Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › Rams signings as free agency starts
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March 11, 2024 at 2:52 pm #149739znModeratorChris Simms@CSimmsQBRams signing Jonah Jackson is further evidence of the transformation of Sean McVay. They’ve gone from smaller athletic OL to now harvesting big maulers to run it right at you and to protect Matthew Stafford.March 11, 2024 at 2:53 pm #149740znModerator
G Jonah Jackson to the #Rams.
I had Jackson ranked at No.11 on my Top 100 free agents. pic.twitter.com/ztu7JH5J2D
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 11, 2024
March 11, 2024 at 2:55 pm #149741znModeratorRams Brothers@RamsBrothersRams’ interior offensive line will be up there with the best in football. Then you bring in a 6’7, 252lb TE who prioritizes run blocking and will have hair flowing out of his helmet… Phew.March 11, 2024 at 2:59 pm #149742znModeratorThe #Rams have agreed to terms with G Jonah Jackson on a three-year, $51 million deal with $34 million guaranteed, sources say.
A big payday for Jackson, who will join the recently re-signed Kevin Dotson as L.A. pours big money into the middle of their offensive line. pic.twitter.com/iADLjj7a2Y
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2024
March 11, 2024 at 3:04 pm #149743znModeratorThis would have strong implications of Steve Avila moving to center, where he played at a high level for a time at TCU. https://t.co/D74HvMCVRD
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 11, 2024
March 11, 2024 at 3:04 pm #149744znModeratorThe #Rams are signing TE Colby Parkinson to a three-year, $22.5 million deal that includes $15.5M guaranteed, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
If he hits certain performance numbers, Parkinson can void the deal after two years. The deal was negotiated by agent @SteveCaric of… pic.twitter.com/tXIQG8AjGy
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2024
March 11, 2024 at 3:05 pm #149745znModeratorSeahawks free-agent TE Colby Parkinson intends to sign a three-year, $22.5 million deal including $15.5 million guaranteed with the Los Angeles Rams, per sources. Before playing at Stanford, Parkinson attended Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California, which is right… pic.twitter.com/Z7h0Hbw0CC
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
March 11, 2024 at 3:09 pm #149746znModeratorFree Agency Frosty@FrostyTalksFB
Colby Parkinson to LA. Parkinson, 25, 6-7, 251lbs is a TE who was drafted in the 4th Rd (133rd) in the 2020 draft. Mostly lining up inline or in the slot, he is known as an elite run-blocker (ranked 8/83 in PFF). In 2023, he had 25 rec for 247 yards and 2 TDs. Great signing.March 11, 2024 at 3:12 pm #149747znModeratorBrandon Thorn@BrandonThornNFLThe Rams beefing up their interior OL with this quality of player + cost brings up a fun discussion about the ideal ways to construct an O-line (outside-in or inside-out). KC’s OL now, NO’s OL with Brees are examples of the latter working out very well. This looks like an attempt to replicate that framework. I personally love this path, especially with this personnel/scheme marriage..Also, Havenstein is no slouch and is the leader of the OL. Very smart, dialed in and crafty player. No idea if this will happen, but inserting a LT from this draft class into this lineup/room would be an outstanding landing spot.March 11, 2024 at 3:15 pm #149748znModeratorAgreed to 3-year, $22.5M deal with TE Colby Parkinson
With Tyler Higbee still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL, the Rams are adding Parkinson, a 25-year-old tight end who played the last four years in Seattle. He’s a big target who also holds up well as a blocker, fitting the mold of what Los Angeles was looking for in a tight end.
Agreed to 3-year, $51M deal with LG Jonah Jackson
Within hours of the legal tampering period opening on Monday, the Rams agreed to a three-year deal with Jackson, one of the top guards on the market. He’ll likely take over as the starting left guard, which will move Steve Avila inside to center.
March 11, 2024 at 3:31 pm #149749InvaderRamModeratorcolby parkinson. at first glance he looks like the makings of another kevin dotson type acquisition. under the radar. lots of potential. hopefully realizes it with the rams.
already a highly rated blocker but tons of potential as a pass catcher. i like it. still very young.
March 11, 2024 at 3:36 pm #149750znModeratorGregg Rosenthal@greggrosenthalguards are getting paid in part because they are one of the only positions where a bunch of above average starters hit free agencyMarch 11, 2024 at 3:39 pm #149751znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigueThis is *in the story* but at a certain point watching this Shelton and C market, Rams knew they could go a different direction with Avila’s ability to move inside + didn’t want to miss out on a guy who was available who they liked. They waited in FA before and it went poorly..Jackson (6-4, 311) also has played a little center, and the Rams could try that out — but as of now, team sources have strongly indicated Avila will move.March 11, 2024 at 4:10 pm #149752InvaderRamModeratori love it. not just jackson but the idea of moving avila to center. he played it in college. supposedly did very well there. and not only that but you upgrade potentially two positions. the one reservation i had about drafting a center is that my understanding is that centers usually take awhile to develop but with avila you have a guy with at least a year of experience under his belt and he knows the system.
March 11, 2024 at 5:04 pm #149753RamsMaineiacKeymasterI have immediate questions about both the impact on Avila, who earned a starting role last year (I hear he may move to C), and the likelihood of Coleman Shelton’s return.
March 11, 2024 at 5:11 pm #149754canadaramParticipantI’m not surprised that the Rams are picking up TE in FA, but I am surprised that they jumped on one so early in the process.
I liked Avila at guard, hopefully the move to centre is a smooth one. I know he played well at that position in college, but this move still worries me a little.
I can’t help but think that they’re going to find another RB to pair with Williams. Just curious to see if it happens in free agency or in the draft. I wonder how they feel about Zach Evans?
March 11, 2024 at 6:06 pm #149755InvaderRamModeratorhave the rams tendered alaric jackson?
last i heard they were still deciding.
March 11, 2024 at 6:47 pm #149756wvParticipantFwiw, I Love both signings.
Run the F’ing ball.
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March 11, 2024 at 6:50 pm #149757znModeratorhave the rams tendered alaric jackson? last i heard they were still deciding.
The question is not will they, it’s what level of tender. Rodrigue has been saying they will. The only question is, for how much and kind of pick if any will be the compensation if he’s signed elsewhere?
March 11, 2024 at 7:03 pm #149758wvParticipantI never hear a word about Wentz. He would be as good a backup as there is in the NFC. Why is it a foregone conclusion he is leaving?
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March 11, 2024 at 7:44 pm #149759nittany ramModeratorMan, that interior of the Rams oline is going to bully people. Hill, Smith, Harrah part deux.
March 11, 2024 at 8:41 pm #149760znModeratorI never hear a word about Wentz. He would be as good a backup as there is in the NFC. Why is it a foregone conclusion he is leaving? w v
I would imagine he’s trying the market to see what he can get as a starter. Just specularating, but if I may opinionatize, the Rams best bet to get him back is for him to decide that the Rams give him the chance to show the league he’s a good bet to start somewhere.
March 11, 2024 at 8:46 pm #149761znModeratorMan, that interior of the Rams oline is going to bully people. Hill, Smith, Harrah part deux.
Except maybe better since the 2024 guys are a combo of movement and sheer size/power. You could say that of Harrah in the past but not really Hill and Smith, who didn’t have that kind of raw power (and the way they played, they didn’t need to either…but still…). Rams have never had a line like this. Plus Dotson is flat nasty (I don’t know about Jackson).
If you look at what’s happening in FA in the NFC west, the 9ers and Seattle are both spending money on their DLs. So this looks strategic too. Run it on them relentlessly and give Stafford time to eat a sandwich back there.
March 11, 2024 at 8:46 pm #149762InvaderRamModeratorThe question is not will they, it’s what level of tender. Rodrigue has been saying they will. The only question is, for how much and kind of pick if any will be the compensation if he’s signed elsewhere?
well i’m at the point where i’d like to see alaric back. sign a pass rusher.
then draft defensive backs with the first four picks.
March 11, 2024 at 8:59 pm #149765znModerator69RamFan
Massive OL:
LT/AJ/6-7 330
LG/JJ/6-4 311
C/Avila/6-3 330
RG/Dotson/6-4 320
RT/RHav/6-8 330March 11, 2024 at 8:59 pm #149766znModeratorMarch 11, 2024 at 10:11 pm #149769znModeratorRams agree to terms with G Jonah Jackson, continue to bolster and adjust O-line
Jourdan Rodrigue
https://theathletic.com/5333392/2024/03/11/jonah-jackson-rams-free-agency/?source=emp_shared_article
The Rams and Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson have agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $51 million, with $34 million guaranteed, two league sources said Monday.
The deal cannot be official until the start of the new league year on March 13.
Agreeing to terms with Jackson comes just days after the Rams extended right guard Kevin Dotson on a three-year, $48 million deal with $32 million guaranteed.
Beefing up both guard positions will likely mean a move for second-year offensive lineman Steve Avila, who started every game at left guard in 2023, to center. Avila played center for two seasons at TCU, and when he was drafted there was internal chatter about one day moving him to center. The Rams would have also been open to working out a deal with previous starting center Coleman Shelton, who voided the final year in his contract. Shelton had a market, and Jackson’s availability plus a natural possible switch inside for Avila was too enticing to pass up or delay on.
Jackson (6-4, 311) also has played a little center, and the Rams could try that out — but as of now, team sources have strongly indicated Avila will move.
How he fits: The Rams openly stated after a disastrous 2022 season that they needed to re-invest in their offensive line. Head coach Sean McVay changed his run scheme to emphasize more gap and power concepts, with his trademark mid and outside zone mixed in. That also meant getting bigger on the inside with Dotson (acquired via trade with Pittsburgh in the summer of 2023) and drafting Avila at pick No. 36.
2024 impact: Avila will probably move inside. A source briefed on the matter said the Rams also expect to tender left tackle Alaric Jackson, though have not yet determined the tender amount (and were waiting for other free-agency pieces to fall into place).
Of Jackson, The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy wrote: “A Pro Bowler in 2021, Jackson, 27, has been a mainstay at left guard on one of the best offensive lines in football. He’s mobile in space, powerful at the line of scrimmage and a remarkably consistent lineman when healthy — and he’s young.”
History: Rams fans will be very, very familiar with Jackson’s body of work because he played for familiar opponent Detroit. McVay has spoken highly of coordinator Ben Johnson’s run game and Jackson’s size and strength translates over well to the Rams’ current scheme.
Cap update: The Rams also agreed to a three-year deal with tight end Colby Parkinson, worth up to $22.5 million, his agency (Wasserman) confirmed.
I’ll note, despite questions this may not actually affect the injured Tyler Higbee in 2024, though could afterward. Higbee signed a two-year, $17 million extension last September and the Rams would incur $11 million in dead money if he were released. After 2024 that sum becomes more manageable, and the Rams do expect Higbee to return from ACL and MCL repair in-season.
Pending the full outline and cap numbers for 2024, the Rams have somewhere between $6 million and $10 million to work with at this point, with more money on the way pending a Joe Noteboom restructure or release.
Outlook: The Rams won an unexpected 10 games last season behind an offensive line that dramatically improved from 2022, a healthy Matthew Stafford at quarterback and a revitalized, physical run game. That seems to be the formula this group is sticking with in 2024.
March 11, 2024 at 10:18 pm #149770znModeratorPeter Schrager@PSchragsThe Rams are building a wall with their interior offensive line. Avila likely moves to center. Dotson and Jackson at guard. That’s 1000 pounds of offensive linemen up the middle..Andrew Siciliano@AndrewSicilianoRams aren’t messing around on the interior OL. Sean McVay wants to maul you. That’s nearly 1000 pounds of push in the run game.March 11, 2024 at 10:30 pm #149771ZooeyModeratorLooks like the Rams plan to run the football.
I wonder what RBs they have their eyes on.
March 11, 2024 at 11:14 pm #149772InvaderRamModeratorLooks like the Rams plan to run the football. I wonder what RBs they have their eyes on.
good question. i do wonder if the rams still like evans.
in the draft tyrone tracy jr sounds intriguing. athletically he’s off the charts. but he’ll turn 25 this year so he could drop.
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