anything that can be done to change that and just look at it as a great opportunity missed which every team has (hello Aaron Donald lol....oh and he's no Aaron Donald, just using a missed player example). I trust McSnead has a plan and hey, I'm good with our SB champion front office making those decisions hahaha

 

[Allen2McVay]

Take a quick guess on Matthew Stafford's career earnings.

I did and guessed $200M.

I did three quick internet searches and came up with three comparable amounts ... $236M, $243M and $246M.

Yikes!!!

I think NFL players have to take the most guaranteed money they can get. Almost always. Almost.

An exception might be a 34-year-old-QB who has already made almost a Quarter-of-a-Billion-$.

That's B-for-Billion! Again Yikes!!!

Why should Stafford take less than $35M-$45M-per?
Because it's in his best interest; and he's been around long-enough to know that.

Top-tier-QB, on a top-tier-team, in a top-tier-city translates to a great time, with many high-profile games; and, if they win, a shit-load more money in endorsements.

If Stafford takes below-market-$, the Team will be stronger ... he will be more successful ... have more fun ... AND ... ultimately make even more money.

Hey, a guy can hope!

 

[dang]

Take a quick guess on Matthew Stafford's career earnings.

I did and guessed $200M.

I did three quick internet searches and came up with three comparable amounts ... $236M, $243M and $246M.

Yikes!!!

I think NFL players have to take the most guaranteed money they can get. Almost always. Almost.

An exception might be a 34-year-old-QB who has already made almost a Quarter-of-a-Billion-$.

That's B-for-Billion! Again Yikes!!!

Why should Stafford take less than $35M-$45M-per?
Because it's in his best interest; and he's been around long-enough to know that.

Top-tier-QB, on a top-tier-team, in a top-tier-city translates to a great time, with many high-profile games; and, if they win, a shit-load more money in endorsements.

If Stafford takes below-market-$, the Team will be stronger ... he will be more successful ... have more fun ... AND ... ultimately make even more money.

Hey, a guy can hope!

Stafford might be the exception but NFL players are generally looking for market value contracts (vs team friendly contracts). The Rams need to be/will be creative in promoting the entire net benefit of signing with a playoff level team in the LA market (incentives, playoff $$, endorsements, sun snd fun in southern CA, creative business opportunities, etc.).

 

[Rams43]

Signing Allen, Corbs, SJD, Williams, Deayon, or Oko would be a mistake. Period. Because none are worth keeping at FA prices when the dropoff from them to our depth replacements is so minimal. In some cases the depth might even be better. So all of them are gone IMO because the Rams know this.

Signing Michel would be a mistake because paying a depth RB at FA rates would be stupid. It's a position you can find in every draft all through said drafts. We're a star-oriented roster that's the cost of it unfortunately.

That leaves only Beckham, Boom and Miller.

I was convinced prior to Beckham's injury that we'd keep him and move Woody. After the injury I think we just keep both now. Though IMO it might be wise to move Woody because I don't think he's worth that contract but I realize I am alone or damn near in that take. So the Rams catch a break here and keep that WR room loaded which is a good thing for us. That injury was a windfall for the Rams.

Miller's basically the big piece the Rams have to sit down with. He's the guy teams want which means options which means competition which means pricey. Rams are readying shit to try to get this done I am sure, which might include movement of some players we like. I'm ready to see a guy I don't want to lose get dealt or cut.

Boom we'll see. He's the one I don't have a feel for either way. But if the Rams want him they will move Whit's cap space to him basically.

Snead/McVay originally intended to deploy all 3 of Kupp, Woods, and OBJ when OBJ was first signed, then the Woods injury forced them to alter their plans.

My point is that I think the Rams would LOVE to have all 3 as weapons for ‘22 and I think they signed OBJ with the intention of extending him for this year.

It’s a very bold strategy but, then again, both Snead and McVay are very bold thinkers. I predict that all 3 will be torturing opposing teams all year and Stafford will think he died and went to heaven!

If Snead can maintain a good OL this offseason then I think this O in ;22 will be virtually unstoppable.

 

[Kupped]

Take a quick guess on Matthew Stafford's career earnings.

I did and guessed $200M.

I did three quick internet searches and came up with three comparable amounts ... $236M, $243M and $246M.

Yikes!!!

I think NFL players have to take the most guaranteed money they can get. Almost always. Almost.

An exception might be a 34-year-old-QB who has already made almost a Quarter-of-a-Billion-$.

That's B-for-Billion! Again Yikes!!!

Why should Stafford take less than $35M-$45M-per?
Because it's in his best interest; and he's been around long-enough to know that.

Top-tier-QB, on a top-tier-team, in a top-tier-city translates to a great time, with many high-profile games; and, if they win, a shit-load more money in endorsements.

If Stafford takes below-market-$, the Team will be stronger ... he will be more successful ... have more fun ... AND ... ultimately make even more money.

Hey, a guy can hope!

I've been posting this angle a bunch. 6th most in career earnings already... being in one of the last classes where first picks got paid huge turbocharged his earnings.
I've also either read or heard, I can't remember where, that money just isn't going to be an issue with him. I won't be surprised at all to see him take a Brady-type deal.
I get the argument that players want to get paid.. but he's been paid to lose for more than a decade and won a Super Bowl in year one with the Rams. I think players only consider taking less if they believe the organization will be fully committed to winning and Stafford knows that's the case with the Rams and that he will not have any more wasted years.

 

[Kupped]

Stafford might be the exception but NFL players are generally looking for market value contracts (vs team friendly contracts). The Rams need to be/will be creative in promoting the entire net benefit of signing with a playoff level team in the LA market (incentives, playoff $$, endorsements, sun snd fun in southern CA, creative business opportunities, etc.).

Matt's made a shit ton and will keep making a shit-ton. He can afford to take less.

Look at how happy his wife is in SoCal, hanging with Kupp & Whitworth... can't put a price on that.