Tag: rams free agency

The Rams should target Justin Simmons after the draft

With the annual race to sign players after the NFL draft expected to occur, the Rams should go all-in on safety Justin Simmons.

When the Broncos released four-time All-Pro Justin Simmons at the beginning of the offseason, many people were shocked at the move. Perhaps if not for the mismanagement of the Broncos’ financial situation by GM George Paton, Simmons might have remained in Denver.

I’ve written about a potential move for Simmons but as the dominos fell in free agency, it seems even more imperative that the Rams get their hands on such a talent.

The Rams have already spent a bunch in free agency, bringing in the likes of Jonah Jackson, Colby Parkinson, Darious Williams and Tre’Davious White. However, Simmons is a ca n’t-miss signing who honestly might not cost that much considering he’s still sitting on the market.

Here’s the reality of the situation: Simmons is at a crossroads in both his life and career. He needs to prioritize what matters most to him. He’s 30 years old, he plays a position that has been disrespected financially in the past and his game has either hit its peak or is now on the downward spiral.

If Simmons wants a massive contract, he should look elsewhere but if he wants to compete for a championship, Los Angeles is the right place for him and his family.

With three young children, establishing stability is essential for him when deciding on his future. The Rams have a history of welcoming new players and their families to the city of Angels, as made evident with Matthew Stafford, Andrew Whitworth and others.

The organization is solid and the future of the head coach and general manager is secure. No regime change is expected in the near future. The Los Angeles area is home to excellent schools and the Rams play in some of the best facilities in the world.

Simmons is a stud, a veteran presence and the calming safety net that a first-time defensive coordinator like Chris Shula will rely on to organize his defense. Simmons is the commander in the field who shows the bravery and willingness to get his hands dirty.

According to Broncos insider Keith Richards, Simmons “covers space well, is very serviceable against the run and is about as good as you can get against elite tight ends.”

Keep in mind, George Kittle averages 4.75 catches, 66.5 yards and 0.5 touchdowns per game against the Rams. Simmons will shut him down, especially on third down.

If Simmons is serious about a championship and the money is right, he’s the move. The draft class at safety already appears weak as it is and the remaining safeties in free agency will find homes quickly because of it. Simmons will be entering his ninth year in the league and he has yet to play in a playoff game. If anyone truly wants it, it’s him.

25 Rams players who will become free agents in 2023

These 25 Rams players will become free agents after the 2022 season, including Greg Gaines and Rob Havenstein

As is the case seemingly every year, the Los Angeles Rams will have a long list of key players hitting free agency after the 2022 season. They’ll have trouble keeping most of them based on the team’s salary cap situation, but the Rams will do their best to re-sign some of their top free agents.

This group includes starters such as Greg Gaines, David Edwards, Rob Havenstein and A’Shawn Robinson, as well as their kicker (Matt Gay) and No. 2 edge rusher (Justin Hollins).

Below is the full list of the Rams’ pending free agents in 2023, showing you just how many important contributors will be hitting the market next offseason.

Breaking down the Rams’ options with RFA Darious Williams

The Rams have multiple paths to keeping Darious Williams, which all come with different costs.

Darious Williams was a certified stud for the Rams last season, playing at an extremely high level in his first year as a starter. He picked off four passes in the regular season and had a pick-six in the playoffs, performing as one of the best corners in football.

His future in L.A. isn’t certain, however, as he’s set to become a restricted free agent. A restricted free agent is a player whose contract is expiring and has accrued exactly three seasons in the NFL.

Restricted free agents are easier to retain than unrestricted ones, but they’ll still cost the team a fair amount. With Williams, the Rams have multiple options when it comes to keeping him, each with a different price.

Here are four ways they could retain Williams this offseason.

Realistic free-agent targets for Rams at each position

The Rams have limited spending money in free agency, but these players could be realistic targets based on their asking price.

Given their salary cap situation, the Los Angeles Rams aren’t going to be big spenders in free agency this year. They’ll attempt to re-sign many of their own pending free agents – players such as Austin Blythe, Troy Hill and Morgan Fox – but bringing in high-priced outside players will prove challenging.

Going position by position, we highlighted realistic targets for the Rams at each spot heading into free agency. While some of these players will cost the Rams a fair amount, they’re not expected to be the top players available at their respective positions.

From quarterback to safety, here are realistic targets for the Rams in each position group.

3 Rams pegged as NFL free agents who ‘could get more money than you think’

The Rams could have a hard time retaining some of their most important free agents this offseason.

The start of free agency is just about a week away, with the market officially opening on March 17 at 4 p.m. ET. Given their cap situation, the Los Angeles Rams won’t be major players like the Jaguars, Jets and Patriots could be, but they’ll still be looking to improve on both offense and defense.

Retaining their own free agents will be critical, given how many starters are set to have their contracts expire next week. Among them are Leonard Floyd, John Johnson, Troy Hill, Gerald Everett and Austin Blythe, all of whom have contributed in significant ways at some point.

It’s tough to project how much some of the Rams’ pending free agents will make due to the declining salary cap, but Tom Pelissero of NFL Media highlighted three of them among NFL free agents who could get more money than fans might think.

Those players were Everett, Johnson and Hill.

Everett didn’t put up big numbers with the Rams, but his athleticism will surely intrigue teams that are looking for a receiving tight end who can make things happen after the catch. Johnson plays like one of the best safeties in football but he doesn’t get the recognition as one, for whatever reason. That could change once he cashes in this offseason, likely joining the top five safeties in annual salary. And then there’s Hill, who’s “on the short list of guys who can play inside and outside,” Pelissero wrote.

The Rams should be able to afford Hill or Everett if they want to re-sign them, but Johnson may be out of their price range. A deal worth at least $14 million per year isn’t out of the question for the young safety, knowing how impactful he’s been in four seasons with the Rams.

It helps that the Rams have good depth at safety and tight end with players such as Taylor Rapp, Jordan Fuller, Terrell Burgess and Tyler Higbee, but cornerback will need some help if Hill leaves; David Long could finally be called upon to start.

There will be new starters at several positions next season because of how many free agents could leave the Rams this month.

7 free-agent defensive linemen the Rams should target

If the Rams make changes to their defensive line, these 7 players could be targets in free agency.

On paper, the Rams’ defensive line looks like a strength. Aaron Donald obviously leads the group, but he’s joined by Michael Brockers, A’Shawn Robinson, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Greg Gaines.

But there could be changes coming to the group this offseason. Morgan Fox is a pending free agent, Brockers is available for trade (according to Albert Breer) and Robinson could be a cap casualty if the Rams are desperate to clear some space.

If they do decide to move on from one or two players, there will be a bunch of options on the free-agent market for them to add. Here are seven potential targets on the defensive line for Los Angeles.

7 free-agent CBs the Rams should target

If the Rams lose Troy Hill or Darious Williams, there will be plenty of options on the free-agent market.

The Los Angeles Rams already have one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, if not the very best, with Jalen Ramsey. But his two fellow starters will be free agents this month; Troy Hill will be an unrestricted free agent, while Darious Williams is set to be a restricted free agent.

Williams should be back on an RFA tender, but Hill isn’t certain to return to Los Angeles. If the Rams lose him, there will be a lot of other options in free agency – particularly when it comes to slot corners.

Here are seven cornerbacks the Rams should target in free agency when it begins on March 17, in no particular order.

5 free-agent centers the Rams should target

The Rams should be in the market for a center this offseason if they can’t re-sign Austin Blythe.

Center has been a revolving door in recent years for the Rams. They’ve had John Sullivan, Brian Allen and Austin Blythe all serve as the starter since 2017, getting mixed results from the group.

Blythe had an up-and-down season in 2020 and will now head into free agency this month – though Sean McVay has made it clear that the Rams value him on their offensive line. Retaining him will be more difficult this offseason after giving him a one-year deal last offseason, and he could choose to test the waters in hopes of landing a lucrative long-term contract.

If the Rams can’t re-sign Blythe, here are five potential targets at center in free agency.

10 free-agent edge rushers the Rams should target

The Rams need pass-rush help, especially if Leonard Floyd leaves in free agency.

The Los Angeles Rams hit a home run by signing Leonard Floyd last offseason, but they only gave him a one-year deal, so he’ll be hitting the market this month. Samson Ebukam will be too, leaving the Rams somewhat thin at outside linebacker for 2021.

Luckily for the Rams, the free-agent market is rich with options – some of whom could land in the team’s price range. They’ll need to clear up some cap space before they do anything when free agency opens on March 17, but there are moves they can make to free up enough money to sign an impactful pass rusher.

Below are 10 possible targets for the Rams as they search for pass rushers, excluding their own free agents (Floyd and Ebukam).

4 Rams ranked among NFL’s most underrated free agents

The Rams have a lot of important players hitting the market this offseason, including Leonard Floyd and John Johnson.

Free agency may not be kind to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason, seeing several of their starters from 2020 hit the market on March 17. Among their top free agents are Leonard Floyd and John Johnson, both of whom started every game last season.

Rams fans know the names of the team’s priority free agents, but they’re not exactly household names on the national landscape. That makes some of the Rams’ free agents underrated, at least in the mind of Doug Farrar at Touchdown Wire.

Farrar ranked the 11 most underrated free agents on offense and the 11 most underrated on defense and four Rams made the cut: three on defense and one on offense.

The four players were Floyd, Johnson, Troy Hill and Gerald Everett. Floyd and Johnson aren’t terribly surprising, considering they’re coming off arguably the best season of their careers, and neither Hill nor Everett are well known among casual fans.

Hill has had an up-and-down tenure with the Rams, but last season was arguably his best yet. He played the slot and lined up outside, providing the Rams excellent versatility in the secondary – which Jalen Ramsey says helped him have an All-Pro season.

Farrar lauded Hill’s coverage skills when dropping into zone, noting his three interceptions and two pick-sixes.

Last season, Hill gave up 27 receptions on 47 zone targets for 307 yards, no touchdowns, three interceptions, a league-high 119 interception return yards and two touchdowns, and a Positive Play Rate of 48.9. More volume, but more interceptions, and more big plays the other way.

As for Everett, Farrar sees what Rams fans have noticed for the last four years: a player who’s great in the open field but still has untapped potential. He’s been viewed as a breakout candidate seemingly every year, but the presence of Tyler Higbee ahead of him on the depth chart has prevented that from happening.

If Everett lands somewhere else next season, as he’s expected to, that breakout could finally come.

For a creative offensive mind, Gerald Everett could be the key to unlocking the potential of a modern NFL offense. Everett’s movement skills and quickness make him a matchup nightmare against linebackers, and given that Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay found a variety of ways to ensure that Everett would get favorable matchups this season, and then exploit them after the snap. Everett’s ability was a big reason that Los Angeles used a lot more 12 offensive personnel the past few seasons, including using that package 29% of the time this past year.

These four players may be underrated from the media’s perspective, but the other 31 teams surely know how talented they are – and that could make it difficult for the Rams to re-sign any of them when free agency opens.

The team is prepared for the departure of Johnson and Everett thanks to their depth at safety and tight end, but they’ll need help at corner and outside linebacker if Hill and Floyd depart.

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