Trade:
Brockers to the Giants for 4th and 5th round picks (both comp picks) - Giants have a ton of picks and despite likely getting a rookie QB, with Barkley and OBJ in place and other vets on D, they want to try to win sooner rather than later.
Cut:
Barron
Sullivan
The above moves give us a total of about $50 million in cap space - figure $10 million for the rookie class and a few moves during the season, and about $5 million for the RFAs, which leaves us about $35 million to spend:
Re-sign:
Suh - 2 years $22 million - make most of this guaranteed and Suh would take it IMO
Saffold - 3 years $30 million
Shields - 1 year $1.5 million
Barron - 1 year $3 million - after being cut and gauging the market for him, he has no choice but to take whatever the Rams are willing to pay him
Free agents:
Ryan Groy C/G - 2 years $3million - this one makes so much sense it would be shocking if it didn't happen
Darian Stewart S - 1 year $5 million - another one that makes a ton of sense
Before going into the draft:
Projected Starters
QB: Jared Goff
HB: Todd Gurley
XWR: Brandin Cooks
ZWR: Robert Woods
SLWR: Cooper Kupp
TE: Tyler Higbee or Gerald Everett
LT: Andrew Whitworth
LG: Rodger Saffold
C: Austin Blythe vs. Brian Allen vs. Groy
RG: Joseph Noteboom vs. Austin Blythe
RT: Rob Havenstein
5T: Ndomukong Suh
NT: Sebastion Joseph-Day
3T: Aaron Donald
WOLB: Obo Okoronkwo
Mo LB: Cory Littleton
Mike LB: Mark Barron or Micah Kiser or Bryce Hager
SOLB: Samson Ebukam
RCB: Aqib Talib
LCB: Marcus Peters
SLCB: Nickell Robey-Coleman
FS: John Johnson
SS: Darian Stewart
K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
Up until now I would LOVE this offseason because it comes with starters that I would be confident in at every position except our NT and OLB - I also love the upgrade of Noteboom at guard and Blythe to center - these moves give us a ton of flexibility in the draft, and the trade of Brockers adds an additional two picks.
Draft picks:
1st (pick 31)
3rd (pick 93)
3rd (comp)
4th
4th (comp from Brockers trade)
5th
5th (comp from Brockers trade)
6th
7th (comp)
Nine draft picks while likely adding more comp picks next year for Fowler and Joyner leaving, plus having our starters possibly set - this seems exactly what Snead and McVay will go for this year. the defense was amazing in the playoffs save for Joyner and I want to run that back for the most part.
Round 1 - Dexter Lawrence, DT Clemson - trying to guess who will or will not be on the board right now at 31 is an exhausting exercise - but Lawrence might be and if he is, I would love to plan him next to Donald and Suh on the DL. This will also lessen the blow when Suh leaves the following year or year after.
Round 3 - Lil'Jordan Humphrey, WR Texas - I've felt consistent in this thought: Kupp going down just can't kill the entire offense like it did at times, and unlike Reynolds, Humphrey played from the slot quite a bit and should be comfortable there. Also provides us with KR and PR ability.
Round 3 (comp) - Christian Miller, EDGE Alabama - a guy with the tools but hasn't consistently put it together.
Round 4 - Beau Benzschawel, G Wisconsin - powerful guy but needs a lot of work - good developmental guard to have who can fill in as needed and potentially take over for Saffold or Noteboom when he moves to LT.
Round 4 (comp) - Jarrett Stidham, QB Auburn - between us needing a backup QB and Snead's Auburn connection, I imagine if Stidham is still on the board here we're probably running to the podium.
Round 5 - Iman Marshall, CB USC - will need some work obviously, but his size/athleticism will be enticing here.
Round 5 (comp from Brockers trade) - Wyatt Ray, EDGE BC - seems like a guy that will test well but his production was just okay - looks like his film isn't great either, which is why he could fall this far.
Round 6 - Isaiah Johnson, CB Houston - not a lot to like about him except for his size - at 6'4", worth the flyer with what is essentially a 6th round pick to see if he can learn from our talented CB room. Any pick at this point is going to struggle to make the team.
Round 7 - Trace McSorley, QB PSU - this pick, whoever it is, will be the longest of long shots - Rams will likely take a priority UDFA here, but I say bring McSorley in - his athleticism is intriguing at the very least.
As a base for critiquing any off season plan, I recall McVay and Snead talking about bringing in vets and justifying trading picks for them because, they cannot afford to wait for a rookie to develop, when they are a playoff team. So starting any rookies or inexperienced players doesn't seem to fit that line of thought, still.
I'm not in the trade/cut Brockers camp. I'd try a restructure. Brockers isn't a NT and if Suh only stays one more year, or not at all, Brockers still will have value to this team. The guy that I wanted the Rams to sign was Linval Joseph, but that ship has sailed. He wasn't that expensive and could play the Nose. I don't think Joseph Day would cut it as a Brockers replacement. A vet Nose Tackle would be nice.
I would prefer to replace Barron because I don't think he's durable enough for the position, though I like him when healthy. He and Brockers played well in the playoffs. It's hard to replace a vet on a playoff team with a rookie.
I could see signing Groy. Blythe was exposed by N.E. So was Sullivan. I'd prefer Paradise if he is cut, which is rumored as likely. There may be a few Safeties cut that are better than Stewart. I am not a big fan of Stewart's hit or miss tackling. But, I do like the idea of a vet like Glover Quinn, another likely cut, who has been mired in a loser and could be thirsty for some winning and willing to give a discount.
I still think Barron needs replaced, even if restructured. A stud like Mosely would be huge there. But unlikely due to expense. If there is one player I'd love for the Rams to spend on it would be him.
It will be interesting to see if they can resign Fowler or choose to franchise him for a year. Of all of the need areas for future replacements, DL and edge are well suited to find help in this draft. Another vet who could be cut is Terrell Suggs. He can still produce and is an intelligent football player and a leader in the field.
The draft would be alright, except the QBs. Don't waste the picks. Any rookie is going to have trouble cracking the starting lineup, even Lawrence. Back to the QBs; I don't like Stidham, and although I love McSorley's winning ways, I don't see how he is a fit for the NFL. I don't think he can play any other position, and as a QB his accuracy was often poor in games. He's too small too. But I do like the idea of a backup who can run. It really can throw a defense off when a running QB comes in, in place of a pocket passer. I remember when Seattle had Seneca Wallace, and the Rams Defense didn't look prepared for his style of play. Any draft prospect the Rams draft would be based on potential development. High upside guys that aren't quite there because the lack something. Kind of like Noteboom lacking physicality and strength.
I'd love it if Perez was given another shot. It'd be a nice story and he's looking good in AAF. This year's QB class isn't very impressive. Finding a legit replacement for Mannion could be tough. I think the Rams will allow Mannion to test FA, because he's nothing special.
uke:
