Ranking our 2025 UFA Class

[DzRams]

It’s a lot, but it minimizes the long term commitment and buys more time to figure the position out. We can always try to sign him later.

You're right that it minimizes the long-term commitment but that's all it does.

And for what? They know now whether they like him or not. He's had nearly 2000 snaps at LT over three years now. 2000 is the number of snaps Kevin Dotson had when they traded for him with the plan to plug him in as a starting OG. It's more than enough snaps to evaluate a player.

If they like him, make the long-term commitment now. If they don't like him or are iffy on him, pass.

 

[Lunchbox]

Agree ... and I don't like the idea of building a roster by signing other teams' top free agents.
Augmenting the roster ... YES. Building it with key pieces ... NO.

I took a quick look at the current crop of 2025 free agents, focusing on Left Tackles, Cornerbacks and interior, run-stuffing D-Line (don't expect Bobby Brown to be re-signed). It's mostly an unimpressive list in my opinion, with a few good, veteran DL.

I consider those positions to be the Rams' primary 2025 Needs ... plus another WR.

Outside of Jedrick Wills, I don't see LTs that represent a clear improvement over Alaric Jackson; and I really don't see the Browns (even though they are cap strapped) letting Wills hit Free Agency.

So holding-on to Jackson and drafting a cornerback, might make sense. By-the-way, I also hate the idea of using a first round pick on a specific position. Far too restrictive.

Agree with all of this.

 

[JonRam99]

DRob - I agree with everything you said about scheme fit but I suspect they'll be looking to make a big move at WR. They will have some money to spend and not many urgent free agents to retain as you noted. I think WR will be the position partially because they went hard after Mike Evans this last year. I could see them upgrading DRob with a Tee Higgins or Chris Godwin.

Atwell - He's gone. He's never fit or developed chemistry with Stafford. Also, see comment above on DRob.

DRob - I dunno, Evans, Tee, or Godwin will wanna be WR1, and that's complicated. The OP had it right -- DRob is a perfect WR3. In single coverage, he's deadly. I guess tho, with Kupp - Puka - Evans, we have WR1a-1b-1c, so who do you cover with your CB1? Kupp in single coverage would be open all day long. And Kupp & Puka are now injury risks. And let's say they're both on IR, like earlier this year, then without DRob it's Evans - J.Whitt - ???

Atwell - maybe, only if we do indeed get a WR1 in F/A. Otherwise, who else is gonna stretch the field like he does? whoever we get, will have to fill a WR1 role, imho.

 

[Allen2McVay]

DRob - I dunno, Evans, Tee, or Godwin will wanna be WR1, and that's complicated. The OP had it right -- DRob is a perfect WR3. In single coverage, he's deadly. I guess tho, with Kupp - Puka - Evans, we have WR1a-1b-1c, so who do you cover with your CB1? Kupp in single coverage would be open all day long. And Kupp & Puka are now injury risks. And let's say they're both on IR, like earlier this year, then without DRob it's Evans - J.Whitt - ???

Atwell - maybe, only if we do indeed get a WR1 in F/A. Otherwise, who else is gonna stretch the field like he does? whoever we get, will have to fill a WR1 role, imho.

In my opinion, the thing with Kupp and Nacua is that they WILL miss games due to injury.

It's their playing style. They are very good after the catch, and fight for every yard. They are physical receivers that give and take punishment. When either one is out, it has a major impact on the Rams' Offense.

If the Rams could find a WR that could do some of the things Kupp and Nacua do (maybe it's Whittington); and allow Robinson (if he is re-signed) to remain in the same role, that would be ideal.

When it comes to free agency, I look at the list of projected free agent WRs but I start with the 2nd and 3rd tier guys because cap space disappears real fast.

The Rams are currently projected to have $50M-plus of cap space to open the 2025 but that's miss-leading because they only have about 42 or 43 players under contract. I believe the magic number is 51 players. Even if those are minimum contracts, you have to take another $7-$9M off the current projected cap space number.

 

[JonRam99]

In my opinion, the thing with Kupp and Nacua is that they WILL miss games due to injury.

It's their playing style. They are very good after the catch, and fight for every yard. They are physical receivers that give and take punishment. When either one is out, it has a major impact on the Rams' Offense.

If the Rams could find a WR that could do some of the things Kupp and Nacua do (maybe it's Whittington); and allow Robinson (if he is re-signed) to remain in the same role, that would be ideal.

When it comes to free agency, I look at the list of projected free agent WRs but I start with the 2nd and 3rd tier guys because cap space disappears real fast.

The Rams are currently projected to have $50M-plus of cap space to open the 2025 but that's miss-leading because they only have about 42 or 43 players under contract. I believe the magic number is 51 players. Even if those are minimum contracts, you have to take another $7-$9M off the current projected cap space number.

Agreed. It's how they play.
But, that said, if we're going to look at 2nd to 3rd tier guys anyway... let's just keep DRob around. And JWhitt. Then we'd have:
Kupp - Puka - DRob - JWhitt as your 1st string WR line-up.

But let's say this: you actually do get a Tee or Godwin or Evans to come here. Our WR room looks like:
Godwin (or other) - Kupp / Puka (keep subbing them for each other) - DRob - JWhitt, with X.Smith the PR/KR guy.
A 3-WR lineup of Godwin - Kupp/Puka - DRob/JWhitt is killer. And a 4-WR Red-Zone lineup of Godwin - Kupp - Puka - DRob is indefensible.
jmho lol. We got options, I guess is what I'm saying.

....aaand, if we go T.Warren at TE in the '25 draft... all our RZ issues are addressed. NO ONE will be able to defend that lineup.

 

[Merlin]

There are big changes ahead at wideout most likely. Rams will be looking for a legit X. No idea if a legit option hits the market, but even if it doesn't we'll see another addition in the draft that has some wheels to him to project into that role.

Rams have two problems here. First is that they lack raw speed and athleticism, as both Kupp and Puka are elite possession types who separate underneath but cannot stretch the field and have low chances of busting long TDs. Second is that they need those two to move the chains but both have a play style that leads to being dinged up.

So that combination means they need one of two things... Either an elite X type to give them both possession and field stretching with big play threat. Or an elite pass game TE who can assist on the chain moving side of the house and threaten a bit in the seams.

Now if DRob is cheap then sure, I could see him sticking around. Rams may not be able to solve the additional receiving game threat this next offseason so he would be helpful if that is the case. But I expect they are going to try to add an X type if at all possible so he's probably going to move on. Good chance we see some big changes in the WR room.

 

[majrleaged]

You're right that it minimizes the long-term commitment but that's all it does.

And for what? They know now whether they like him or not. He's had nearly 2000 snaps at LT over three years now. 2000 is the number of snaps Kevin Dotson had when they traded for him with the plan to plug him in as a starting OG. It's more than enough snaps to evaluate a player.

If they like him, make the long-term commitment now. If they don't like him or are iffy on him, pass.

Sure they know what they have. Maybe they like him but want better, but better isnt available right then. You cant just kick him to the curb without a replacement. So in that senario it makes sense.

 

[TheTackle]

Talking about ranking our UFA how about our Rookie UFA? What a crop!

 

[Memento]

Talking about ranking our UFA how about our Rookie UFA? What a crop!

It's amazing how our rookie classes from the last two years have impacted this team's trajectory. Our entire special teams battery, the vast majority of our front four and backups to the front four, a top receiver, two key depth receivers, a fair few secondary members, a lot of our O-line, half of our running back room, a tight end whom I think should start, and a potential starting inside linebacker?

That's incredible scouting. Going back another year gives us another two secondary pieces (Durant and Lake), the rest of our running back room (K-Will and Rivers), and another backup offensive lineman (Bruss). That's not even including pieces like Alaric Jackson (2021 UDFA) and Michael Hoecht (2020 UDFA, while not a starter, a key reserve).

Snead and his group deserve an enormous amount of credit for the drafts and UDFAs.

 

[So Ram]

It's amazing how our rookie classes from the last two years have impacted this team's trajectory. Our entire special teams battery, the vast majority of our front four and backups to the front four, a top receiver, two key depth receivers, a fair few secondary members, a lot of our O-line, half of our running back room, a tight end whom I think should start, and a potential starting inside linebacker?

That's incredible scouting. Going back another year gives us another two secondary pieces (Durant and Lake), the rest of our running back room (K-Will and Rivers), and another backup offensive lineman (Bruss). That's not even including pieces like Alaric Jackson (2021 UDFA) and Michael Hoecht (2020 UDFA, while not a starter, a key reserve).

Snead and his group deserve an enormous amount of credit for the drafts and UDFAs.

You forgot backup QB -K/P

& DK1 who Puka has been talking highly of. - of course there still is a Haters group.He came in w/ Durant.

 

[Memento]

You forgot backup QB -K/P

& DK1 who Puka has been talking highly of. - of course there still is a Haters group.He came in w/ Durant.

I was never a fan of the Bennett pick, nor am I a fan of Kendrick's antics, so forgive me for my omission. Didn't forget Karty or Ethan Evans; that's why I stated, "special teams battery" (including Alex Ward, our long-snapper, Evans, and Karty).

 

[fearsomefour]

Bobby Brown is playing well.
I do agree with the opinion the Rams tend to telecast some of their future moves via the draft and they added some bulky run stoppers in the draft.
That said, Brown is 24 years old and if he costs $5-6M a year, Id keep him.

 

[So Ram]

I was never a fan of the Bennett pick, nor am I a fan of Kendrick's antics, so forgive me for my omission. Didn't forget Karty or Ethan Evans; that's why I stated, "special teams battery" (including Alex Ward, our long-snapper, Evans, and Karty).

OH - I’M SO SORRY u didn’t like the picks & 4 omitted them.

SO SAD RAM FAN - weak

Just saying weak imo - there still on the roster. DERION - will be back.That is another reason T’White got traded.(puma’s talked about him multiple times) IMO.

 

[So Ram]

Bobby Brown is playing well.
I do agree with the opinion the Rams tend to telecast some of their future moves via the draft and they added some bulky run stoppers in the draft.
That said, Brown is 24 years old and if he costs $5-6M a year, Id keep him.

Did Merlin read this ? WOW - BubbaRams favorite player.

Fiske has been pretty awesome,especially for a rookie.

When Shula was saying what he was going to take away from Wade Phillips & others.The rotation (vision) is what I’d imagined from 2019.

-That 2019 season against the 9ers still is sort of mind blowing.

I could do a comparison of the 2 RAM defensive fronts.

 

[So Ram]

Example- Hoecht is like Clay Matthews.The Morgan Fox is what the transition (lol) was supposed to have looked like..

Smart & Gaines aren’t as good as say Bobby Brown & Jonah Williams.

When will Fiske get doubled & triple teamed like AD99 use to.
Kobie Turner has been pretty RAD !

 

[RamFan503]

OH - I’M SO SORRY u didn’t like the picks & 4 omitted them.

SO SAD RAM FAN - weak

Just saying weak imo - there still on the roster. DERION - will be back.That is another reason T’White got traded.(puma’s talked about him multiple times) IMO.

Dude. You need to chill the fuck out when addressing other members of this forum.

 

[Memento]

OH - I’M SO SORRY u didn’t like the picks & 4 omitted them.

SO SAD RAM FAN - weak

Just saying weak imo - there still on the roster. DERION - will be back.That is another reason T’White got traded.(puma’s talked about him multiple times) IMO.

Just saying, Tre'Davious White was dealt because we have a bunch of cornerbacks (namely Williams, Durant, and Witherspoon) that took his place, and he had obviously never recovered fully from his injuries. We did right by him, letting him go to a team where he could play instead of being healthy scratched.

Kendrick won't be back until next year, which is what happens with torn ACLs, and he'll be in a contract year next year along with Durant.

I want to see more of the young corners (Wallace, Woods, and Lampkin, possibly even THT, if they haven't entirely given up on him) and what they can do, and we'll likely select a cornerback with one of our first three picks, possibly even double down later on, (and given that D-Will will be another year older and Durant and Kendrick are in contract years, it makes sense to double down).

 

[So Ram]

Just saying, Tre'Davious White was dealt because we have a bunch of cornerbacks (namely Williams, Durant, and Witherspoon) that took his place, and he had obviously never recovered fully from his injuries. We did right by him, letting him go to a team where he could play instead of being healthy scratched.

Kendrick won't be back until next year, which is what happens with torn ACLs, and he'll be in a contract year next year along with Durant.

I want to see more of the young corners (Wallace, Woods, and Lampkin, possibly even THT, if they haven't entirely given up on him) and what they can do, and we'll likely select a cornerback with one of our first three picks, possibly even double down later on, (and given that D-Will will be another year older and Durant and Kendrick are in contract years, it makes sense to double down).

Jolly is even back on the practice squad.Why The Rams didn’t resign Whiterspoon after last season is Beyond me,but there damn lucky they did.DK1 was going to be a starter coming out of OTA’s.
Yeah - Bobby Brown was a survivor.Is he brought back.IMO he is playing for a contract,but totally respected by his peers.

You have your opinion,which is well respected & valued.Your guess is as good as mine.I’d never have imagined that EJ53,Cam Akers,or Van Jefferson would have been let go for so cheap right before the start of a season.

 

[Merlin]

Did Merlin read this ?

Nobody is happier with Brown's improvement than I am. That said I'm not sure what the dude's deal is that he requires four games to get into run stopping shape. And not sure it will continue.

Either way this next offseason they need to go get a widebody for that defensive front. A big fucker with a big ass to eat up that middle. I'd like two actually but that's probably being greedy.

 

[So Ram]

Nobody is happier with Brown's improvement than I am. That said I'm not sure what the dude's deal is that he requires four games to get into run stopping shape. And not sure it will continue.

Either way this next offseason they need to go get a widebody for that defensive front. A big fucker with a big ass to eat up that middle. I'd like two actually but that's probably being greedy.

Dude - enjoy Bobby Brown as a Ram. Then if things change,start putting in for a late XMas List !

TIS THE SEASON!! The Rams still win The Superbowl & if nothing else,maybe playoffs.

#99 for ND is a STUD and 1st rd draft pick.