You can add one piece to the offense this offseason, what do you add?

[Ram Ts]

But the #1 add - clearly is CB.

Next is a special WR to complement Puka the next few years. whether that we a big target or guy with speed.

 

[Merlin]

They are not going to replace Shelton this year imo. The best we can hope for is to draft a high ranked in 3-5th round and develop him to take over in 2027.
2nd round would seem to rich for them to spend on a backup. 6-7th round is more likely (but not best hope). Or none at all and they keep developing what they currently have (probably most likely of all scenarios).
I’d love a 3rd round top 1-3 ranked OC or a move up into 4th to grab a guy that is surprisingly still there.

I was surprised after looking at the Rams OL deals...

LT: Jackson has 2 years remaining on his deal with a $25M cap hit. Rams have an out after this season.

LG: Avila is a 2026 free agent.

C: Shelton is a 2026 free agent. He has an out the Rams can execute with a $4.5M hit. $9.5M hit this season.

RG: Dotson is a 2026 free agent. Thought his deal was longer wow.

RT: McClendon is a 2026 free agent.

The above makes me feel like the Rams may draft OT at some point. Not necessarily high. But a dev OT may be likely.

If they want to go another direction in regard to where the money is on their OL, this offseason and the next are the window to do so.

 

[Merlin]

So using the post above as reference if they were to sign a C in FA it would be very easy to plan around that in regard to restacking your line and who's being retained and paid.

They still run into the problem though that you can't pay everyone on a line. Well maybe the Rams can with cap magic but what they could do is pay the newcomer at Center then select one of the three who are pending FAs and sign them as well.

That would still feel like it requires an iOL and OT in the draft. So what they may be doing now is seeing who is willing to take a reasonable deal a year out.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I was surprised after looking at the Rams OL deals...

LT: Jackson has 2 years remaining on his deal with a $25M cap hit. Rams have an out after this season.

LG: Avila is a 2026 free agent.

C: Shelton is a 2026 free agent. He has an out the Rams can execute with a $4.5M hit. $9.5M hit this season.

RG: Dotson is a 2026 free agent. Thought his deal was longer wow.

RT: McClendon is a 2026 free agent.

The above makes me feel like the Rams may draft OT at some point. Not necessarily high. But a dev OT may be likely.

If they want to go another direction in regard to where the money is on their OL, this offseason and the next are the window to do so.

Add to this the lingering questions about Jackson's availability at any given time with blood clot issue, McClendon being good but not great at RT and a lack of a backup OT on the roster, I think adding a high end tackle could absolutely be in the cards for Rams. I think there are some intriguing options too at the top of the draft.

Count me as someone who likes McClendon but am open to upgrading there and think we absolutely can. Additionally, if we could draft an elite guy with left side/right side versatility, that guy can probably take over for McClendon and even flip sides if Jackson gets hurt allowing McClendon to take over RT. Eventually they make take over at LT.

McClendon from what I see is strictly a RT and you don't want him backing up LT at all.

While an elite pass catcher or CB at the top of the draft would be nice, I wouldn't just pass on an elite OT prospect that could push the run game to the next level (our pass pro was pretty good already last year).

 

[dang]

They are not going to replace Shelton this year imo. The best we can hope for is to draft a high ranked in 3-5th round and develop him to take over in 2027.
2nd round would seem to rich for them to spend on a backup. 6-7th round is more likely (but not best hope). Or none at all and they keep developing what they currently have (probably most likely of all scenarios).
I’d love a 3rd round top 1-3 ranked OC or a move up into 4th to grab a guy that is surprisingly still there.

Pat Coogan/OC INDIANA should be available in R4/early R5 if Rams wanted to trade up a bit.

 

[Mackeyser]

But the #1 add - clearly is CB.

Next is a special WR to complement Puka the next few years. whether that we a big target or guy with speed.

I agree CB should be the move…either Jaylon from KC or Jamel Dean from Tampa, but the Rams except for Ramsey don’t tend to shoot high in FA for defensive backfield under McSnead.

I think they’d like to take a crack at Crosby, but with them turning down 2 1sts from Seattle, we’re not gonna pay that price and BY is only ascending.

I know the like Shelton, but Linderbaum is a huge upgrade in the run game and about even if not better in the pass game.

I’d go CB, but that’s like asking for a 1st round ILB…not gonna happen… hence the upgrade to OC.

 

[Ram Ts]

I’d go CB, but that’s like asking for a 1st round ILB…not gonna happen… hence the upgrade to OC.

I think the way things ended, the Rams know they need to upgrade that spot. Just like the year before when they added Shelton and Landman - when center and iLB were never on their lists.

Add the fact that we lose a few CBs. There is NO WAY they don’t address CB before the draft. Via free agent or trade. Then add again in the draft.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I agree CB should be the move…either Jaylon from KC or Jamel Dean from Tampa, but the Rams except for Ramsey don’t tend to shoot high in FA for defensive backfield under McSnead.

I'll take the bait on defense in a offensive thread... I believe Snead has said they're more likely to spend high draft capital for a proven commodity at CB (in trade) rather than draft one high as CB can be such a crap shoot.

 

[FrantikRam]

WR, full stop.

T/G depth would be next

 

[DzRams]

I was surprised after looking at the Rams OL deals...

LT: Jackson has 2 years remaining on his deal with a $25M cap hit. Rams have an out after this season.

LG: Avila is a 2026 free agent.

C: Shelton is a 2026 free agent. He has an out the Rams can execute with a $4.5M hit. $9.5M hit this season.

RG: Dotson is a 2026 free agent. Thought his deal was longer wow.

RT: McClendon is a 2026 free agent.

The above makes me feel like the Rams may draft OT at some point. Not necessarily high. But a dev OT may be likely.

If they want to go another direction in regard to where the money is on their OL, this offseason and the next are the window to do so.

Yep, this is why I'm projecting they will give a good amount of attention to IOL this draft. All 3 interior players will be free agents and it's highly unlikely they resign all of them.

And as you say, they'll likely draft a swing OT.

 

[DzRams]

I'll take the bait on defense in a offensive thread... I believe Snead has said they're more likely to spend high draft capital for a proven commodity at CB (in trade) rather than draft one high as CB can be such a crap shoot.

Yep. And beyond Snead's words, we can see that trading for a vet is a pattern with them. There was a rumor the other day that the Rams may trade one of their high picks for a vet CB. I believe it.

Wonder who it could be? I'm only aware of Trent McDuffie as a possibility.

 

[DzRams]

McClendon being good but not great at RT

Not so sure about the good not great thing. FWIW, McClendon was #12 among all OTs in pass block win rate and #2 in run block win rate this past season.

Also, per PFF, the Rams by far had the league's best run blocking.

OT is a round 3ish or later need...IMO.

 

[PhillyRam]

Probably Jeremiah Love. Can't expect Stafford to be all world again next year so a homerun hitting back could pick up some slack if that does occur. Of course, that won't happen. Love will likley be gone by pick 6.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Not so sure about the good not great thing. FWIW, McClendon was #12 among all OTs in pass block win rate and #2 in run block win rate this past season.

Also, per PFF, the Rams by far had the league's best run blocking.

OT is a round 3ish or later need...IMO.

I guess that didn't quite fit with what I saw (pass blocking yes, run blocking not quite) but maybe.

If he's that good, I would imagine Rams try to extend him this offseason?

Mind you, OT high is not my 1st, 2nd or 3rd option but I find that it's still an option if the right prospect is available compared to what else is avail.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Quick comment on Warren McClendon.

I thought he was terrific starting for the injured Havenstein over the final 7 games of the Regular Season, and the 3 Playoff games. McClendon and Parkinson were the most pleasant surprises of the entire season for me.

I hope they both get off-season extensions ... Parkinson, in large part because an extension should create 2026 cap space ... McClendon because, should he have a comparable season in 2026, he might well be beyond the Rams' price range.

Personally, I really like the Rams' O-Line right now.
What I really do not like is that four of the five starters can be free agents after the season.

 

[OldSchool]

I was surprised after looking at the Rams OL deals...

LT: Jackson has 2 years remaining on his deal with a $25M cap hit. Rams have an out after this season.

LG: Avila is a 2026 free agent.

C: Shelton is a 2026 free agent. He has an out the Rams can execute with a $4.5M hit. $9.5M hit this season.

RG: Dotson is a 2026 free agent. Thought his deal was longer wow.

RT: McClendon is a 2026 free agent.

The above makes me feel like the Rams may draft OT at some point. Not necessarily high. But a dev OT may be likely.

If they want to go another direction in regard to where the money is on their OL, this offseason and the next are the window to do so.

Rams have like 8 guys signed for the 2028 season right now I get that's a ways away but still tells you how few long term deals we have signed lately.

 

[PhillyRam]

Quick comment on Warren McClendon.

I thought he was terrific starting for the injured Havenstein over the final 7 games of the Regular Season, and the 3 Playoff games. McClendon and Parkinson were the most pleasant surprises of the entire season for me.

I hope they both get off-season extensions ... Parkinson, in large part because an extension should create 2026 cap space ... McClendon because, should he have comparable season in 2026, he might well be beyond the Rams' price range.

Personally, I really like the Rams' O-Line right now.
What I really do not like is that four of the five starters can be free agents after the season.

I know there is a thought that getting a rookie OT, who can be groomed to be the RT in 27', saves having to spend money on McClendon's extension. However, if they are sold on McClendon now, and can extend him now, they would get him cheaper and below market value if he plays very well in 26'. It's a gamble, but isn't most things in life a gamble?

 

[OldSchool]

Quick comment on Warren McClendon.

I thought he was terrific starting for the injured Havenstein over the final 7 games of the Regular Season, and the 3 Playoff games. McClendon and Parkinson were the most pleasant surprises of the entire season for me.

I hope they both get off-season extensions ... Parkinson, in large part because an extension should create 2026 cap space ... McClendon because, should he have a comparable season in 2026, he might well be beyond the Rams' price range.

Personally, I really like the Rams' O-Line right now.
What I really do not like is that four of the five starters can be free agents after the season.

Terrific is a bit of a stretch to me, and not saying he wasn't good, but terrific is the top tier guys.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Terrific is a bit of a stretch to me, and not saying he wasn't good, but terrific is the top tier guys.

OK ... OK ... how about "Terrific" for what I expected when Havenstein went on IR?

I thought McClendon was OK in 5 starts in 2024; and he far exceeded my expectations this year.

Before you agree or disagree with me, consider that I think of you as ... one TERRIFIC poster!

 

[Merlin]

Rams have like 8 guys signed for the 2028 season right now I get that's a ways away but still tells you how few long term deals we have signed lately.

It's crazy with that OL. I thought Dotson had another year. Four of them being FAs this next offseason is nuts.

Rams could circumvent one of them (Center) by upgrading this offseason in FA and there's an out with Shelton. Rams seem kind of shitty at finding Centers so maybe this is what they're planning.

The other three let them play their contract seasons I suppose then sign whoever is the best. Other two spots play kids.