The Los Angeles Rams mostly kept their core together last season after reaching Super Bowl LIII. Yes, players came and went, but wholesale changes weren’t made – with the exception of two new starters on the offensive line and a few others on defense.
This offseason could bring about significant changes. It’s not going to be a rebuild, by any means, but the Rams have numerous key players hitting free agency and not a ton of money to spend.
In order to save money and use it elsewhere, the Rams should let these five pending free agents walk in March.
DE Michael Brockers
Brockers had one of his best seasons in a long time, recording a career-high 63 tackles and posting 3.5 sacks to go along with them. He’s a stout run defender – among the best in the NFL, according to Aaron Donald – and is a key member of the defense. However, he’s also 29 years old and just cost the Rams $10.75 million in 2019.
If he’s hoping to maintain a salary north of $10-11 million, the Rams should move on. For the position he plays, the Rams can find someone nearly as productive for far less money. Given his history with the team and leadership in the locker room, it’ll be tough for the Rams to move on. But if he doesn’t give a hometown discount, Los Angeles should look elsewhere.
OLB Dante Fowler Jr.
The toughest decision the Rams have to make this offseason is the one likely looming between Fowler and Cory Littleton. They won’t be able to keep both, needing to choose one or the other (or neither). Fowler is a good player and was an impactful presence on defense this season, but he’s going to cost a lot in free agency – more than Littleton.
The Rams gave him $14 million for one season, and his price tag is going to be even higher after he posted 11.5 sacks in a career year. Edge rushers are typically more valuable than inside linebackers, but they’re also more expensive. Fowler will be treated similarly to the way Za’Darius Smith was last year, earning a contract in the range of $65 million for four years.
That’s too much for the Rams, who have Samson Ebukam, Clay Matthews and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo on the roster.
QB Blake Bortles
Bortles fortunately wasn’t needed at quarterback this season, as Jared Goff was able to stay healthy for all 16 games. The Rams only paid him $1 million to be the backup, which was a bargain they couldn’t turn down, but he won’t come that cheap in 2020 with Jacksonville no longer paying part of his salary.
John Wolford spent the year on the practice squad and has potential as a future backup. His time may not come in 2020 to be QB2, but the Rams clearly like him and he’d be significantly cheaper than Bortles. Los Angeles can either move to him as Goff’s backup or look to the draft with a late-round pick to replace Bortles.
ILB Bryce Hager
Hager was injured early in the season, but even when healthy, he lost playing time to Troy Reeder and Travin Howard. He’s a valuable special teams player, but the Rams shouldn’t feel pressed to keep him as a reserve linebacker. They have Reeder and Howard, as well as Kenny Young currently on the depth chart behind Cory Littleton – assuming he returns.
Hager simply isn’t a starting-caliber linebacker right now and the Rams would be better off letting him walk and turning to Howard as a potential starter next to Littleton. Hager shouldn’t be a high priority this offseason.
WR Mike Thomas
Thomas has stuck around for his special teams play, but it’s time to move on from him and add a player who can also contribute as a wide receiver. Thomas simply hasn’t done that in his career and there’s really no reason to believe that’ll change in 2020.
The Rams can replace him fairly easily with a younger, cheaper player either in the draft or in free agency, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if they let him walk in free agency. His only contributions at this point come on special teams.
