Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Les Snead gave just enough of a non-answer yesterday when I asked (paraphrasing) whether the clear success of the young DL would preclude them from adding a veteran iDL in FA, to make me think that’s a market they are closely monitoring.

nittany ram wrote:

Zooey wrote:

zn wrote:

Les Snead said the Rams are looking to find a trade partner for Cooper Kupp and while he didn’t rule out the receiver staying, he said that’s the “least likely” option.

Since one of the options is giving him his unconditional release, this just underscores the fact that Kupp’s career with the Rams is over.

When asked if the Rams approached him to redo his contract to make it cap friendly, McVay said “no”.

If you look at their cap, it make sense. The Stafford numbers here, btw, are the old ones–they don’t have contract details for the new signing yet. Anyway, the point being, Kupp is costing them but not producing at that level. It’s a kind of Gurley situation.

Gary Klein@LATimesklein
Rams GM Les Snead on Stafford coming back: “It was a very impactful result…A renewal of vows.”

Gary Klein@LATimesklein
Kupp is scheduled to receive a $7.5 million roster bonus next week. Snead: “If there is a deadline in this situation, that roster date does weigh a good bit in the algorithm formula that we’re working through.”

Sarah Barshop@sarahbarshop
Les Snead said the Rams are looking to find a trade partner for Cooper Kupp and while he didn’t rule out the receiver staying, he said that’s the “least likely” option. Sean McVay said on Monday that the Rams had not had conversations with Kupp about restructuring his deal.

Rams have a long history of speed receivers who are surprises for a year or 2 then fade. Sometimes, as with Danario Alexander, it’s injuries. Sometimes they just don’t really develop a whole range of receiver skills. There’s Avery, Givens, Austin, Watkins, Atwell. Cooks to an extent but he had a little more than what I am describing and was a more solid player.

Who was the really real deal as a receiver when it comes to WRs with that kind of top speed? Holt.

Anyway. A lot of us are saying the Rams need outside speed. But that got me thinking of all their “misses” when it comes to that.

HOF QB Steve Young praising Rams, Sean McVay, Front Office, Matthew Stafford for how they handled Stafford situation. #RamsHouse #RichEisen pic.twitter.com/0KrhkYSgmr

— RAMZILLA (@elitster) March 4, 2025

They discuss the Rams at about 0.30 in.

Gary Klein@LATimesklein
McVay said OT Rob Havenstein and TE Tyler Higbee will be back. He said Rams hoped to resolve some of their own pending free agent situations before free agency begins next week

InvaderRam wrote:

my personal preference is for a tight end. mcvay has talked about getting more versatile.

This is a draft to get both, and they probably need both. The Rams need outside speed and TEs don’t really give you that, but then they could also use what a TE gives you…though of course Higbee can do a lot of that, the question is for how long. Outside speed at WR, with a guy who is more “every down” than Atwell, would go a long way (literally and figurately).

As has been said, it’s an unusually deep draft at TE, CB, WR, and DT. They can probably get 1 each of 3 of those with their first 3 picks.

Rams Bros.@RamsBrothers
Fell in love with Matthew Golden over the weekend. Wasn’t just based on the 4.29. There isn’t a route he can’t run. Everything is crisp in his game. And we know the relationship Sean and Les have with Texas.

Zooey wrote:

At this point, McVay and Snead’s track record is just too good for me to second guess, so I’ll probably be happy no matter what they do, until proven otherwise.

I have one hesitation with that. Rams have been traditionally better in the 2nd round when McVay gets out of the way. When he tries to bring in a flashy skill player, they’re not as good. When he steps aside and lets the OL coach and D coordinator step up, they’re better.

History.

#1. McVay after offensive flash:

2021 2 Tutu Atwell
2020 2 Cam Akers
2020 2 Van Jefferson
2017 2 Gerald Everett

@2. McVay stepping back & letting the D and the line grunts guys do it:

2024 2 Braden Fiske
2023 2 Steve Avila
2019 2 Taylor Rapp

On #2, a 66.66% hit rate.
On #1, arguably a 0% hit rate, or 25%, depending on how you rate Atwell.

…

Ian (Rams Up Pod)@_mandalorian27
Alaric is now the 13th Highest paid Offensive Tackle in the NFL.

I’m all for it!

InvaderRam wrote:

at this point i’d say rams should stay in the first round and pick best available tight end or cornerback. if one isn’t available at that point then trade back.

I think they need a receiver, not a TE. Rams big flaw on offense: outside speed.