Recouping some picks

[I like Rams]

So since the only thing I personally have left to look forward to this season is speculating trades we will make in the offseason to make our draft a little more exciting, I've been thinking about who we could possibly use as trade bait.

1. Dante Fowler
Pretty much the only guy that MIGHT get us a 1st rounder. If he was playing at the same level all year I would say without a doubt we get a 1st for him. But his play has been inconsistent, much like the whole defense outside of Littleton and AD. I'm guessing we could get a 2nd and third for him.

2. Cooks
No way we get as much as we gave for him, and finding someone to take on his contract will be near impossible. I feel we can strike a deal with a team where we pay off a portion of his contract and they take on the rest and throw in a 4th.

3. Matthew's
I was real big on Matthew's after the first quarter of the season, but his play as of late leaves much to be desired. He constantly misses running qb's and his tackling has been piss poor in some games. I dont think we drop off too much if we let Ebomb start again. If anything I think we can get a third for him.

4. Weddle
Weddle retires.

Not sure theres anyone else worth trading. Not interested in the Goff or Gurley trading talks bc those will never happen and they should not happen. Chime in if you have any ideas.

 

[TexasRam]

Fowler is on a 1 year contract so will be a free agent, cant trade him.

Save nearly 4 million by letting Matthews go, so I am all for that. Ebu has really stepped up this year.

Cooks - No idea how the injury settlement works but that seems like the best scenario.

Weddle - Can save another 4 Million there. But Hard to tell if he is contributing to the pass defense that has been real good at times. Liability in the run game a few games for sure. Dallas, Balt etc.

I maybe use that money on resigning Whitworth. Let Blythe Go. Corbett to the bench. Havenstein back at RT. Edwards and Evans are my guards and a draft a new center early in the draft. I try to get a veteran guard in free agency as well, if possible.

 

[MadGoat]

1. Dante Fowler

He's a free agent.

2. Cooks

He'd likely cost the Rams a 2nd to get someone to take his contract. With his deal, don't expect him to be playing anywhere else until 2022.

3. Matthews

He won't bring anything in trade, but he may be cut to afford some help at other position or to resign Littleton.

 

[oldnotdead]

Why would we trade Fowler who is the only edge rusher they have? They traded to get him and he's delivered. That makes no sense.

Why do they need all these picks again? They have their starters on the entire roster already. They traded for Ramsey because they know this and so 2 first round picks are meaningless.

They will be drafting for depth and development and you don't need first round picks for that. This is a young team, and Snead isn't going to throw it all away like some teams do only to be in a constant state of rebuilding that never ends.

This team is built with the exception of maybe a couple of positions where there is going to be competition, but no starters need to be taken in this draft.

It's not about money, because they will have adequate cap to extend guys like Fowler that need to be extended.

Face it dude this team is pretty much built and it's actually better now than last year and that was a SB team.

The o-line is new and it's young but I for one have seen enough to know that there is real promise in these guys. The problem was the residual vets, in Blythe, Havenstein, and Whitworth. Last Sunday it was mostly Whitworth and Blythe struggling more than the new guys. Do you think rookies next year on the o-line will play better than the guys we got already? No way.

You want to trade someone? IMO the one likely to be traded is NRC because he's not worth the $6.7M his cap number will be next year. Deayon could probably replace him right now but since they are paying NRC he plays. His play is good enough to draw attention if the price is right from a CB needy team. But no one is going to give much more than a mid-rounder for him due to his physical limitations as strictly a slot CB and his big cap number which can be turned into a signing bonus if the new team gives him a new contract. IMO Gervase would be a better CB especially as a nickel DB. He has the length to match up with a TE, the long speed to play the position with really good short area quickness and agility. My point being they already have options.

Fowler will be extended, Okoronkwo will replace Brockers if he isn't extended at a more reasonable number to play NT. Young will replace Reeder (probably a gradual replacement), and Johnson will replace Weddle. Christian will be a FA and will want to go somewhere he can start. He's good enough he will have no problem finding a team. But they have Jake Gervase or Nick Scott to step into that spot.

Edwards will probably move to RT and Evans to RG, with Blythe leaving and Allen returning. Noteboom will replace Whitworth and Corbett probably stays at LG. IMO the only question on the o-line is what they do with Havenstein. Rob will have a cap number of $7.5M which is a lot for a backup. But he carries a $6.1M deadcap number so they must carry him one more year probably as the swing but Shelton and Brewer will probably have the game day swing covered. $7.5 M is too much to have sitting on the bench. So the only place for him would be to play at OG for a year, probably at RG to allow Evans or Edwards to continue to develop. Then Evans and Shelton can be the game day swings.

There simply are no glaring holes in the starting lineup to think they need higher draft picks. More to the point, Snead is very good at moving around on draft day by trading picks without trading players. They are only missing 1st and 5th round picks with probably a second 3rd round pick coming as compensatory. With what they have and packaging NRC that's all Snead needs. Like I said this draft is more about depth not finding starters.

 

[I like Rams]

For some reason I thought Fowler signed for 2 years... guess i was wrong.

On Cooks, i already said i think it would be nearly impossible to get someone to take his contract, which is why i said we would have to eat some of it to make it more appealing. Eating dead money is never good, but he has not been the same player since his last concussion. Not to mention hes had 2 in the last season and a half. If his production continues to fall do we continue paying him or do we eat some money, find a cheap replacement and actually make the money we ate worth it by finding a cheaper player that produces?

With weddle I never said we trade for him. Nowhere does it say we trade, I said he retires.

 

[I like Rams]

Why would we trade Fowler who is the only edge rusher they have? They traded to get him and he's delivered. That makes no sense.

Why do they need all these picks again? They have their starters on the entire roster already. They traded for Ramsey because they know this and so 2 first round picks are meaningless.

They will be drafting for depth and development and you don't need first round picks for that. This is a young team, and Snead isn't going to throw it all away like some teams do only to be in a constant state of rebuilding that never ends.

This team is built with the exception of maybe a couple of positions where there is going to be competition, but no starters need to be taken in this draft.

It's not about money, because they will have adequate cap to extend guys like Fowler that need to be extended.

Face it dude this team is pretty much built and it's actually better now than last year and that was a SB team.

The o-line is new and it's young but I for one have seen enough to know that there is real promise in these guys. The problem was the residual vets, in Blythe, Havenstein, and Whitworth. Last Sunday it was mostly Whitworth and Blythe struggling more than the new guys. Do you think rookies next year on the o-line will play better than the guys we got already? No way.

You want to trade someone? IMO the one likely to be traded is NRC because he's not worth the $6.7M his cap number will be next year. Deayon could probably replace him right now but since they are paying NRC he plays. His play is good enough to draw attention if the price is right from a CB needy team. But no one is going to give much more than a mid-rounder for him due to his physical limitations as strictly a slot CB and his big cap number which can be turned into a signing bonus if the new team gives him a new contract. IMO Gervase would be a better CB especially as a nickel DB. He has the length to match up with a TE, the long speed to play the position with really good short area quickness and agility. My point being they already have options.

Fowler will be extended, Okoronkwo will replace Brockers if he isn't extended at a more reasonable number to play NT. Young will replace Reeder (probably a gradual replacement), and Johnson will replace Weddle. Christian will be a FA and will want to go somewhere he can start. He's good enough he will have no problem finding a team. But they have Jake Gervase or Nick Scott to step into that spot.

Edwards will probably move to RT and Evans to RG, with Blythe leaving and Allen returning. Noteboom will replace Whitworth and Corbett probably stays at LG. IMO the only question on the o-line is what they do with Havenstein. Rob will have a cap number of $7.5M which is a lot for a backup. But he carries a $6.1M deadcap number so they must carry him one more year probably as the swing but Shelton and Brewer will probably have the game day swing covered. $7.5 M is too much to have sitting on the bench. So the only place for him would be to play at OG for a year, probably at RG to allow Evans or Edwards to continue to develop. Then Evans and Shelton can be the game day swings.

There simply are no glaring holes in the starting lineup to think they need higher draft picks. More to the point, Snead is very good at moving around on draft day by trading picks without trading players. They are only missing 1st and 5th round picks with probably a second 3rd round pick coming as compensatory. With what they have and packaging NRC that's all Snead needs. Like I said this draft is more about depth not finding starters.

Fowler is not the only edge rusher we have, Obo is considered a lb and is used on the edge when Fowler is out. Why he would take Brockers spot makes zero sense.

I'm not sure how you think we resign Fowler when we also need to lock up Ramsey and Littleton next season, which then we also have Kupp, Johnson and Woods the following seasons after. Someone has to walk.

With the oline, I have no faith in Allen. He was the worst center in the league when he was playing and the line played better until last week with him on the bench injured. I dont think you can say there are no glaring holes when we said the same thing last season about our oline and look at it this year. Notebook is in no position to take Whitworths spot as of now. He struggled and looked overwhelmed all the way til he was injured. It took a bit for Whit to talk himself into coming back this year. I doubt he has much confidence in getting to a sb next season with having the same talent he had surrounding him earlier this year, next year. So I too think he is gone.

 

[gabriel18]

They can't afford Fowler , Littleton, and Kupp . I'd keep Kupp and hopefully Littleton if possible.
Weddle is a liability in all phases . He's not even a team leader with his veteran presence.
The play he tried to made early in the game on that fly ball Dak threw was God awful. A decent safety picks that off easily . He wasn't even close

 

[PhillyRam]

He's a free agent.

He'd likely cost the Rams a 2nd to get someone to take his contract. With his deal, don't expect him to be playing anywhere else until 2022.

He won't bring anything in trade, but he may be cut to afford some help at other position or to resign Littleton.

You can tag and trade Fowler just like Dee Ford and Frank Clarke last year.

Read an article recently where it was discussed that the tag and trade of pass rushers in particular, is likely to continue.

 

[BonifayRam]

Why ?

 

[FrantikRam]

Yea this is fandom at its finest, no offense.

As others have mentioned, Fowler is a FA after this year. It's possible that a team spends big on him, but not a guarantee. He didn't perform that well as a 4-3 DE, so the Rams need to think about the future - handing him a 4 or 5 year contract only for Wade to leave after next season and transition to a 4-3 would render Fowler (much) less effective. Having said that, I would still re-sign him.

Matthews and Weddle are easy cuts - no use having vets on this defense when they've put up several horrific performances.

Cooks, likely nothing to happen with him yet. And it shouldn't. He could come back and be his normal self next year.

Actual trade candidates:

John Johnson
Cooper Kupp
Samson Ebukam
Gerald Everett
Robert Woods

None of these guys are truly expendable mind you, but they fit the combination of good/young/cheap, at least for one season, and having long term potential with whatever team traded for them.

JJ - if we cut Weddle, that would leave Rapp and just some depth guys at S - obviously would be a high priority in the draft and FA - but JJ doesn't really fit into the long term plans any more, unless we sacrifice some of our WRs long term (or who we could potentially trade our WRs for below)

Kupp/Woods - we would only trade one - this is the only luxury on the roster, but at the same time, we shouldn't split this group up unless we receive an elite OL out of it, similar to when the Browns traded Kevin Zeitler last year. I have no idea if an offensive lineman of that caliber would be available, but if so, trading Kupp or Woods should be on the table - Reynolds is good enough to be a 3rd option and it's unlikely we keep all four WRs. Cooks would be the preferred one to drop at this moment, but with his contract that's not feasible

Ebukam - more value to a 3-4 team, and this is another one where I would specifically target an offensive lineman. He's not really expendable, as currently Obo would be taking over for him - but it's unclear if he can be re-signed anyways right now and may draw interest from other teams

Everett - same as Ebukam, except for expendable with Higbee under contract. Depending on what Everett is seeking, it seems likely he will be gone after next season

 

[PhillyRam]

Yea this is fandom at its finest, no offense.

As others have mentioned, Fowler is a FA after this year. It's possible that a team spends big on him, but not a guarantee. He didn't perform that well as a 4-3 DE, so the Rams need to think about the future - handing him a 4 or 5 year contract only for Wade to leave after next season and transition to a 4-3 would render Fowler (much) less effective. Having said that, I would still re-sign him.

Matthews and Weddle are easy cuts - no use having vets on this defense when they've put up several horrific performances.

Cooks, likely nothing to happen with him yet. And it shouldn't. He could come back and be his normal self next year.

Actual trade candidates:

John Johnson
Cooper Kupp
Samson Ebukam
Gerald Everett
Robert Woods

None of these guys are truly expendable mind you, but they fit the combination of good/young/cheap, at least for one season, and having long term potential with whatever team traded for them.

JJ - if we cut Weddle, that would leave Rapp and just some depth guys at S - obviously would be a high priority in the draft and FA - but JJ doesn't really fit into the long term plans any more, unless we sacrifice some of our WRs long term (or who we could potentially trade our WRs for below)

Kupp/Woods - we would only trade one - this is the only luxury on the roster, but at the same time, we shouldn't split this group up unless we receive an elite OL out of it, similar to when the Browns traded Kevin Zeitler last year. I have no idea if an offensive lineman of that caliber would be available, but if so, trading Kupp or Woods should be on the table - Reynolds is good enough to be a 3rd option and it's unlikely we keep all four WRs. Cooks would be the preferred one to drop at this moment, but with his contract that's not feasible

Ebukam - more value to a 3-4 team, and this is another one where I would specifically target an offensive lineman. He's not really expendable, as currently Obo would be taking over for him - but it's unclear if he can be re-signed anyways right now and may draw interest from other teams

Everett - same as Ebukam, except for expendable with Higbee under contract. Depending on what Everett is seeking, it seems likely he will be gone after next season

You can tag and trade Fowler.

Chiefs did this with Ford and Seahawks with Clark. Even Clowney ultimately was traded after being tagged, but that happened too late.

Eagles considered tagging & trading Foles, but felt they owed him to let him choose his team and they had zero cap space at the time to do it.

So yeah, even if its for a 2nd or maybe a 3rd and a 5, it would be worth it to get those picks now.

 

[I like Rams]

Yea this is fandom at its finest, no offense.

As others have mentioned, Fowler is a FA after this year. It's possible that a team spends big on him, but not a guarantee. He didn't perform that well as a 4-3 DE, so the Rams need to think about the future - handing him a 4 or 5 year contract only for Wade to leave after next season and transition to a 4-3 would render Fowler (much) less effective. Having said that, I would still re-sign him.

Matthews and Weddle are easy cuts - no use having vets on this defense when they've put up several horrific performances.

Cooks, likely nothing to happen with him yet. And it shouldn't. He could come back and be his normal self next year.

Actual trade candidates:

John Johnson
Cooper Kupp
Samson Ebukam
Gerald Everett
Robert Woods

None of these guys are truly expendable mind you, but they fit the combination of good/young/cheap, at least for one season, and having long term potential with whatever team traded for them.

JJ - if we cut Weddle, that would leave Rapp and just some depth guys at S - obviously would be a high priority in the draft and FA - but JJ doesn't really fit into the long term plans any more, unless we sacrifice some of our WRs long term (or who we could potentially trade our WRs for below)

Kupp/Woods - we would only trade one - this is the only luxury on the roster, but at the same time, we shouldn't split this group up unless we receive an elite OL out of it, similar to when the Browns traded Kevin Zeitler last year. I have no idea if an offensive lineman of that caliber would be available, but if so, trading Kupp or Woods should be on the table - Reynolds is good enough to be a 3rd option and it's unlikely we keep all four WRs. Cooks would be the preferred one to drop at this moment, but with his contract that's not feasible

Ebukam - more value to a 3-4 team, and this is another one where I would specifically target an offensive lineman. He's not really expendable, as currently Obo would be taking over for him - but it's unclear if he can be re-signed anyways right now and may draw interest from other teams

Everett - same as Ebukam, except for expendable with Higbee under contract. Depending on what Everett is seeking, it seems likely he will be gone after next season

Yea this is fandom at its finest, no offense.

As others have mentioned, Fowler is a FA after this year. It's possible that a team spends big on him, but not a guarantee. He didn't perform that well as a 4-3 DE, so the Rams need to think about the future - handing him a 4 or 5 year contract only for Wade to leave after next season and transition to a 4-3 would render Fowler (much) less effective. Having said that, I would still re-sign him.

Matthews and Weddle are easy cuts - no use having vets on this defense when they've put up several horrific performances.

Cooks, likely nothing to happen with him yet. And it shouldn't. He could come back and be his normal self next year.

Actual trade candidates:

John Johnson
Cooper Kupp
Samson Ebukam
Gerald Everett
Robert Woods

None of these guys are truly expendable mind you, but they fit the combination of good/young/cheap, at least for one season, and having long term potential with whatever team traded for them.

JJ - if we cut Weddle, that would leave Rapp and just some depth guys at S - obviously would be a high priority in the draft and FA - but JJ doesn't really fit into the long term plans any more, unless we sacrifice some of our WRs long term (or who we could potentially trade our WRs for below)

Kupp/Woods - we would only trade one - this is the only luxury on the roster, but at the same time, we shouldn't split this group up unless we receive an elite OL out of it, similar to when the Browns traded Kevin Zeitler last year. I have no idea if an offensive lineman of that caliber would be available, but if so, trading Kupp or Woods should be on the table - Reynolds is good enough to be a 3rd option and it's unlikely we keep all four WRs. Cooks would be the preferred one to drop at this moment, but with his contract that's not feasible

Ebukam - more value to a 3-4 team, and this is another one where I would specifically target an offensive lineman. He's not really expendable, as currently Obo would be taking over for him - but it's unclear if he can be re-signed anyways right now and may draw interest from other teams

Everett - same as Ebukam, except for expendable with Higbee under contract. Depending on what Everett is seeking, it seems likely he will be gone after next season

I would say fandom at its finest is the "it's not over" thread. We have a better chance of getting picks for players than making the playoffs.


Edit: not sure why that quotes twice.

 

[MadGoat]

You can tag and trade Fowler just like Dee Ford and Frank Clarke last year.

Read an article recently where it was discussed that the tag and trade of pass rushers in particular, is likely to continue.

The Rams would get a better compensatory pick for him than they would in trade, and wouldn't have to tie up a $15+ million cap hold in the process. it's like a hypothetical Cooks trade. It could happen, but it doesn't actually make sense.

 

[jrry32]

Robert Woods is our best trade chip. I'd hate to see Robert go, but he's signed at a discount through 2021 and is expendable with Kupp, Cooks, Reynolds, and greater use of 12 personnel. However, I'm not sure I'd trade him. It's a tough call. I think we could get at least a third from a team like Oakland. Nobody is going to want to trade for Cooks' contract.

 

[Ram65]

Actual trade candidates:

John Johnson
Cooper Kupp
Samson Ebukam
Gerald Everett
Robert Woods

Nice post. These are the candidates for a trade. I hate to say it but, Kupp likely gets you the most back and the Rams may not be able to afford him at IIRC around $19 Million a year or even a little less. I know his resigning money won't kick in till 2021 but Rams are already top-heavy. The other trade bait would be Everett the Rams could get good value for him. They aren't using him much anyway. Keep Woods a very good cap-wise deal. Ebu takes more snaps as Rams should drop Mathews. Not sure about JJ.

 

[Jacobarch]

Take it easy guys. Not everyone is as educated on the NFL or the Rams as some of us on these boards. Use this opportunity to educate rather than scare away new(er) fans and having less arguments over who's fault it is when the rams lose. I'm so tired of seeing people fly off the handle

 

[Jacobarch]

Robert Woods is our best trade chip. I'd hate to see Robert go, but he's signed at a discount through 2021 and is expendable with Kupp, Cooks, Reynolds, and greater use of 12 personnel. However, I'm not sure I'd trade him. It's a tough call. I think we could get at least a third from a team like Oakland. Nobody is going to want to trade for Cooks' contract.

Hell no we don't let Woods go. He's cheap and one of the best in the NFL. He's a gamer and a good guy to have on our team. If McVay can showcase Cooks the last two games of the season I'd say he'll be the one we move next year. I don't like to even think of it because I love cooks but it's a business and he hasn't been as effective as we all would have liked, mostly due to injuries.

 

[jrry32]

Hell no we don't let Woods go. He's cheap and one of the best in the NFL. He's a gamer and a good guy to have on our team. If McVay can showcase Cooks the last two games of the season I'd say he'll be the one we move next year. I don't like to even think of it because I love cooks but it's a business and he hasn't been as effective as we all would have liked, mostly due to injuries.

Woods is a good trade chip because he's relatively cheap. Teams don't trade decent compensation for bad contracts. I'm not trading Cooks for peanuts when it won't do anything for our cap situation next year. Cooks is not a good trade chip.

 

[Da-Rock]

Do we really want to trade away an asset like Woods?

Is what we get guaranteed to be as good as he is for us?