Wagoner: Rams mailbag

Rams mailbag: On linebackers, L.A. and more

By Nick Wagoner | ESPN.com

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/16442/rams-mailbag-on-linebackers-l-a-and-more

INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL combine is in full swing with workouts underway and free agency rapidly approaching. Lots of rumors and speculation will fill the coming months and there are plenty of questions to get to.

SuperCoolioMan @Smerc14
Any chance the Rams pick up a linebacker within the first two rounds? I’m starting to hear rumors…

@nwagoner: I probably should have added linebacker when someone asked last week what a surprise position could be for the Rams to address this offseason. Not necessarily because they are going to make it a priority but because they want and need depth there. Think of it like Aaron Donald and defensive tackle last year. The Rams didn’t have a major pressing need but wanted to upgrade there and Donald was clearly the best player available. Only if such a situation were to unfold would that seem to push linebacker up the list. Remember, a year ago they were on Alabama’s C.J. Mosley but they went Donald at No. 13 instead. The Rams will likely use their “big nickel” look a lot with Mark Barron as the de facto third linebacker but it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if they addressed the position earlier than expected if the right player falls into their lap.

Dave of House Alward @KingDavidTheXV
So who do you think will play C for Rams next year? Looking OL early in draft or in FA?

@nwagoner: It’s a good question and one that I’m not sure the Rams have an answer for just yet. Scott Wells is still a possibility though whether they keep him or release him for cap space will depend on who they think they can get to replace him. Tim Barnes is a restricted free agent but even if he’s brought back it will likely be in a depth role. Barrett Jones is still around but needs to prove he can stay healthy and handle the job before he gets a shot. And don’t forget about Demetrius Rhaney. I’m told the Rams are high on Rhaney’s potential but he still has a lot of proving to do before he can get an opportunity. There could be appealing free agents on the market, including the Kansas City Chiefs’ Rodney Hudson. If the Rams do choose to spend money in free agency, Hudson would make a lot of sense so long as his price doesn’t go out of control.

Jim Garrison @garrison_jim
Nick you’ve been pretty down the middle on Rams stadium issue, what do you think happens here

@nwagoner: It’s going to sound like a non-answer but the reality is that nobody really knows what’s going to happen. As we sit here right now, I think there’s momentum in the favor of St. Louis and the Rams staying there. The announcement of the shared stadium with the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders changes the outlook, at least on paper. But there’s a long way to go before their plan becomes reality. We have three stadium possibilities — two in Los Angeles and one in St. Louis — and right now they are all pretty drawings and renderings. Until financing comes together and dirt starts turning on stadiums (the dirt turning in Inglewood is not on the stadium but the development around it), we won’t know which direction this is going to go. There’s a lot of variables at play here. The NFL is the only entity that could really give you a good idea. Next month’s owners meetings should be awfully interesting.

Kevin Hoffmann @LiveFromKevin
Any news on free agents at combine? Love to have Kendricks/Britt back at good price

@nwagoner: The Rams are still working on those things but when you get this close to free agency, it’s rare to sign guys before they hit the market without overpaying. That doesn’t seem like something the Rams will do. Heard some scuttle here that Lance Kendricks might get something in the range of $4 million per year. Not sure the Rams would want to go to that level if it happened but his market will be more clear later on. I still think Kenny Britt returns to St. Louis but he might take a look around too because the other top receivers will likely get tagged which could leave him as one of the better options and thus, more money.

Christopher Huff @huffster21
Seems to me with how good this OL class is, should take one in 1st and 2nd round, and grab a QB in the 3rd? Thoughts?

@nwagoner: I don’t think there’s anyway you pigeonhole yourself into positions, especially in February, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Rams doubled up on offensive linemen within the first three rounds and used the other pick on a quarterback. How that breaks down remains to be seen but the obvious need is in those two spots. Problem is going to be finding the right value in a quarterback. Offensive line should be a bit easier given the depth in that group.

stay up lemon @lemonjii
What draft qb fits the ram’s offense best potentially, is it better that they don’t/offer something distinct (ex: bh17)?

@nwagoner: I’m not sure there’s really a definitive answer to this because every quarterback is a projection. I have my doubts about a guy like Brett Hundley fitting in because he needs a lot of work and the offensive philosophy is so much different from what he did in college. However, I think new quarterback coach Chris Weinke might be something of a game changer in all of this. He’s worked with quarterbacks of all shapes, sizes and talents and might be the guy to get the most out of Hundley. Jameis Winston is the only quarterback in this year’s draft who looks like he has a chance to contribute right away (unless Marcus Mariota lands in Philadelphia) but I don’t think there’s a realistic way for the Rams to land him.