from Rodrigue, https://theathletic.com/5323006/2024/03/07/los-angeles-rams-aaron-donald-free-agency/?source=emp_shared_article

• After they wrapped their last training camp in August in Irvine, Calif., the Rams began considering their alternate site options for future camps. Any decision must be finalized (and announced) relatively soon this spring, because of the logistics involved in establishing a training camp.

The #Bills were $40M over the salary cap entering today.

They've already released C Mitch Morse, S Jordan Poyer, CB Siran Neal and WR Deonte Harty…. And they are still over the cap.

So for the doubters… The salary cap is very real.

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 6, 2024

BREAKING: The #Rams are not tendering OLB/DT Michael Hoecht, sources tell @_MLFootball.

Hoecht finished the season with 6 sacks in his first year at OLB. A very bright, young player with a lot of upside.

Expected to generate significant interest on the open market, per sources pic.twitter.com/ejg7dAJfGG

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 6, 2024

2024 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: What do Rams projections look like post-combine?

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/2024-nfl-mock-draft-roundup-what-do-rams-projections-look-like-post-combine

With the annual NFL Scouting Combine a wrap, it’s another chance for a timely look at experts’ latest draft projections for the Rams.

Here’s a look at some of those forecasts as of Tuesday, March 5. All projections are for the Rams’ first-round pick (19th overall) unless noted otherwise.

The Athletic
Date: March 5

Expert: Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Analyst

The pick(s): Florida State EDGE Jared Verse (pictured above)

Notes: A name that has come up in previous mock drafts for the Rams, the 6-foot-4, 254-pound Verse posted nine sacks, 41 total tackles, 11 QB hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick for the Seminoles in 11 games played last season.

NFL.com
Date: March 4

Expert: Lance Zierlein, Draft Analyst

The pick(s): Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton (23rd overall, via projected trade with Texans)

Notes:In this projected trade back with the Texans, Zierlein has the Rams address their offensive line by getting 6-8, 322 Guyton, who primarily played right tackle for the Sooners but also has experience at left tackle. Guyton was an honorable mention All-Big 12 honoree for his performance in 10 games played, with nine starts at right tackle, last season.

“While the Rams have a variety of spots to fill, they also have the projected cap space to attack free agency,” Zierlein writes. “The chance to upgrade the left tackle spot in the draft is too good to pass up.”

Pro Football Focus
Date: March 4

Expert: Gordan Guinness, NFL Analyst

The pick(s): Oregon QB Bo Nix

Notes: In this instance, PFF predicts the Rams to plan for the future.

“I ultimately think Nix — or whoever the fourth quarterback in this class winds up being — comes off the board earlier than this, but the fit here makes so much sense to me,” Guiness wrote as part of his analysis.

Nix departed the Ducks as their all-time leader in completion percentage at 74.9 (658-of-879), while also breaking Oregon’s single-season records for completions (364), passing yards (4,508) and passing TDs (45) in 2023. He also set the new NCAA single-season record for completion percentage last season at 77.45 (364-of-470).

USA TODAY
Date: March 4

Expert: Nate Davis, NFL Reporter

The pick(s): UCLA DE Laiatu Latu

Notes: Latu has been a popular projection for the Rams throughout the offseason. Last year’s Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, he led the FBS with 1.8 tackles per game en route to winning the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award (nation’s top collegiate defensive end).

Los Angeles Times
Date: March 4

Expert: Sam Farmer, NFL Reporter

The pick(s): Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson

Notes: Another common name amongst Rams projections, Powers-Johnson (6-3, 334) played four of the five offensive line positions in his three season at Oregon. In 2023, he didn’t allow a sack and gave up only one pressure across 471 pass-blocking snaps in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus, en route to unanimous All-American recognition and the Rimington Trophy (nation’s best center).

Pro Football Focus
Date: March 4

Expert: Gordan Guinness, NFL Analyst

The pick(s): Oregon QB Bo Nix

Notes: In this instance, PFF predicts the Rams to plan for the future.

“I ultimately think Nix — or whoever the fourth quarterback in this class winds up being — comes off the board earlier than this, but the fit here makes so much sense to me,” Guiness wrote as part of his analysis.

Nix departed the Ducks as their all-time leader in completion percentage at 74.9 (658-of-879), while also breaking Oregon’s single-season records for completions (364), passing yards (4,508) and passing TDs (45) in 2023. He also set the new NCAA single-season record for completion percentage last season at 77.45 (364-of-470).

from Rodrigue, in NFL Scouting Combine: One thing we learned about all 32 teams in Indy: https://theathletic.com/5311636/2024/03/04/nfl-scouting-combine-what-we-learned/?source=targeted_email&campaign=9201234&userId=603890

Los Angeles Rams

Is continuity on the offensive line the Rams’ priority entering free agency? The front office — spearheaded by comments from GM Les Snead on Wednesday — is conveying that message, saying they are in constant communication with representation for starting center Coleman Shelton, who voided the final year of his deal and will be a free agent, and starting right guard Kevin Dotson. Both players are expected to at least hit the legal tampering period portion of free agency, and if the Rams can’t get something done with either or both players, their draft needs along the offensive line become more urgent. However, scouts and analysts in Indianapolis have raved about the strength of this offensive line class, particularly at center and tackle. Either way, expect the Rams to invest here. — Jourdan Rodrigue

I've got about 18 WRs in my Top 10 this draft class. Is that a problem?

— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) March 5, 2024

Happy birthday to the captain of the Defensive backs, Jordan Fuller

Fuller is a great example of LA finding quality players in the later rounds. The former 6th round pick led the Def in tackles during our Super Bowl winning season. Fuller has been a solid starter since 2020 pic.twitter.com/D4Y13hdE0I

— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) March 4, 2024

wv wrote:

Saw a stat on the Patriots. Over last ten years, they have had 18 first or second round picks. Of those picks only 1 made a probowl, and that was QB Mac Joens who made it one year. Zero first team all-pros. Zero players signed by Pats to a second contract. w v

And as a result, right now Patz have the most cap space, with just over 101 M.

The cap is set at just over 255 M.

Here are the Patz top 5 contracts:

Kyren Williams led the league with the avg of 95.3 rushing yards per game. What a spectacular breakout season for the St. Louis native

Williams was certainly a major catalyst for the Rams 2023-24 playoff push.

McVay ran offenses are at their best with a strong running game pic.twitter.com/xmPPoofeD2

— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) March 3, 2024

Tom Pelissero@TomPelissero
No surprises: The new kickoff rule crafted by NFL special teams coordinators would allow teams to attempt an onside kick only when trailing in the fourth quarter — and require them to declare it in advance, per sources.

NFL special teams coordinators met Saturday at the combine. Other notes on their proposal …

If the kickoff team declares they’re attempting an onside kick, they potentially could be allowed to utilize an unbalanced (6×4) formation, raising odds of recovery. Just 5.2% were recovered in 2023 and there just two surprise onside kicks, thanks largely to run-ups being banned.

Setup zone: The kick and return teams would line up on the receiving team’s 40- and 35-yard lines, respectively, and not leave until the ball is touched or reaches the “target zone” (20-yard line to goal line).

Touchbacks: If the ball is kicked into the end zone, the receiving team gets it at the 35. If the ball is kicked into the target zone and rolls into the end zone, the receiving team gets it at the 20.

Language still being finalized and owners must approve.

InvaderRam wrote:

i’m a little worried they won’t be able to keep dotson. oline testing and drills at the combine today.

I think they can keep him, meaning strictly speaking they are able to if they want to. The question is whether they want to. Do they have a thing about how much they are willing to pay a guard? If so IMO itz krazy. I would pay a Dotson and then nasty block my way to the division title.

Rams current OL roster. I blue-bold the known starters. Players in red are (IMO) goners. Players who right now have uncertain status are green bolded & followed by question marks.

Tremayne Anchrum
AJ Arcuri
Steve Avila
Logan Bruss
Kevin Dotson ?
Rob Havenstein
Alaric Jackson
Mike McAllister
Warren McClendon Jr.
Joe Noteboom
Coleman Shelton ?
Zach Thomas

It’s a deep draft at OL and so I expect them to load up, and that’s regardless who they do or do not keep. I expect them to take 2-4 guys, both high and low in the draft.

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
A lot of coaches are going through leaguewide tape especially with pro personnel depts before free agency. Cool tidbit I heard today from a couple defensive coaches who weren’t on Rams schedule but team came up cross-checking tape: “That 17 kid can really freakin’ PLAY.”

I love coming here and chatting/listening to all kinds of perspectives because you get a lot of teaching and opining on what might come next schematically, from a coaching perspective. Pro scouting process before FA really the only time they get a chance to see the whole league.