If AD told the Rams he was retiring before free agency, then why didn't the Rams sign a DT instead of . . . ??

[snackdaddy]

Well, I hope they have a plan. According to the depth chart no one is behind Bobby Brown and only Cory Durden is behind Kobie Turner.

 

[ottoman89]

I'm sure they have some sort of a plan. And I hope that plan isn't to cheaply fill out the D with a lot of young/inexperienced guys.

There's not a single player you worry about or gameplan for. And that's a big problem.

 

[André]

Well, I hope they have a plan. According to the depth chart no one is behind Bobby Brown and only Cory Durden is behind Kobie Turner.

Desjuan Johnson can also play DT, but your point absolutely stands.

 

[Psycho_X]

Well, I hope they have a plan. According to the depth chart no one is behind Bobby Brown and only Cory Durden is behind Kobie Turner.

Yeah depth is a concern right now. But got to fill in the starters first on both sides. I'm more worried about who our kicker is going to be than our backup DTs. I'm guessing another vet CB will be added and maybe an edge if we can find one they like but a lot of our defensive depth is going to be rookies.

 

[PARAM]

....because NFL teams win with offense. Aaron Donald was in the prime of his career from 2018 - 2021 but as great as he was, we only went 1-1 in the Big Game. Why? 3 points in SB53.

We didn't grab a DT because we needed to sure up our OL and we will get one in the draft.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Well, I hope they have a plan. According to the depth chart no one is behind Bobby Brown and only Cory Durden is behind Kobie Turner.

Yeah ... only four Defensive Linemen under contract right now. Figure 8-10 to open Camp.

So, even if the Rams draft three DL, they will need to make free agent additions ... undrafted free agents; and, I am guessing one or two veteran free agents.

However, those veteran signings could come after the Draft when there may be DL willing to sign for the veteran minimum. Players like Ahkello Witherspoon and Demarcus Robinson last year (signed post-Draft). There should be players that can contribute in a rotational role but quality starters? ... Probably not.

 

[Flatlyner]

Since the Rams knew after our loss to the Lions, I'm sure they have done a lot of work on the draft. To sign a big impact DT in FA would have cost too much and we would not have had any cap left to fill holes. I'm guessing they really like one of the top DT in the draft class. The guy I think that is, T.Vondre Sweat. He starts at NT and Turner moves to his natural 3 Tech position. I'm here for it.

 

[WestCoastRam]

There was a DT they were in on in FA and lost out, I'll try to find it, not a big name. I did think it was strange.

 

[Spider2YB]

Albert Breer reporting that Donald called McVay the day after the Lions game and told him. So they’ve definitely known for a long time.

Also if you go back and watch Donald’s media availability after that game, when he’s asked about coming back for next year, he says yes but you can clearly see he was not giving a full answer.

 

[Flatlyner]

There was a DT they were in on in FA and lost out, I'll try to find it, not a big name. I did think it was strange.

Its Malcolm Roach. He's more of a run stuffer and, frankly, not fantastic. Kind of a depth player so far in his career.

 

[den-the-coach]

Desjuan Johnson can also play DT, but your point absolutely stands.

Michael Hoecht will be coming back and the Rams will move him to his natural position on the defensive front. They will need a backup NT as Turner will move to Donald's position and as of right now I believe the starters will be Turner, Brown & Hoecht with presently the backups being Johnson & Durden prior to any other additions.

 

[Spider2YB]

Also Peter Schrager reporting that people in the Rams organization felt like it was ADs last season pretty much all year. I know some people on here was shocked but it sounds like no one within the organization was. McVay and Snead definitely have a plan.

 

[baconandbread]

Unless we are unbelievably lucky in the draft, there's no player off our roster that can reasonably replace AD. They have a plan and are sticking with it.

 

[dang]

Albert Breer reporting that Donald called McVay the day after the Lions game and told him. So they’ve definitely known for a long time.

Also if you go back and watch Donald’s media availability after that game, when he’s asked about coming back for next year, he says yes but you can clearly see he was not giving a full answer.

So this.
As we suspected the Rams knew well ahead of FA. Therefore they have a plan that will likely include another FA vet, a high draft pick and likely some Draft depth. I hope Hoecht is targeted for DE/5T.

 

[Psycho_X]

Also Peter Schrager reporting that people in the Rams organization felt like it was ADs last season pretty much all year. I know some people on here was shocked but it sounds like no one within the organization was. McVay and Snead definitely have a plan.

I honestly think they knew last offseason too. I think Kobie Turner was targeted specifically as an AD replacement. So they prepared for it last offseason and let him learn beside the legend.

 

[Pupped]

I'd have to say there was nothing in their budget range they thought was worth it.

They have one real stud along the line in Turner.. a guy who, when healthy, in Brown, who gives them a plus guy on first and second downs.

They have work to do here.. but I think the draft gives them an opportunity. Maybe one value veteran later on.
They seem to be likely losing Jonah Williams.. maybe that slot is for a vet min guy.

 

[WestCoastRam]

It sure sounds like the plan was to lean into offense, keep Stafford upright and run the ball, try for a top 3 offense.

And just try to give the D pieces to get it to middle of the pack.

 

[DzRams]

I honestly think they knew last offseason too. I think Kobie Turner was targeted specifically as an AD replacement. So they prepared for it last offseason and let him learn beside the legend.

Agreed. I think they knew 2 years ago when he flirted with retirement that his time with them was coming to an end and started planning for next steps. Kobie Turner is no AD but he's a pretty good consolation prize.