Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › Rams 2024 Free Agency and Draft
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January 16, 2024 at 7:52 pm #148820JackPMillerParticipant
Need to resign Kevin Dotson, and hopefully sign either AJ Espensa or Shaq Lawson. Buffalo can’t sign them both.
We can sign
UFAs
– AJ Espenesa or Shaq Lawson for 3 years $21 M, $15 M Guarantee
– Dotson, probably gets 4 year $52 M , $30 M Guarantee
– DRob, gets a 1 year $3 M.
– Witherspoon probably gets a 1 year, $2 M deal,
– Wentz will gets a 1 year, $1.5 M.RFAs
– Brycen Hopkins gets 1 year $1 M deal
– Alaric Jackson gets a 2 year $1.8 M deal
– Michael Hoecht gets a 2 year $1.8 M dealMy Draft through a draft simulator I traded back a bit, to pick up a 2nd round pick, and traded
January 16, 2024 at 8:42 pm #148821znModeratorRams don’t have a big bank. They have some cap room for a change but it’s not “buy 2 or 3 expensive FAs plus sign their own FAs” kind of money. Or at least that’s how it looks right now. They have some space but they have to be selective about how they use it.
January 17, 2024 at 9:52 am #148823nittany ramModeratorI would prioritize signing Dotson.
I’d sign DRob, and Jackson.
I’d love to have Wentz back but that’s probably not possible.
January 17, 2024 at 11:19 am #148824Billy_TParticipantShould Rams restructure contracts of Stafford, Donald, or Kupp to save cap?
Rams have contract decisions to consider with Aaron Donald, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp
By Kenneth ArthurThe Los Angeles Rams faced difficult contractual decisions in 2023 and not only did they manage to survive the fallout, Sean McVay coached them into the playoffs and a top-5 offense in the second half of the season. Now that the season is over, the Rams have more financial decisions to make and specifically with their big-3 stars:
Should the L.A. Rams restructure Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, and/or Cooper Kupp to save money now but pay these over-30 NFL stars more money later?
2024 salary capOvertheCap.com projects $41.3 million in cap space and $25.8 million in “effective” cap space for 2024. That ranks 12th in the NFL.
But with free agents like Kevin Dotson, Ahkello Witherspoon, Carson Wentz, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Fuller, and John Johnson, the number could evaporate quickly, not to mention L.A.’s probable desire to add more marquee talent.
Les Snead must be itching to do that after he was hamstrung from making moves last year. If the Rams want to create between $10-$50 million in additional space there’s opportunities to do that…but not without impacting 2025 and beyond.
Matthew Stafford
Stafford has a $31 million base salary next season, but the Rams could turn that into a signing bonus and save up to $19.8 million in 2024 cap space by restructuring. Though Stafford reportedly rejected the Rams advances to change his contract last year, they do not have to get his permission to restructure his deal. They can do that any time they want to do that.
What it would do, however, is change Stafford’s 2025 cap hit from $50 million to $60 million. He will be 37 in 2025.
Aaron Donald
Donald has a $34.1 million cap hit next season, when he will be 33.
The Rams can convert his $10 million salary into a signing bonus and save up to $13.6 million against the cap, at least according to OvertheCap. However, Donald is entering the last year of his contract and only has void years left beyond 2024. That means he will be a free agent in 2025 and the Rams can’t give him the franchise tag. It’s hard to imagine that Donald will play anywhere else and we’re not sure yet what his plans for the future even are.
Donald says he didn’t contemplate retirement after last season, but where is his head for next season and beyond?
Cooper Kupp
Kupp has a $29.8 million cap hit in 2024, but the team can save up to $12.5 million with a restructure. However, did Kupp play well enough this past season—or was he healthy enough—for the team to risk tying themselves to the 31-year-old receiver for additional years? A restructure now would increase his 2025 cap hit to $36 million.
The Rams will not cut Kupp this year because it is financially impossible due to the restructure last year. It’s possible he says his body isn’t in it for another round of football, who knows? Trading him isn’t feasible because of his age and the wear and tear and his $20 million guaranteed salary.
But a restructure seems unwise and unlikely.
What will the Rams do?
The most likely move, if the Rams need one, is to restructure Matthew Stafford for up to $20 million in cap savings. Though his $60 million cap hit in 2025 would be extraordinary, it’s not even quite the highest in the NFL anymore and a quarterback is the one position where it’s worth it.
The team might also look into extending Aaron Donald in order to bring down his cap hit.
As for Kupp, they might need to just sit on his deal this year and see what happens with him as the offseason progresses. Is his body in it or is he feeling like he’s given the NFL everything he can give?
The team has other cap savings opportunities, like with Joe Noteboom and Brian Allen, but these are the three contracts that matter the most. I wouldn’t expect all three to be exactly the same and intact when we get to training camp.
January 17, 2024 at 11:35 am #148825Billy_TParticipantHere’s a recent mock of mine. I traded down a ton, taking what was offered via the software on the site. All pure fantasy, of course, cuz NFL teams won’t give up so much to move up a few spots, and no team trades this much. But it covers all the bases for the Rams and then some.
My amateur GM board will change a lot after the Combine, interviews, Pro Days, and medical evals, etc. So this is a way-too-early mock, etc.
36
Kingsley Suamataia
OT | BYU LogoBYUTRADE72
Calen Bullock
S | USC LogoUSCTRADE84
Josh Newton
CB | TCU LogoTCU95
Sedrick Van Pran
IOL | Georgia LogoGeorgiaTRADE99
Tyler Davis
DL | Clemson LogoClemsonTRADE113
Max Melton
CB | Rutgers LogoRutgersTRADE114
Braelon Allen
RB | Wisconsin LogoWisconsinTRADE116
J.Michael Sturdivant
WR | UCLA LogoUCLATRADE125
Junior Colson
LB | Michigan LogoMichiganTRADE151
Jalen McMillan
WR | Washington LogoWashingtonTRADE153
Kitan Oladapo
S | Oregon State LogoOregon State154
Bryson Nesbit
TE | North Carolina LogoNorth Carolina190
Cedric Johnson
EDGE | Mississippi LogoMississippi210
Gabe Hall
DL | Baylor LogoBaylorTRADE211
Sione Vaki
S | Utah LogoUtah213
Drake Nugent
IOL | Michigan LogoMichigan216
M.J. Devonshire
CB | Pittsburgh LogoPittsburgh217
Will Reichard
K | Alabama LogoAlabamaJanuary 17, 2024 at 11:48 am #148826Billy_TParticipantToo early to get solid reporting on player intangibles, so the tie-breakers for me tend to be age, size, (estimated and recorded) athleticism, and being on Bruce Feldman’s “freaks” list. If players are rated roughly in the same block, I’m gonna take the youngest, biggest, freakiest athletes available.
(I’m also swayed by the potential of “value.” Finding a player late who was rated much higher, for instance.)
A good thing about Feldman’s list is he usually includes GPS data, plus stuff you really can’t “train” for at the last second, like strength metrics. It takes time and tenacity to build up to that. And we learned how important GPS is with Kupp a few years ago, and especially now with Nacua. He topped 21mph in NFL games, and that kind of playing speed is exceptional. Going by just his Combine 40 time is one of the reasons so many teams passed on him. Injuries, too.
Speaking of age: Nacua is listed as 23 on the official Rams site, but 22 elsewhere. Wiki has him with a 2001 DOB and 22. A few other sites do as well. Weird that they can’t get a consensus age for players.
January 17, 2024 at 12:05 pm #148828znModeratorSpeaking of age: Nacua is listed as 23 on the official Rams site, but 22 elsewhere. Wiki has him with a 2001 DOB and 22. A few other sites do as well. Weird that they can’t get a consensus age for players.
I knew it.
The truth is, Nacua is more than one person.
It makes sense.
Maybe twins born a year apart? That kind of thing.
January 17, 2024 at 3:58 pm #148840wvParticipantWell, i say they should just keep drafting record-breaking rookies-of-the-year.
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January 19, 2024 at 1:41 pm #148865znModeratorThe FA Rankings tool is up and running for the 2024 offseason, with updates to 1-100 and 50 new names on the board!
Contract projections for 1-150:https://t.co/9LbAt2cOKG pic.twitter.com/2yqL21nRvS
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) January 19, 2024
January 19, 2024 at 3:42 pm #148871InvaderRamModeratorSpeaking of age: Nacua is listed as 23 on the official Rams site, but 22 elsewhere. Wiki has him with a 2001 DOB and 22. A few other sites do as well. Weird that they can’t get a consensus age for players.
he’s listed as 22 on the official website.
it might not be the worst idea to trade down. just add volume and see what sticks.
i would like to see them make one major fa signing outside bringing their own players back – preferably a pass rusher.
January 19, 2024 at 7:05 pm #148872Billy_TParticipantSpeaking of age: Nacua is listed as 23 on the official Rams site, but 22 elsewhere. Wiki has him with a 2001 DOB and 22. A few other sites do as well. Weird that they can’t get a consensus age for players.
he’s listed as 22 on the official website. it might not be the worst idea to trade down. just add volume and see what sticks. i would like to see them make one major fa signing outside bringing their own players back – preferably a pass rusher.
I may be mistaken in considering this site “official,” but it’s the one that lists him as 23. No big deal, one way or another. But in my nerdy way, 22 seems better than 23, when it comes to finite peak years/contracts, etc.
https://www.therams.com/team/players-roster/puka-nacua/
Have been playing around more with the Mock simulator. It was giving me too many ridiculously good trade offers, so I stopped using them. Did manual trades instead, and stuck to the old value chart. No way to really get all the spots upgraded that need ’em. So it’s gotta be triage. I’m probably on the same page as most fans in putting corner, edge, tackle at the top, but the Rams need another receiver and running back, too, plug a big, athletic guard to play opposite Avila, if they can’t re-sign Dotson.
If I had the picks, I’d double up on corner, edge, safety, and guard, and make sure I found a legit starting LT. Also want a hogmolly at DT. This draft is deep in freakishly athletic D-linemen, wideouts, and corners, especially. So far, looks weak on tight ends, which the Rams need too.
January 19, 2024 at 7:08 pm #148878znModeratorHey BT, I was lost in work and didn’t see the spam filter issues till just now. Which of your 3 replies do you want to keep? Looks like maybe the longest one?
January 19, 2024 at 7:21 pm #148879Billy_TParticipantNo worries, ZN.
The longest post works. Thanks.
January 19, 2024 at 8:33 pm #148884znModeratorDone.
January 19, 2024 at 9:17 pm #148887InvaderRamModeratorI may be mistaken in considering this site “official,” but it’s the one that lists him as 23.
that’s weird cuz when i click on the roster it lists his age at 22.
January 19, 2024 at 10:07 pm #148892Billy_TParticipantInvader,
It is weird. Now click on his name, over there on the left, next to his pic.
It will say 23.
Quite the mystery. Where is The Thin Man when you need him?
January 20, 2024 at 10:41 am #148897JackPMillerParticipantThere is a chance, if Raheem Morris gets an HC job, we will get a 3rd round comp this year, and a 3rd round comp next year. I want us to sign, Aubrey Pleasant, our DB coach, as the new DC, fast.
Here’s my wishlist. Some of these players I have written down, could be late round to UDFA’s, mixed in with earlier round talent.. The talent is there,
Wide receiver:
J. Michael Sturdivant UCLA
Kaden Prather Maryland
Ty James MercerTE:
Jaheim Bell Florida State
Erick Alt IowaEDGE/DE:
Zion Tupuola-Fetui Washington
Jonah Ellis Utah
Sundiata Anderson Grambling
Thor Griffin(DE) HarvardILB:
Jeremiah Trotter Clemson
Jaylon Ford Texas
Omar Speights LSU
Armon Bailey Sacramento State
Devon Jones Kutztown UniversityDT:
Maason Smith LSU
Kris Jenkins, Michigan
T’Vondre Stewart TexasCB:
Kool-Aid McKinstry Alabama
Terrion Arnold Alabama
Sheridan Jones Clemson
Willie Drew Virginia State
Devin Haskins Holy CrossS:
Cole Bishop Utah
Josh Poctor Ohio State
Malchi Moore Alabama
Javon Morgan Florida A&M
Khalil Baker NC CentralRB:
Isiah Davis South DakaotaIOL:
Sedrick Van Pran, (C) Georgia
Zach Frazier(C) West Virginia
Seth Osborne(C) St. Francis(PA)
Mason McCormick (G) South Dakota StateOT:
Jordan Morgan Arizona
Jalen Travis Princeton
Kiran Amegadjie YaleJanuary 20, 2024 at 10:47 am #148898JackPMillerParticipantList of our players not under contract for 2024:
Coleman Shelton C – Predicting Philly signs him, due to Kelce retiring.
Kevin Dotson RG – Need to sign 4 years $28 million, $20 million guaranteed
Carson Wentz QB – Need to sign, but no more than 1 year, $1.5 million
Carson Tinker LS – Need to sign, but not more than 1, year $1.5 million
Demarcus Robinson WR – need to sign, but not more than 1 year, $2 million
Royce Freeman RB – Let him walk
Brett Maher K – Need to sign, but not more than 1 year, $2 million
Ahkello Witherspoon CB – Need to sign, but not more than 1 year, $2 million
John Johnson S – Let him walk
Duke Shelley CB- Let him walk
Troy Reeder LB – Let him walk
Tyler Johnson WR – Let him walk
Brycen Hopkins TE – Need to sign, but not more than 1 year $1.5 million
Larrell Murchison EDGE – Let him walk
Christian Rozeboom LB RFA – Sign for lowest tender for RFA
Michael Hoecht EDGE RFA – Sign for lowest tender for RFA. Move him to DE
Jonah Williams RFA -Sign for lowest tender for RFA
Austin Trammell WR ERFA – Sign for what ERFA’s are worth
Jordan Fuller S – Let him walk
Tremayne Anchrum – Let him walk
Alaric Jackson LT RFA – Sign for lowest tender for RFA
Ronnie Rivers RB ERFA – Sign for what ERFA’s are worth
Earnest Brown IV EDGE RFA – Sign for lowest tender for RFA- This reply was modified 9 months, 4 weeks ago by JackPMiller.
January 20, 2024 at 12:42 pm #148900znModeratorAlaric Jackson LT RFA – Sign for lowest tender for RFA
That’s my one real disagreement. Why hand a cheap experienced LOT starter to another team. Jackson like many players for the 2023 Rams–and the OL in general like many units for the 2023 Rams–benefitted from the obvious “review film, assess and improve starters and units accordingly” routine the Rams went through at the bye. So he picks up his play after the bye. Rams OL was effective and a lot of that as with all OLs has to include having a solid LOT. If you lowball Jackson you’re inviting the rest of the league to think about poaching him, and therefore getting a solid experienced veteran starting LOT at a very cheap price.
January 20, 2024 at 1:58 pm #148901InvaderRamModeratorIf you lowball Jackson you’re inviting the rest of the league to think about poaching him, and therefore getting a solid experienced veteran starting LOT at a very cheap price.
i agree. i was at one point wanting to draft a left tackle to replace jackson but at this point i’d rather they opt for continuity. bring back jackson. bring back dotson. they may have to draft a center. but i’d try to bring back as many starters as i could on the oline.
January 20, 2024 at 5:55 pm #148905JackPMillerParticipantIf you lowball Jackson you’re inviting the rest of the league to think about poaching him, and therefore getting a solid experienced veteran starting LOT at a very cheap price.
i agree. i was at one point wanting to draft a left tackle to replace jackson but at this point i’d rather they opt for continuity. bring back jackson. bring back dotson. they may have to draft a center. but i’d try to bring back as many starters as i could on the oline.
Teams know, Alaric Jackson can’t stay healthy.
January 20, 2024 at 6:16 pm #148909znModeratorTeams know, Alaric Jackson can’t stay healthy.
Yeah like Roger Saffold. 😎
January 20, 2024 at 8:23 pm #148911InvaderRamModeratorTeams know, Alaric Jackson can’t stay healthy.
i’m not sure about that. 2021 was his rookie season. sophomore season he suffered injuries yes. for blood clots. not sure if that’s a chronic condition. he didn’t miss many games in college. he played most of this season. i don’t think durability is a huge issue.
January 21, 2024 at 11:37 am #148925JackPMillerParticipantTeams know, Alaric Jackson can’t stay healthy.
Yeah like Roger Saffold. 😎
Losing Alaric Jackson would be know big deal, if another team signs him. That’s how I see it.
January 21, 2024 at 11:52 am #148926znModeratorTeams know, Alaric Jackson can’t stay healthy.
Yeah like Roger Saffold.
Losing Alaric Jackson would be know big deal, if another team signs him. That’s how I see it.
We just differ on that. IMO, it would be a big deal. If they lost AJ they would need a left OT. Jackson was solid down the stretch and like much of the team picked up after the bye. So you have Jackson who is solid and capable of improving with a great OL coach, or a rookie, or they spend big money on a free agent at a position they already have covered when they can use that same money on a position they don’t have covered. I can see adding a rookie for depth and to replace Noteboom, but not just throwing a veteran starting LOT away.
Jackson was solid down the stretch. And he was battle tested against guys like Myles Garrett. Rams were a top 10 offense in the final games and IMO you don’t have a top 10 offense with an expendable LOT.
January 21, 2024 at 6:05 pm #148933znModeratorGary Klein@LATimesklein“It gives you a healthy way to evolve as a team and continue to add pieces,” Snead told reporters when asked about the team’s cap space. “I don’t think we’re sitting here today going, ‘OK, let’s spend all $40 million within the first hour.’”January 21, 2024 at 7:43 pm #148942JackPMillerParticipantMy wish draft. Does not mean this will happen, but it is based on where players are expected to be, in the rounds. I’m expecting that Raheem Morris gets a Head Coaching gig. Which means, we get a 3rd round comp pick in 2024, and a 3rd round comp pick in 20205. I want the Rams to sign Aubrey Pleasant, our DB coach, to be our new DC.
1(19). Kool Aid McKinstry CB Alabama
2(52). Sedrick Van Pran C Georgia
3(83). Jonah Ellis Edge Utah
3(comp). Malachi Moore S Alabama
5(152). Erik Alt TE Iowa
5(153). Kaden Prather WR Maryland
6(190). Omar Speights ILB LSU
6(211). Sheridan Jones CB Clemson
6(213). Fabian Lovelett DT Florida State
6(216). Isiah Davis RB South Dakota State
6(217). Anim Dankwah OT Howard- This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by JackPMiller.
January 22, 2024 at 8:49 am #148963Billy_TParticipantI cut way back on the trades, and cuz Verse was on the board, stopped at just one:
Los Angeles Receives:
2024: Round 1, Pick 25
2024: Round 3, Pick 88
2024: Round 6, Pick 203Green Bay Receives:
2024: Round 1, Pick 19
My Selections
25
Jared Verse
EDGE | Florida State LogoFlorida StateTRADE52
Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
CB | Missouri LogoMissouri83
Brenden Rice
WR | USC LogoUSC88
Braelon Allen
RB | Wisconsin LogoWisconsinTRADE152
Sione Vaki
S | Utah LogoUtah153
Darius Robinson
DL | Missouri LogoMissouri190
Beaux Limmer
IOL | Arkansas LogoArkansas203
Omar Speights
LB | LSU LogoLSUTRADE211
Trey Knox
TE | South Carolina LogoSouth Carolina213
M.J. Devonshire
CB | Pittsburgh LogoPittsburgh216
Malik Mustapha
S | Wake Forest LogoWake Forest217
Jordan Travis
QB | Florida State LogoFlorida State_
I think the Rams need a tackle, but the draft fell in a different way for me. I prioritized two freakishly athletic skill players, Brenden Rice and Braelon Allen, instead. Rice has the potential to be a true #1 receiver, with crazy speed and good size. He’s the perfect 1b to Puka’s 1a. Allen is Derrick Harvey-size, but faster, and just 21 for his rookie year.
It’s more fun to have a host of draft picks, cuz I wanted to fill all the Rams needs plus backups. But that’s not going to happen. So a more realistic way to go is to maximize at least the first three or four picks, and hope for some hidden gems later.
*Hoping the Baker Mayfield comp turns into a 5th, and Morris is hired as HC. That gives the Rams two more shots.
January 22, 2024 at 9:11 am #148964Billy_TParticipantThe above changes, of course, if the Rams make miracles happen and sign Brian Burns. He gives them a top-flight edge, age 26 for the next season, so they can focus elsewhere. IMO, he should be their top priority. Also, I’m hoping they target young, ascending free agents, instead of older, one-year signings. Guys they can sign for at least three years during their peaks. Obviously, corners, safeties, a tight end, tackle, center. If they don’t draft a running back, they need to find help for Williams, via FA, and he needs to keep the offense humming at the same clip. No let down, etc.
The NFL is a harsh world, but I’d cut Noteboom, Allen, Long, and Kendrick, post-June, to free up roughly 25 million.
But that’s tricky stuff, of course — the pre- and post-June cuts — cuz of timing, with FA starting in March. Their savings go way up, especially for Noteboom, but they need the cap space before June. So, they might not be able to wait. Have never been a Cap guy, so just tossing stuff around here.
Anyway, they don’t really have enough room to splurge on more than one or two guys, at least not without those key cuts, and the timing doesn’t work in their favor for the initial wave, which Burns will most certainly be in (if he’s not tagged).
January 22, 2024 at 12:27 pm #148967znModeratorthat’s tricky stuff, of course — the pre- and post-June cuts — cuz of timing, with FA starting in March. Their savings go way up, especially for Noteboom, but they need the cap space before June.
That’s all correct. And for the sake of anyone reading this who doesn’t know, if you designate a player a post-June 1 cut you do get more savings from cutting them. But you still have to carry their money on your books until June 2. That can mean that you miss out on March spending.
Here’s how it works with NB.
1. If they keep him he costs 20 M against the cap and my bet is that they won’t pay 20 M for a 6th OL.
2. If they designate him a post-June 1 cut they save 15 M, but that means they have to carry his 20 M on the books until June 2. As BT says, that could screw up their plans in free agency in March.
3. Or if they cut him before June 1, they save just 5 M. But then there could be circumstances where they might just want that 5 M “now” (ie. in March).
So there’s a lot to pay attention to with NB. We’ll see what they’ll do when it happens.
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