The Los Angeles Rams have played it relatively safe this offseason when compared to the moves they made in 2018 when they made several trades for big-name players. This year, they’ve made calculated moves, freed up cap space by moving on from veterans and adding proven players at positions of need.
They’ve filled holes that will allow them to take the best player available in the draft next month, which is typically the goal of free agency for a team as littered with talent as the Rams. Looking back on all the moves they’ve made thus far, the majority can be viewed as wise decisions.
We’ve graded all of their transactions up to this point and only one was somewhat questionable.
Releasing Mark Barron
Savings: $6.33M
The Rams could’ve held onto Barron for another year after seeing him step up in the playoffs, but that would’ve cost them more than $9.6 million in 2019 alone. That’s a big number for a player who not only struggled last season, but also missed time due to injury the last two years.
The best move for the team was cutting Barron, even if it did leave the Rams with a $3.33 million dead cap charge and a hole at inside linebacker. They’ll be able to find a cheaper starter who could also be an upgrade, potentially with second-year player Micah Kiser.
Grade: B+
Mark Barron – John Sullivan – Eric Weddle – Dante Fowler Jr. – Blake Bortles – Clay Matthews
Declining John Sullivan’s option
Savings: $5.5M
Sullivan’s play really fell off in the second half of last season, struggling in pass protection and getting very little push in the running game. He was set to be on the books for $6.25 million in 2019, which is a manageable number, but by moving on, the Rams save $5.5 million. That savings essentially paid for Eric Weddle’s salary next season.
Sullivan was great in 2017 for the Rams and finally stayed healthy, but there are always concerns about his durability, especially at his age (33). The Rams made this move knowing Brian Allen was capable of stepping in as a starter.
Grade: A-
Mark Barron – John Sullivan – Eric Weddle – Dante Fowler Jr. – Blake Bortles – Clay Matthews
Signing Eric Weddle
Contract: 2 years, $10.5M ($5.2M guaranteed)
All across the NFL, it’s hard to find a better value in free agency than Weddle. He may be past his prime and coming off a year where he didn’t have a single interception, but Weddle can still play at a very high level in the NFL. He’s a cheaper replacement for Lamarcus Joyner at half the price, bringing leadership and playoff experience to the team.
With the contracts many safeties signed this offseason – Landon Collins, Earl Thomas and Tyrann Mathieu all got at least $13.75 million per year – Weddle’s $5.25 million salary looks tiny. He doesn’t have the range or athleticism as some younger safeties, but in the Rams’ attacking defense, he’ll be able to utilize his vision and instincts on the back end.
Grade: A+
Mark Barron – John Sullivan – Eric Weddle – Dante Fowler Jr. – Blake Bortles – Clay Matthews
Re-signing Dante Fowler Jr.
Contract: 1 year, $14M ($12M guaranteed)
The Rams signed Fowler to this deal a little more than 12 hours before the legal tampering period began. The goal was to prevent Fowler from talking to other teams, which could have driven his price up. At $14 million for one year, it’s hard to imagine Fowler’s price being much higher than that on the open market.
Fowler is hardly a proven pass rusher in the NFL with just 16 career sacks and only four in 2018, but the Rams like the potential he brings at the age of 24 going on 25. His $12 million base salary is high – about what Justin Houston is getting from the Colts – but if it doesn’t work out, at least Los Angeles can move on after a year without taking on any dead money.
If he signs a big-money deal next offseason, too, the Rams will net a compensatory pick.
Grade: C+
Mark Barron – John Sullivan – Eric Weddle – Dante Fowler Jr. – Blake Bortles – Clay Matthews
Signing Blake Bortles
Contract: 1 year, $1M
When you consider the Rams paid Sean Mannion more than $1 million in 2018, there’s no way to look at Bortles’ deal and see anything other than a bargain. He’s an experienced starter who helped get the Jaguars to the AFC championship game two seasons ago. Bortles has been on a decline since then and his mechanics have regressed, but Sean McVay has a great track record of developing quarterbacks and the Rams’ staff is capable of helping Bortles improve.
At the very least, he’ll help Jared Goff mentally as his backup, considering the two are friends. The relationship between a starter and backup is important, especially when the backup has additional experience and can help as a leader.
Grade: A+
Mark Barron – John Sullivan – Eric Weddle – Dante Fowler Jr. – Blake Bortles – Clay Matthews
Signing Clay Matthews
Contract: 2 years, $9.25M ($5.5M guaranteed)
When the original numbers came out as Matthews’ deal being worth up to $16.75 million, there was overwhelming disappointment among Rams fans. However, the $9.25 million base salary is a much easier pill to swallow, putting his salary at $4.625 million per year before incentives kick in.
He’s not the pass rusher he once was, but his versatility as an outside linebacker and off-ball defender make him valuable to the Rams. They need help at both spots with very little production coming at outside linebacker last season and Barron being released to create a void at inside linebacker. It’s hard to argue against a deal for Matthews with only $5.5 million guaranteed.
Grade: B+
