What is the best plan for the OL?

[CGI_Ram]

I sure would like Dotson back. One less hole to deal with, and he’s solid.

Shelton has a little Swiss army knife in him, but I wouldn’t mind a little more weight.

 

[Londoner]

Shelton has a little Swiss army knife in him, but I wouldn’t mind a little more weight.

I’m looking forward to seeing Coleman Cartman this summer…

 

[Soul Surfer]

I think it might be fun to go back and watch him play guard last year, he did quite well.

I seem to recall that he did look decent off the bench even in spot duty prior to the year they tried to start him at LG.
Between that and his injury problems, I just don't feel real confident personally in Noteboom.
Again, I always pull for every Rams player and would be glad to be proven wrong.

 

[dieterbrock]

Sixteen million a year, though? There's plenty of solid guards in this class. A couple of solid centers as well. Do you really spend sixteen-million-per-year on Dotson?

And you have to worry about a fluke year. It took a trade to us to get him to do well. Yes, he did better at right guard than tackle, but that's still a right guard. The easiest position on the O-line to replace. And you think spending the market rate - and yes, sixteen million is the market rate (according to Sportrac, unless, of course, you get him for less because LA?) is prudent?

Mind you, I wouldn't be upset if they spent that for Dotson and it turned out great, but you're still assuming a pretty big risk for a big cap hit.

EDIT: Apologies if I came off as harsh, Dieter. I just don't know if you spend that much on an interior lineman who just had a career year in his contract year.

Market rate is market rate.
He earned it, and he’s one of the top guards available in free agency.
He played great and the run game with Kyren was the best we’ve seen since prime Gurley.
Why on earth would we want to mess with that?
You draft a guy, no matter how great we think he can be, best case scenario is as good day 1.
That’s best case scenario
Less than that?
He costs what he costs.
You don’t get to buy flowers on sale around Mother’s Day, no reason why a guy shouldn’t capitalize on his market value

 

[Allen2McVay]

Simple math is not always the best way to evaluate an NFL contract.

Seen a number of posts stating that $16M or $17M per year is too big a hit against the salary cap.

Consider guard Elgton Jenkins' contract with the Packers. When Green Bay re-signed their 2x Pro Bowler last off-season, to keep him out of free agency, Jenkins was 27 (that's Dotson's current age), he received a 4 year / $68M contract that averages $17M-per-year.

Jenkins' 2023 cap hit (year one of the contract) was less than $7M.
His 2024 cap hit (year two) is $14.4M.
The Rams can probably handle comparable cap hits. Maybe they prefer to allocated the cap space elsewhere.

Of course, at some point, the cap hit is going to exceed-$17M but these contracts are not fully guaranteed. That's when the player can be released with some cap savings and some Dead-$. A player can also be re-structured a couple years into the contract.

All I am trying to say is that should Dotson sign a big-$-contract that averages between $15M-$18M, his 2023 cap hit is NOT going to be anywhere near $15M-$18M.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Again, I always pull for every Rams player and would be glad to be proven wrong.

That kind of sentiment doesn't belong anywhere near a message board

 

[Ram Ts]

Simple math is not always the best way to evaluate an NFL contract.

Seen a number of posts stating that $16M or $17M per year is too big a hit against the salary cap.

Consider guard Elgton Jenkins' contract with the Packers. When Green Bay re-signed their 2x Pro Bowler last off-season, to keep him out of free agency, Jenkins was 27 (that's Dotson's current age), he received a 4 year / $68M contract that averages $17M-per-year.

Jenkins' 2023 cap hit (year one of the contract) was less than $7M.
His 2024 cap hit (year two) is $14.4M.
The Rams can probably handle comparable cap hits. Maybe they prefer to allocated the cap space elsewhere.

Of course, at some point, the cap hit is going to exceed-$17M but these contracts are not fully guaranteed. That's when the player can be released with some cap savings and some Dead-$. A player can also be re-structured a couple years into the contract.

All I am trying to say is that should Dotson sign a big-$-contract that averages between $15M-$18M, his 2023 cap hit is NOT going to be anywhere near $15M-$18M.

I’m not a fan of paying Dotson a big money deal. However, I’m lookin at that Jenkins deal - it’s a much better team deal than I originally thought. Checking out over the cap, I agree that setup would be a win-win for the Rams/Dotson. He gets big money up front ($25M) and the early years are smaller hits. The last (4th) year is a the big hit (24.8) but can be cut with only 4.8M dead cap. Even the year before isn’t bad (9.6m dead hit). That’s a much better scenario and allows additional cap space for additions in 2024.

 

[AvengerRam]

Nearly 92% voted for one of the two options that involves retaining Dotson. Very strong consensus for a message board!

 

[thirteen28]

Market rate is market rate.
He earned it, and he’s one of the top guards available in free agency.
He played great and the run game with Kyren was the best we’ve seen since prime Gurley.
Why on earth would we want to mess with that?
You draft a guy, no matter how great we think he can be, best case scenario is as good day 1.
That’s best case scenario
Less than that?
He costs what he costs.
You don’t get to buy flowers on sale around Mother’s Day, no reason why a guy shouldn’t capitalize on his market value

Bingo.

We're not going to get a top shelf OL at bargain basement prices.

And we should remember what happened when we decided not to pay Saffold several years back.

 

[dieterbrock]

Nearly 92% voted for one of the two options that involves retaining Dotson. Very strong consensus for a message board!

I hadnt even voted until I saw this, lol
On Shelton, does anyone know for sure if his contract is voided? Seems like it should be, but oddly doesnt show it as such

 

[WestCoastRam]

Nearly 92% voted for one of the two options that involves retaining Dotson. Very strong consensus for a message board!

I mean, I think the majority of the board wants to retain Dotson. They will quibble about at what price.

The remaining percent think you're talking about a Datsun.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I hadnt even voted until I saw this, lol
On Shelton, does anyone know for sure if his contract is voided? Seems like it should be, but oddly doesnt show it as such

He hasn't yet, I believe.

 

[shovelpass]

On Shelton, does anyone know for sure if his contract is voided? Seems like it should be, but oddly doesnt show it as such

Jourdan mentioned this yesterday.

He hasn't voided it yet, has until later this month.

 

[dieterbrock]

Jourdan mentioned this yesterday.

He hasn't voided it yet, has until later this month.

Thanks! That's interesting, so its his choice? With 750k already coming his way, I see why others are considering it a no-brainer that he'll void it

 

[Allen2McVay]

Maybe the Rams and Shelton can work something out before he has to make a decision, or the start of Free Agency. Even an extension, with guaranteed $.

 

[shovelpass]

Thanks! That's interesting, so its his choice? With 750k already coming his way, I see why others are considering it a no-brainer that he'll void it

I guess so. It was news to me as well.

 

[dang]

Simple math is not always the best way to evaluate an NFL contract.

Seen a number of posts stating that $16M or $17M per year is too big a hit against the salary cap.

Consider guard Elgton Jenkins' contract with the Packers. When Green Bay re-signed their 2x Pro Bowler last off-season, to keep him out of free agency, Jenkins was 27 (that's Dotson's current age), he received a 4 year / $68M contract that averages $17M-per-year.

Jenkins' 2023 cap hit (year one of the contract) was less than $7M.
His 2024 cap hit (year two) is $14.4M.
The Rams can probably handle comparable cap hits. Maybe they prefer to allocated the cap space elsewhere.

Of course, at some point, the cap hit is going to exceed-$17M but these contracts are not fully guaranteed. That's when the player can be released with some cap savings and some Dead-$. A player can also be re-structured a couple years into the contract.

All I am trying to say is that should Dotson sign a big-$-contract that averages between $15M-$18M, his 2023 cap hit is NOT going to be anywhere near $15M-$18M.

Excellent point. For me it’s ALL about 2024. If the Rams can sign Dotson for something like 4 years/$65m. With cap hits near $10m/2024 and $15m/2025 then it could make sense. That would give them the flexibility to address other FA needs in 2024.

 

[Tumak61]

History would suggest they let Dotson go in free agency.

 

[dieterbrock]

History would suggest they let Dotson go in free agency.

What history is that?
Rams have signed many players to big contract extensions, even though it seemed like they may go the other way. Ex Higbee, Havenstien, Noteboom etc

 

[AZRams]

Agreed. I get the anxiety about the offensive line. I agree that Mcvay should require ab elite line for his system. But I'd rather he find a guard at 8-10 million. And then add a food corner as opposed to just a guard.

Food corner? Like three gas stations and a fast-food joint?