The Rams should consider signing Christian Kirksey – and fast.
As the start of the legal tampering period and free agency near, it seems more and more unlikely that the Los Angeles Rams will re-sign Cory Littleton. He seems destined to test the free-agent market, which spells bad news for the Rams.
They’d be wise to take preventative measures in the event that he does sign elsewhere, and there’s a golden opportunity for the Rams to add a veteran linebacker at a reasonable price before free agency begins.
On Tuesday, the Browns cut linebacker Christian Kirksey in what was received as a surprising move. He’s a three-time captain, only 27 years old and is a very productive player when healthy. Unfortunately, he just hasn’t been available much in the last two years, playing just nine total games.
His extended absence since 2018 could benefit the Rams, though. Considering how little he’s played the last two seasons, his price will be significantly lower than if he were an unrestricted free agent hitting the market after a healthy 2019 season.
He’s a perfect target for the Rams and fits the mold of exactly the player they’re looking for. Kirksey can play all three downs, won’t factor into the compensatory pick formula – an important part of Les Snead’s approach to free agency – and is a veteran leader with a proven track record.
And better yet, his price tag will be reasonable because he’ll likely be looking for a prove-it deal in 2020 before hitting the market again in 2021. It’s a low-risk proposition with tremendous upside, which again, is exactly what the Rams need with their limited cap space and lack of proven talent at linebacker.
In his last full season with the Browns (2017), Kirksey had 138 tackles, 3.5 sacks, six tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. The year before that, he made 148 tackles (11 for a loss), had 2.5 sacks and broke up three passes.
They may not be eye-popping numbers, but Kirksey was reliable and consistent those two years – and he never missed a game from 2014-2017. It’s just been bad-luck injuries the last two seasons after Cleveland signed him to a four-year, $38 million contract.
While not elite in coverage, Kirksey is adept at dropping back and making the proper reads. Here, he’s in man coverage against Le’Veon Bell. He avoids the attempted pick and makes a stop for minimal gain, wrapping up with a form tackle in the open field.
Against the run, Kirksey has good instincts. On this play, he shoots the gap and tackles Derrick Henry for a 1-yard loss, which isn’t easy for any linebacker to do by himself. He doesn’t hesitate after seeing the hole open, making a strong tackle in the hole.
On this last play, Kirksey knows it’s a wildcat formation, which means a run is likely coming. He sees a hole in the A-gap, reads the handoff on the option and wraps up Ty Montgomery for no gain.
Kirksey does miss his share of tackles, though. He missed four on only 15 attempts last season, which is only one fewer missed tackle than Littleton had on 139 attempts in 2019.
However, that shouldn’t preclude the Rams from attempting to sign Kirksey at the right price. He’d come with very little risk, at minimum be a No. 3 linebacker and at best become a Week 1 starter either next to Littleton or in place of him.
This is a move Los Angeles must explore.
