The Los Angeles Rams have been hard at work preparing for not only free agency and the NFL draft, but also examining which players could be cut by other teams this offseason. It’s an important part of roster-building because there are quality players cut by teams each and every year for financial reasons.
Some have already been determined, such as Nigel Bradham, Paul Richardson, Josh Norman and Vernon Hargraves, but we’re looking at 11 other players who could be cut this offseason that would potentially interest the Rams.
They’re grouped by position, beginning with inside linebackers.
LB Avery Williamson
Williamson missed the entire 2019 season with a torn ACL and could now be out in New York. It was a freak injury, as he played all but one game in his career prior to that point. Coming from a 3-4 defense, he’d slide in seamlessly at inside linebacker if Cory Littleton were to leave. He’s certainly someone the Rams should call immediately if he’s cut by the Jets.
LB Dont’a Hightower
Bill Belichick has always been one to move on from a player a year early rather than a year late, and Hightower could be the latest example of that. He’ll be 30 in March and is on the decline of his career, but he’d still be the Rams’ best linebacker if Littleton doesn’t return. His versatility as a pass rusher provides added value, too. The Rams got a good taste of his ability in Super Bowl LIII and he’s coming off a season with 71 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
G Ronald Leary
Leary was dominant for the Cowboys but one thing has remained true through his time with Denver: He has trouble staying healthy. He’s played just 29 games the last three years and is squarely on the chopping block. If available, he’d be an upgrade at left guard for the Rams, bringing in a powerful run blocker to fortify the offensive line. Given his injury history, his cost would be reasonable, likely signing a short-term, team-friendly deal with little guaranteed.
G Brian Winters
Winters only played nine games last season but allowed just one sack and had an overall grade of 62.4 at PFF. He’d provide a boost at guard for the Rams, which is the position with the most uncertainty on the roster. Bringing in a proven veteran would also help the young offensive linemen who are waiting in the wings, giving them another year to learn before potentially becoming starters.
OL Pat Elflein
Elflein had a disappointing 2019 season at left guard, allowing six sacks and committing eight penalties. Still, he graded out better than the Rams’ guards with a mark of 64.8 from Pro Football Focus. A former first-round pick, he’s struggled at both guard and center but a new situation could work well for him – especially if Aaron Kromer gets to coach him up.
OLB Leonard Floyd
Floyd has been a huge disappointment with the Bears the last three years, failing to top 4.5 sacks in any season with that number declining each year. He’s only 27, though, and has ties to new Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley from their time together in Chicago. If Dante Fowler Jr. departs, Floyd will probably be on the Rams’ radar. He’d bring competition to the outside linebackers room with Samson Ebukam, Clay Matthews and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.
OLB Trent Murphy
Murphy is productive when healthy, but he’s missed time throughout his career – specifically all of 2017 and three games in 2018. He had five sacks for the Bills last season to go along with nine tackles for loss, but perhaps he can recapture the magic he showed in 2016 when he had nine sacks and 25 QB hits.
OLB Charles Harris
A former first-round pick in 2017, Harris has flopped with the Dolphins. He’s a candidate to be cut this offseason as the Dolphins continue to rebuild their roster, and maybe a change of scenery (and scheme) would do him some good. He’d fit perfectly in a 3-4 defense like the Rams’, allowing him to rush from a two-point stance and play aggressively against the pass.
NT Damon Harrison
If cut, Harrison would be a quality addition at nose tackle. One of the best run stuffers in the league – even though he didn’t show that in 2019 – having Harrison on the interior would do wonders for Aaron Donald. At 31, he’s no longer in the prime of his career, but that could help the Rams with his price.
NT Dontari Poe
The Panthers can save more than $9 million by cutting Poe, and with a new regime coming in, it seems like a very possible move. He’s 29 years old and makes $9.33 million per year on his current deal, but if he’s cut, he won’t get a salary that high again. He could be a one-year target for the Rams on a reasonable contract, shoring up the nose tackle position for at least one season.
DL Tyrone Crawford
Crawford has spent his entire career with the Cowboys, which could lead him to re-sign with Dallas at a lower salary if he is cut. He’d be a viable replacement for Michael Brockers if he leaves in free agency, though durability is a concern. Prior to 2019, he was consistent, recording at least four sacks in the previous four seasons.
