Rams still can find free-agent bargains

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  • March 11, 2016 at 9:54 am #40417
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    With initial surge over, Rams still can find free-agent bargains

    Nick Wagoner

    http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/27564/with-initial-surge-over-rams-can-still-find-free-agent-bargains

    EARTH CITY, Mo. — Before the NFL added the early negotiating window a few years ago in an effort to minimize illegal tampering with free agents, the waves of free agency took much longer to develop.

    Under the new system, most of the top players go off the board in the opening hours of free agency and many actually agree to deals before they are even allowed to put pen to paper.

    We are now two days into the new league year and the majority of the big ticket items have been cleared from the shelves. Here’s a look at Bill Polian’s free-agent tracker and what’s left on the market.

    Among the big names still available are Green Bay cornerback Casey Hayward, New England defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, San Diego safety Eric Weddle, Cincinnati safety Reggie Nelson, Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and Oakland offensive tackle Donald Penn.

    In most cases, the top players still available have some warts, often a combination of price and age. Teams are hesitant to pay big money for players 30 or older and prefer to wait for their prices to drop. Likewise, older players often are more concerned with finding the right fit and a chance to win rather than just getting the top dollar.

    From a Los Angeles Rams perspective, there’s still business to be done. According to the NFLPA, the Rams have about $25 million in cap space left. If you account for about $8 million-$10 million in money that must be set aside for a draft class and injury contingencies, the Rams have roughly $15 million-$17 million in functional cap space.

    That’s enough to get some business done. One area the Rams must continue to investigate is finding a kicker. Greg Zuerlein is a free agent and could be back, but the Rams also would like to bring in competition for him. They also need depth at pretty much every position on the defense and a starter at free safety. And, of course, that doesn’t account for the obvious needs at quarterback, wide receiver and tight end.

    So far, the Rams haven’t expressed serious interest in any top quarterbacks or wide receiver, though that is always subject to change as the market evolves. For now, it’s probably best to expect the Rams to continue to monitor the market to see if they can find players who fit their scheme and could be possible bargains.

    Last year, that’s how they found defensive tackle Nick Fairley and signed him on a one-year prove-it deal.

    We also can’t rule out the possibility that some of that money will go to young players the Rams want to keep — such as defensive tackle Michael Brockers and linebacker Alec Ogletree — so they don’t find themselves scrambling to sign them at this time next year

    March 11, 2016 at 1:26 pm #40436
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    http://www.nfl.com/freeagency#tab=rankings

    RANK 8
    EricFS ERIC WEDDLE

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    Weddle might have taken a step back from his All-Pro level, but he’s still a dynamic centerfielder that can do a little bit of everything for a defense.

    17
    Okung, RussellT
    RUSSELL
    OKUNG

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    SF, DET, NYG, SEA
    He is coming off shoulder surgery and is representing himself as an agent. This could get interesting.

    20
    Amukamara, PrinceCB
    PRINCE
    AMUKAMARA

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    JAX
    There just aren’t enough capable starting cornerbacks in today’s NFL. Amukamara is one of them.

    22
    Nelson, ReggieFS
    REGGIE
    NELSON

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    So many teams are looking for a reliable “center fielder” at safety like Nelson to improve the team’s last line of defense.

    23
    Fitzpatrick, RyanQB
    RYAN
    FITZPATRICK

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He has more value to the Jets with Chan Gailey running the show than he would in any another city.

    25
    Long, ChrisDE
    CHRIS
    LONG

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    WAS
    He only has four sacks over the last two injury-ravaged years, yet Long should still have some quality seasons left. He was a top-20 defensive end as recently as 2013.

    26
    Fairley, NickDT
    NICK
    FAIRLEY

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He stayed out of trouble and quietly was effective as a rotational player in St. Louis. Can he be effective playing more? There is boom or bust potential here.

    30
    Foster, ArianRB
    ARIAN
    FOSTER

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    The downside: He has missed 23 of his last 40 games. The upside: He ran harder than just about any running back in the league in 2014, when he was a top-five player at his position. He’s worth a shot to see if you get one last big year.

    32
    Ayers, RobertDE
    ROBERT
    AYERS

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    TB
    It makes no sense that a former first-round pick that played in New York is so under the radar.

    34
    Smith, AndreT
    ANDRE
    SMITH

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    It’s a red flag he’s coming off such a down year after the Bengals maxed out his skill set for much of his career.

    36
    Beachum, KelvinT
    KELVIN
    BEACHUM

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    NYJ
    He would be ranked in the top 20 if he wasn’t coming off a torn ACL.

    37
    Thurmond, WalterSS
    WALTER
    THURMOND

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    Injury prone for much of his career, Thurmond was part of perhaps the best safety tandem in the league with Malcolm Jenkins in Philadelphia.

    41
    Freeman, JerrellILB
    JERRELL
    FREEMAN

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He’s great in coverage for an inside linebacker, which is worth a premium.

    43
    Penn, DonaldT
    DONALD
    PENN

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    An up and down career is back on the rise after a steady turn protecting Derek Carr.

    44
    Hayward, CaseyCB
    CASEY
    HAYWARD

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He has been a solid starter for the Packers, yet the team looks set to let him walk away. He can play outside and in the slot.

    45
    Smith, AldonOLB
    ALDON
    SMITH

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He is suspended until at least the middle of November and it’s possible he won’t be reinstated (or signed) until 2017. With all that said, Smith is eligible to sign with a new team and represents a rare top-10 pass rusher talent available at a reduced price. Someone will give him a third chance.

    48
    Raji, B.J.NT
    B.J.
    RAJI

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He can still clog up the middle of a defensive line, with the upside that he’ll turn back the clock one of these years.

    51
    Hardy, GregDE
    GREG
    HARDY

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    Based purely on talent and 2015 play, Hardy would be in the top ten of this list. But you have to sign the person that goes with the talent, and most teams will smartly decide Hardy isn’t worth the trouble.

    54
    Boldin, AnquanWR
    ANQUAN
    BOLDIN

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He doesn’t need to be open to make catches. He’s found a way to stay productive throughout his 30s and is a great locker room addition.

    56
    Knighton, TerranceDT
    TERRANCE
    KNIGHTON

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He signed for one year in Washington last year, hoping for a bigger payday this time around. He should get it.

    58
    Johnson, RashadFS
    RASHAD
    JOHNSON

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He got lost in the shuffle in Arizona’s star-studded secondary but Johnson can do a lot of things well at the safety position.

    59
    Morris, AlfredRB
    ALFRED
    MORRIS

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He can’t catch a pass, but Morris is a rugged early down running back that can top 1,200 yards without breaking down.

    61
    Mathis, EvanG
    EVAN
    MATHIS

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    Mathis is an accomplished veteran two years removed from All Pro-caliber play, but he’s nearing his mid-30s, coming off of surgery and limited to zone-blocking schemes.

    62
    Wallace, MikeWR
    MIKE
    WALLACE

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    Wallace has a limited skill set but getting deep in the NFL is still worth something. He’s been overpaid the last few years but makes sense as a role player.

    68
    Evans, JahriG
    JAHRI
    EVANS

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    BUF
    Once the highest-paid guard in the league, Evans can still help a team out as a quality starter.

    70
    Neal, MikeOLB
    MIKE
    NEAL

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He’s a high effort player that can play anywhere from outside linebacker to defensive tackle. A good rotation player.

    71
    Galette, JuniorDE
    JUNIOR
    GALETTE

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    Although highly productive when healthy, Galette is a coach-killer with character concerns and health questions.

    72
    Harvin, PercyWR
    PERCY
    HARVIN

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    It’s easy to forget that Harvin outplayed Sammy Watkins early last season before injuries resurfaced, begetting thoughts of early retirement. With his football future in question, Harvin won’t land a contract commensurate with his talent level.

    74
    Freeney, DwightLB
    DWIGHT
    FREENEY

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    Freeney is purely a situational edge rusher at a stage of his career in which he will only play for a Super Bowl contender. His last two months in Arizona were his most effective in nearly half a decade.

    75
    Tulloch, StephenMLB
    STEPHEN
    TULLOCH

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    A stop-gap option for a team needing leadership and snaps at inside linebacker.

    76
    Upshaw, CourtneyOLB
    COURTNEY
    UPSHAW

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    If he couldn’t make it in Baltimore as anything more than a run-stuffing specialist, he isn’t likely to develop elsewhere.

    77
    Blount, LeGarretteRB
    LEGARRETTE
    BLOUNT

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    There is a fear he’ll turn into a pumpkin away from Bill Belichick.

    78
    Hall, LeonCB
    LEON
    HALL

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    Paying aging cornerbacks is rarely good business, but Hall can still help out as a role player in the right situation.

    80
    Robinson, PatrickCB
    PATRICK
    ROBINSON

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    The former New Orleans Saints cornerback has come on strong the last two years as a feisty cornerback.

    82
    Hicks, AkiemDE
    AKIEM
    HICKS

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    NE
    Acquired in a trade with the Saints, Hicks flashed impressive ability late in the season.

    84
    Wisniewski, StefenC
    STEFEN
    WISNIEWSKI

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    Serviceable starting center, will travel.

    85
    Carroll, NolanCB
    NOLAN
    CARROLL

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He wasn’t exactly a solution for the Eagles’ defense last season, but he wasn’t a problem either. Snaps eater.

    86
    Brown, ZachILB
    ZACH
    BROWN

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He has insane pursuit skills but was never fully trusted in Tennessee.

    87
    Powers, JerraudCB
    JERRAUD
    POWERS

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    He’s played a lot of snaps for some very good teams over the last five years.

    90
    Laurinaitis, JamesMLB
    JAMES
    LAURINAITIS

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    ATL
    Known as a good leader, Laurinaitis just didn’t make enough plays the last few years in St. Louis. He’s a stop-gap pickup. Laurinaitis told Albert Breer he will be visiting the Falcons Monday and Tuesday.

    93
    Randle, RuebenWR
    RUEBEN
    RANDLE

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    Drawing single coverage opposite Odell Beckham, Randle had one of the cushiest gigs in the league last season. Rather than establishing himself as the long-term Robin to Beckham’s Batman, he remained frustratingly inconsistent.

    94
    Miller, ZachTE
    ZACH
    MILLER

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    A quarterback at Nebraska-Omaha, Miller has always been among the league’s most athletic receiving tight ends. He just couldn’t the injury bug since entering the league with the Jaguars all the way back in 2009. That changed in the second half of last season, when he emerged as a reliable playmaker for Jay Cutler.

    95
    Jenkins, JarvisDE
    JARVIS
    JENKINS

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    Jenkins flashed as one of Chicago’s best defensive players early last season before his effectiveness waned in the second half.

    98
    Bruton, DavidSS
    DAVID
    BRUTON

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    Bruton had been a premier special teamer before last season, when he made a series of big plays in the Broncos’ secondary.

    99
    Griffin, RobertQB
    ROBERT
    GRIFFIN

    INTERESTED TEAMS:
    There was a time not so long ago when Robert Griffin III was considered the brightest young star in football.

    March 11, 2016 at 4:39 pm #40453
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    from off the net

    —

    [colr=red]#1RamsJunkie[/color]

    1. Ryan Fitzpatrick — Only starting-caliber QB left. Still seems likely to stay in NYJ.
    2. Russell Okung — Quality LT starter when healthy. 13 missed games last 3 years.
    3. Prince Amukamara — Giants moved on by signing Janoris Jenkins. Linked to NYJ.
    4. Sean Smith — Plus-sized press CB. Update: Signed with OAK on Thurs. morning.
    5. Reggie Nelson — Coming off 8-interception season. Entering age-33 campaign.
    6. Eric Weddle — Turned 31 in January. Market has been surprisingly quiet so far.
    7. Donald Penn — Will turn 33 in April. Still a high-end pass-protecting left tackle.
    8. Robert Ayers — Can play DE & DT. 9.5 sacks in 2015. Visited Bucs on Wednesday.
    9. Jerrell Freeman — Turns 30 in May. PFF’s No. 2-graded inside linebacker in ’15.
    10. Greg Hardy — 22 sacks in last 27 games. Market silent due to character issues.
    11. Kelvin Beachum — Undersized LT (6’3/303) coming off ACL tear. Turns 27 in June.
    12. Nick Fairley — Turned 28 in Jan. Rotational DT only, but can dominate in spurts.
    13. Casey Hayward — Ascending 26-year-old slot corner. Not expected back in GB.
    14. Chris Long — Injuries have limited Long to three sacks over his last 16 games.
    15. Cedric Thornton — Run-stuffing 3-4 end. Does not help in passing situations.
    16. Patrick Robinson — Had career-best year with Bolts. Can cover slot & outside.
    17. Louis Vasquez — 29. Cut by Broncos. Should interest power-blocking teams.
    18. Akiem Hicks — Mammoth 6’5/318 DE/DT. Expected to visit Chicago this week.
    19. Rashad Johnson — Had 5 INTs in 2015. Cards replaced him with Tyvon Branch.
    20. Walter Thurmond — Ex-slot CB had breakout year at safety. Turns 29 in August.
    21. Anquan Boldin — Going on age 36. Can still contribute as possession receiver.
    22. Mohamed Sanu — Overrated gadget WR with poor hands. Linked to ATL & NE.
    23. Arian Foster — Will turn 30 in August. Tore his Achilles’ tendon last October.
    24. Brandon Boykin — Underappreciated 25-year-old slot CB. Market quiet so far.
    25. Zach Miller — Going on age 32. Posted a 34-439-5 receiving line last season.
    26. Terrance Knighton — 3-4 NT. Pot Roast disappointed last year with Redskins.
    27. Geoff Schwartz — In 2nd tier of free agent OGs. Good player, bad injury luck.
    28. Mike Wallace — Turns 30 in August. Ravens reportedly have some interest.
    29. Jahri Evans — Cut by Saints. 6-time Pro Bowler running on fumes. 33 in August.
    30. Leon Hall — Has extended career by successfully transitioning to slot corner.
    31. Courtney Upshaw — 26-year-old 2-down edge-setter OLB. Not a pass rusher.
    32. Evan Mathis — PFF’s No. 1 run-blocking G in ’15, but poor in pass pro & 34yo.
    33. Stefen Wisniewski — Replacement-level C gets pushed around in run game.
    34. Brent Grimes — Cut by Miami due to off-field concerns, declining on-field play.
    35. James Laurinaitis — Big name, small game. Falcons, Saints have nosed around.
    36. Rueben Randle — Big and athletic, but has a lazy streak. Underachieving WR.
    37. Zach Brown — Injury-riddled 4-3 weak-side LB with sideline-to-sideline speed.
    38. Robert Griffin III — Broncos rumored to have interest. Would fit in Kubiak’s O.
    39. Tahir Whitehead — Fierce run defender/special teamer. Can play all 3 LB spots.
    40. Nick Perry — Former first-round bust had solid ’15 season as rotational 3-4 OLB.
    41. Will Beatty — Missed all of 2015 to injury. Was above-average starting LT in ’14.
    42. Bilal Powell — Versatile RBBC back has been connected to DAL, NE, BAL, NYJ.
    43. B.J. Raji — Consistent tendency to start fast, wear down as seasons progress.
    44. Jason Jones — Base-defense LE can also play inside. 9.5 sacks last 2 seasons.
    45. Mike Neal — Swiss-army-knife role player. Better run stopper than pass rusher.
    46. Jason Hatcher — Can still disrupt QBs, but reportedly considering retirement.
    47. Jermaine Kearse — Career highs in catches/yards/TDs in ’15. Only had 4 drops.
    48. Sean Weatherspoon — 28-year-old WLB disappeared after 2014 torn Achilles’.
    49. James Starks — One of the league’s better No. 2 RBs. Shouldn’t cost much $.
    50. Aldon Smith — Eligible for reinstatement from suspension in November 2016.

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