Free agency began a week ago and the Los Angeles Rams made the all-in push that they needed to with money to spend. They added a star wide receiver in Davante Adams and also signed interior players like Poona Ford and Coleman Shelton. That doesn’t mention re-signing Tutu Atwell, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Larrell Murchison.
It’s hard to gauge exactly where the Rams are in terms of cap space, but depending on what cap-hits look like, they are likely hovering around $10 million to $15 million. Typically, the Rams like to stay around there heading into the season as it provides flexibility to make an in-season trade or signing. Additionally, they’ll need cap space for practice squad promotions.
A lot has changed when it comes to the Rams roster as we hit the later portion of free agency and the focus diverts to the draft. Here is a position-by-position update:
Quarterback
Starter: Matthew Stafford
Other: Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett
The Rams started the offseason by getting things situated with quarterback Matthew Stafford. While it’s not an extension, it is another adjustment that will give him more guaranteed money and keeps everybody happy until next offseason when they will re-visit once again.
Bringing back Jimmy Garoppolo was necessary. He showed that he can be a good backup when called upon in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks. The big question mark here is Stetson Bennett. During his offseason press conference, general manager Les Snead said about adding a young quarterback, “We probably would approach it ‘asap’.” The Rams won’t force anything, but just because Garoppolo is back, does not mean the Rams still can’t or won’t consider adding a younger quarterback in the draft. It’s been pretty clear at this point that Stetson Bennett is not a long-term solution.
Running Back
Starter: Kyren Williams
Other: Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers, Cody Shrader
One of the biggest needs for the Rams this offseason was adding an explosive running back and change of pace option behind Kyren Williams. It became pretty clear last year that the Rams are very stagnant at the position and lack any big play ability. Williams is a trustworthy starter and a player in which you know exactly what you’re going to get. The issue here is that Corum is the same style of running back as well.
Entering the second week of free agency, the Rams made the decision to bring back Ronnie Rivers. The hope here is that bringing back Rivers doesn’t signal that the Rams aren’t going to add to the running back position in the draft. While they may not add a running back in the third or fourth round, bringing in competition for Rivers and speed at the position is still needed.
Wide Receiver
Starters: Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington
Others: Xavier Smith, Drake Stoops, Quintez Cephus
The biggest moves that the Rams made during free agency was at the wide receiver position. They added wide receiver Davante Adams and simultaneously cut Cooper Kupp. The hope is that Adams doesn’t have a drop-off and is able to continue even at 80 percent of the player that he was three years ago. Pairing Adams with Nacua gives the Rams some variety at the position and arguably one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL.
A surprising move was bringing back Tutu Atwell, but he’s had success from the slot in his career and has taken advantage of every opportunity that he’s gotten over the past few seasons. Jordan Whittington will also look to take on a bigger role in year two.
While the signing of Adams and Atwell likely takes away from the Rams adding a wide receiver at 26, that doesn’t mean that they won’t still draft one later. In fact, drafting a wide receiver in round three or later would still be smart to add some depth here. If the Rams can add a player like Jayden Higgins in the third round to learn behind Adams, that could be smart moving forward. Still, the core three here will be Adams, Nacua, and Atwell.
Tight End
Starters: Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson
Others: Davis Allen
After not bringing back Hunter Long, the Rams are a little thin at the tight end position. This is one spot where if Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren drop in the first round, it would not be surprising to see the Rams select one of them or make a move to get one of them. The Rams could also wait until day two as it is a deep tight end class.
Tyler Higbee will be back healthy in 2025 in Week 1 and Davis Allen will look to take a step forward in year three. While Parkinson was a disappointment as a free agent signing last year, he is second tight end on the roster. We’ll see what the Rams end up doing here, but this could be one position that the Rams do prioritize in the draft. Whether it’s a starter or depth, the Rams have a need here.
Offensive Line
Starters: Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Rob Havenstein
Others: Beaux Limmer, Warren McClendon, KT Leveston, Dylan McMahon, AJ Arcuri, Justin Dedich
The Rams made the important decision this offseason to extend Alaric Jackson and pay him like a starting left tackle. Had they not been able to extend Jackson, they would have had to overpay for an unfamiliar player in free agency or forced their hand in the draft. Bringing back Jackson provides flexibility. Coleman Shelton was also brought back after a one-year stint with the Chicago Bears. Shelton will be slotted in as the starter given his contract, but if Beaux Limmer outperforms him, the Rams will have no issues playing the second-year player out of Arkansas.
While the Rams have an experienced starting five, they could look to draft some depth. A player with tackle-guard versatility would make a lot of sense. The Rams could also consider drafting a player that they see as a replacement at right tackle for Havenstein. At the very least, the Rams have options here which is a good thing.
Interior defensive line
Starters: Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, Kobie Turner
Others: Larrell Murchison, Ty Davis, Desjuan Johnson, David Olajigba, Jack Heflin
Losing Bobby Brown III in free agency was almost to be expected. With that said, the best signing for the Rams in free agency arguably came on the defensive line. The team replaced Brown with Poona Ford who is arguably an upgrade at the position. Ford is just as good, if not significantly better as a run defender. He also adds more upside as a pass rusher.
The Rams could look to add some depth here in the draft, but with Murchison, Davis, and Johnson, they have a rotation that is six deep. If there is one position where the Rams are in good shape, it is on the defensive line.
Edge Rusher
Starters: Jared Verse, Byron Young
Others: Nick Hampton, Keir Thomas, Brennan Jackson
A common theme among several positions on the Rams roster is that they are pretty set. For the most part, they really only need to add depth and that is the case on the edge. Byron Young and Jared Verse give the Rams a good starting duo. However, after losing Michael Hoecht, the defense is lacking an experienced player with size and someone that could be relied on in the rotation.
Nick Hampton hasn’t shown a lot in three years and Brennan Jackson didn’t get many snaps as a rookie. This isn’t to say that the Rams need to add an edge rusher in the first round, but taking one in the third or fourth round wouldn’t be a bad idea. At the very least, the Rams would be adding another player to the pass rush rotation.
Linebacker
Starter: Omar Speights
Others: Elias Neal, Tony Fields II
Yes, the Rams really are that thin at linebacker after losing Christian Rozeboom and Jake Hummel in free agency. No, they still probably won’t take a linebacker in the first round. There were several linebacker options in free agency at the Rams opted to spend elsewhere with Jamien Sherwood, Dre Greenlaw, and others going elsewhere.
The Rams aren’t going to overreact to two performances against the Philadelphia Eagles. Outside of those two performances, the Rams had a good run defense over the second half of the season. That doesn’t mean that they won’t draft a linebacker. In fact, them taking one in the third or fourth round wouldn’t be unheard of when it comes to past precedence. The Rams will likely draft one or two linebackers as well as rely on their scouting team to bring in a few undrafted free agents as well. This is simply a position that the Rams haven’t valued in the past.
Cornerback
Starter: Darious Williams, Cobie Durant
Others: Emmanuel Forbes, Derion Kendrick, Josh Wallace, Charles Woods, Cam Lampkin, Shaun Jolly, AJ Green
How the Rams have handled the cornerback position should tell you everything you need to know and what they think of certain players. It would not be surprising if the Rams are higher on Derion Kendrick and Emmanuel Forbes in addition to liking this cornerback draft class. There will be some good competition at this position group this offseason.
Some may find it surprising that the Rams haven’t brought back Ahkello Witherspoon. However, he doesn’t provide much of an impact in the run game. He also had a much stronger finish down the stretch than before when he was practically benched for two games against the Saints and Eagles. That’s a spot that the Rams can upgrade in the draft and add some depth if needed.
Safety
Starters: Kam Curl, Quentin Lake
Others: Jaylen McCollough, Kam Kinchens, Tanner Ingle
While the Rams may seem set at the safety position, it’s not a spot that should be ruled out in the draft, especially high. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula heavily rotated his safeties last year and at times played three or four on the field at the same time. The Rams could look at someone that is versatile, can play in the slot, and make an impact in the run game. Lake has done well in the star, but his best position has been playing two-deep.
If the Rams don’t go safety early, they could look to add a player later in the draft or as an undrafted free agent. For the most part, they are good here. Both Jaylen McCollough and Kam Kinchens will look to take a jump in year two. Still, the Rams need some more physicality at the position.
Specialists
Starters: Joshua Karty, Ethan Evans, Alex Ward
There aren’t any changes here, nor should there be. Karty found his rhythm at the end of the year and Evans’ placement got much better in year two. Xavier Smith handled punt return duties well. This is a solid group.