InvaderRam wrote:

my one worry. he’s supposedly elite at the slot but only good outside, and he’s going to have to play on the outside with the rams.

But he didn’t have the Rams pass rush in KC.

Plus they will field at least a couple of guys who can play slot, which means they can disguise assignments because the offense doesn’t know until the snap who goes where.

Anyway. “Good on the outside” is better than what they had at the end of the season.

"I was actually with Sean McVay this weekend… he was over the moon about this."

– @JayGlazer on the #Rams trading for Trent McDuffie pic.twitter.com/yd48ngPhaE

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) March 5, 2026

from Atkins: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7092136/2026/03/05/rams-tyler-higbee-nfl-free-agency-2026/?source=emp_shared_article&unlocked_article_code=1.RFA.CY4f.aHGgYuQYDbPg&smid=ta-ios-share

Higbee has started 127 of his 138 games over 10 seasons. He was an integral part of the Rams’ run to the Super Bowl in 2021 as a checkdown option for Matthew Stafford, who has called Higbee one of his favorite teammates.

Last season, he started eight of 10 games and caught 25 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns. He was one of four tight ends who saw consistent action as the Rams deployed more three-tight end sets than any team in the league.

Higbee is one of two players the Rams have signed back so far, along with offensive lineman David Quessenberry. Los Angeles could still sign others before next week’s start of free agency from a list that includes safety Kam Curl and cornerbacks Cobie Durant and Ahkello Witherspoon.

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/03/05/rams-free-agency-tyler-higbee-contract-extension/89009672007/

Higbee was a pending free agent and was considering retirement, but Sean McVay said this week that if the veteran tight end wanted to continue playing, the Rams would be open to bringing him back.

Brett Kollmann@BrettKollmann
Okay so the Texans plan at OL might be

LT – Ersery with Fisher at swing behind him
LG – Patterson with rookie swing behind him
C – Andrews with rookie swing behind him
RG – Ingram? with rookie swing behind him
RT – Brown with Fisher at swing behind him

Gotta thread a lot of needles while hitting a lot of green lights to make this work.

Lance Zierlein@LanceZierlein
The only thing I hate about that approach is that they continue to Band-Aid their offensive line which means a lack of continuity from year to year and a need to rework every single year. At some point you’re going to have to hit on a higher number of draft picks, and lock in with at least four stable starters.

Trent McDuffie is such a DAWG.. easily the defensive MVP of this game. Shut down Deebo and batted down what would've been a 1st down conversion and sealed the game

He's going to be so great with the Rams especially with how creative Chris Shula is https://t.co/WgfOA8r8vQ

— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) March 5, 2026

“Trent McDuffie is a great schematic fit for the Rams.”@Nate_Tice and @billbarnwell discuss LA acquiring McDuffie ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/k1ukNNFukh

— ESPN Podcasts (@espnpodcasts) March 5, 2026

Daniel Jeremiah@MoveTheSticks
I see the sweet spot in this draft between 50-75. There are going to be a bunch of solid starters in that range. The edge rusher, CB or WR you get at 75 will be graded almost identically to the one you’d get at 45.

SleeperNFL@SleeperNFL
This is the 9th time since 2017 that the Rams have traded their first round pick.

The only player drafted was Jared Verse

Rams Wire@TheRamsWire
The Rams have used just one first-round pick since 2017, five fewer than every other team in the NFL.

"It's not that the Rams undervalue picks. But is it possible the rest of the league mostly overvalues picks?"@colincowherd breaks down why trading away first rounds picks hasn't stopped the Rams from being great pic.twitter.com/SKzFgvoPXr

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) March 5, 2026

from Fox, 2026 NFL Mock Draft: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2026-nfl-mock-draft-edge-rushers-dominate-top-5-mahomes-jackson-allen-get-new-wr

13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons, 8-9): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Williams: Los Angeles struggled to contain Sam Darnold and Seattle’s passing game in the NFC Championship game because of leaky defense in the back end. The addition of McCoy would provide a legitimate cover corner on the perimeter for defensive coordinator Chris Shula. And the Rams already possess one of the most formidable young defensive fronts in the league.

This is a “Rams needs before free agency and the draft” type contribution.
…

from https://ramblinfan.com/athletic-s-jourdan-rodrigue-hints-rams-have-more-moves-up-their-sleeve-trent-mcduffie

When the Los Angeles Rams competed in the NFL playoffs, two defensive problems took center stage. The team did not tackle very well, and the team’s futility at covering Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Hopefully, All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie can be more effective in coverage.

But he’s only one player.

As it now stands, the team is projected to lose four veteran cornerbacks to expiring contracts. And there is speculation that cornerback Darious Williams, projected to earn $8.67 million this season, could be a cap casualty. In essence, Snead may be forced to restock the entire cornerback room.

And one player, no matter how well he performs, cannot be expected to do that.

But McDuffie’s presence does give the secondary unexpected leverage. Now, the team has a much better chance of matching up corners to their offensive equivalents. Emmanuel Forbes may struggle against the NFL’s top receivers. But will he be more effective against the second or third offensive options in routes?

Snead thinks so.

With a deep cornerback class, the team could add a raw but talented cornerback as a depth player for now, with the expectation that he could grow into something far more. The team may even shop free agency, or re-sign one of their own corners. After all, this secondary is already building something much better for a new NFL season.

Cobie Durant may be a viable option to re-sign now. Hmm. That has a nice ring to it.

"The Rams keep getting away with it every single year."

Manti Te’o on why moves like yesterday’s trade for Trent McDuffie continue to keep the Rams at the top of the NFL. pic.twitter.com/I0G1aQwpED

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 5, 2026

Geoff Schwartz@geoffschwartz
There aren’t enough quality offensive lineman in the NFL. Just the way it’s been trending. Many reasons for it but one or two injuries and you’re screwed.

…

Rich Hribar@LordReebs
Every teams most-often used OL combo (not even the best unit) last year and the overall play % of that group.

Your team does not have enough offensive linemen.

WinningSystem@WinningSystemFB
Every young coach has watched film like this:

Play 1: good run
Play 2: good pass
Play 3: big gain

Two hours later…
you’ve watched 80 plays and learned nothing.

That’s not film study.

Film study asks:

• Why did it work?
• When do they call it?
• What formation triggers it?

That’s where game plans are built.