The legal tampering period begins on Monday, allowing teams to contact agents of unrestricted free agents for 52 hours before the new league year begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Contracts can’t be signed during this time, and only terms of deals can be discussed, but it’s the unofficial start to free agency frenzy. The Rams probably won’t be very active in the early stages when high-priced free agents are scooped up, but they shouldn’t just sit back and watch.
Instead, they should talk to the agents of these 11 free agents to not only show interest in them, but explore the market to find out the cost of some potential targets.
Bears LB Nick Kwiatkoski
Kwiatkoski seems poised to become a free agent after the Bears re-signed linebacker Danny Trevathan to a three-year deal. Kwiatkoski would be a more affordable option than Cory Littleton if he leaves in free agency, with his best football ahead of him after getting the chance to start for the first time late last season.
Kwiatkoski should be a legitimate target for the Rams, who don’t have much money to spend in free agency. He’d immediately become one of their best linebackers if Littleton is gone, upgrading a unit with very little proven talent.
Jets OLB Jordan Jenkins
Jenkins doesn’t get much attention when discussing free-agent pass rushers, primarily because he played for a bad Jets team. But in the last two years, he’s piled up 15 sacks, 28 QB hits and four forced fumbles in 30 games.
Jenkins has good size for the position in a 3-4 defense, too, and is a former third-round pick in 2016. The former Georgia Bulldog doesn’t boast elite athleticism and ran just a 4.80 in the 40-yard dash at the combine, but his technique and talent make him a starting-caliber player.
Bills OLB Shaq Lawson
Lawson won’t break the bank, but he’s a former first-round pick who has put together an underwhelming career up to this point. Perhaps a change of scenery will spark a breakout season the way it did for another Shaq – Shaquil Barrett – last year.
What’s encouraging with Lawson is that he’s improved each year in the NFL, culminating in a 6.5-sack season in 2019 with 18 QB hits and 13 tackles for loss, all career-highs. Lawson should be on the Rams’ radar if Dante Fowler leaves.
Broncos DE Derek Wolfe
Michael Brockers is expected to test free agency, which could open the door at defensive end. Wolfe would be a quality replacement despite being on the wrong side of 30, racking up 7.0 sacks and 12 QB hits last season.
The Rams should gauge Wolfe’s market to determine whether he can be had at a significantly lower price than Brockers. If so, they should save some money and let Brockers leave, replacing him with another veteran in Wolfe.
Lions G Graham Glasgow
Glasgow was an underrated lineman last season, allowing zero sacks and committing only three penalties for the Lions. He earned an overall grade of 74.1 from Pro Football Focus, which is a solid number for the 27-year-old.
He’d be an upgrade at either guard spot for the Rams and won’t be on the same tier as Joe Thuney. If the Rams want to add reinforcements to their offensive line, Glasgow would be a good target and likely an immediate starter at right guard. He can also play center, which adds to his value.
Packers OLB Kyler Fackrell
Fackrell is a lower-tier pass rusher in free agency after he was relegated to a backup role in 2019 behind Preston and Za’Darius Smith. He had 10.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in 16 games (7 starts) in 2018, though, and showed good potential as a pass rusher.
A down year this past season (1.0 sack) will drive his price lower, potentially making him a bargain for the OLB-needy Rams in free agency.
Patriots G Joe Thuney
Thuney is the best guard (and probably offensive lineman) set to hit free agency, which will make him a hot commodity. He’s an elite pass blocker and is also a good in the run game, and is sure to solidify a team’s offensive line this offseason.
The problem for the Rams is that Thuney is almost certain to be out of their price range. However, if they want to get creative and don’t plan to sign any of their own top free agents, they could sign Thuney and give a youngster (Joseph Noteboom, Bobby Evans) a chance at left tackle to replace Whitworth.
49ers C Ben Garland
Garland shouldn’t be confused with a top-level center, but he was the starter for the 49ers during their run to the Super Bowl last season. He played every postseason snap for San Francisco, helping pave the way for the team’s dominant running game.
He’d be a better starter than Brian Allen, who probably won’t practice until training camp after injuring his knee last season. Garland won’t be an expensive free agent, either, never being a full-time starter in the NFL.
Broncos G/C Connor McGovern
McGovern has been a primary starter in each of the last two years, playing right guard and center in his career. he started six games at center in 2019, putting together his best season in the NFL.
He didn’t commit a single penalty and only allowed one sack on 1,013 snaps played, earning an overall grade of 71.9 from PFF. His versatility and proven track record at both guard and center make him a good target for the Rams.
Patriots LB Jamie Collins
Collins rebounded nicely with the Patriots last season, doing it all on New England’s league-leading defense. He had 81 tackles, seven sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles in 2019, arguably his best season ever in the NFL despite not making the Pro Bowl.
His ability to play any linebacker spot would be something likely coveted by Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who emphasized the importance of versatility up front. Collins would solve a lot of the Rams’ problems for a reasonable price.
Titans LB Kamalei Correa
Correa is a Swiss army knife, being able to play inside or outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. In only five starts, he recorded 37 tackles and five sacks for the Titans last season, making six tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
He also falls under that second or third tier of defenders in free agency and shouldn’t cost too much on the open market. The Rams should give his agent a call to find out how much Correa is seeking.
