The Los Angeles Rams are entering roster-management mode after falling to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. They’re a few weeks behind every other team in that regard after stretching their season into February, not that anyone will complain about that.
They have a bunch of big decisions to make this offseason, primarily with their own pending free agents. If any of the “big four” leave, the Rams will have gaping holes to fill on the roster.
We lay out those potential vacancies here with the team’s eight biggest needs of the offseason.
Outside linebacker
Dante Fowler Jr. is a free agent, Samson Ebukam was inconsistent and no other edge rusher on the roster has a track record of success in the NFL. For those reasons alone, the Rams need help at outside linebacker. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will hopefully contribute in Year 2 and Ebukam is still developing, but going into 2019 with those two as the starters would be an unwise move.
Signing Fowler long-term or using the franchise tag on him are certainly options and given the way he played late in the year, it’s reasonable to believe the Rams would like to do either. They need a proven commodity on the outside to complement Aaron Donald.
Safety
Lamarcus Joyner played 2018 on the franchise tag and underperformed after a great 2017 season. The Rams are notorious for letting high-priced defensive backs walk in free agency, a trend that includes Trumaine Johnson, Janoris Jenkins and T.J. McDonald, among others.
Assuming Joyner isn’t back next season, which he very well may not be, the Rams will be looking for a starting safety next to John Johnson III. It will be a high priority, so don’t be surprised if they go after someone like Earl Thomas or use their first-round pick on one.
Nose tackle
Keeping with the trend of potential free agent departures, Ndamukong Suh could leave a hole at nose tackle in L.A. He took less money last offseason to sign with the Rams for $14 million, but he might want to cash in one last time at this point in his career. Los Angeles won’t have the cap space or desire to give him a long-term deal, which means it will likely lose a starter up front.
The Rams need a big-bodied nose tackle to play between Michael Brockers and Donald after allowing 5.1 yards per carry in 2018 – the highest rate in the NFL.
Inside linebacker
Mark Barron came on late in the year and played some outstanding football in the postseason, but he’s a potential cap casualty for the Rams this offseason. They can cut him and save about $7 million, ridding themselves of his $9 million cap hit in 2019. There’s no guarantee that will happen, but it’s definitely a possibility after the way he played most of the season and his past injury history.
The Rams need to improve their run defense and while Micah Kiser can help, he’s far from a sure bet to be a quality starter in the NFL. They must find a running mate for Cory Littleton if Barron is released.
Offensive guard
The Rams are set at right guard with Austin Blythe and with Jamil Demby back in the mix, they have some depth, too. However, Rodger Saffold is a free agent and may not be back. The Rams certainly hope to re-sign him, but the NFL is a business and any team can come in and offer him a long-term deal that exceeds what L.A. is willing to pay.
If he returns, the Rams don’t need anything more than a backup at guard, if even that.
Backup running back
C.J. Anderson and Malcolm Brown are both free agents, so the Rams have a decision to make. Do they bring back one of the two? Or will they lean on John Kelly as Todd Gurley’s primary backup? Brown is a restricted free agent, so keeping him won’t be difficult, but Kelly will be cheaper and is younger.
They have a lot of trust in Brown so don’t be surprised to see him back, but if he returns, Anderson may not.
Backup quarterback
With Sean Mannion hitting free agency and Brandon Allen being an unproven player in the NFL, the Rams could use some help behind Jared Goff. It wouldn’t be the least bit surprising to see them take a quarterback late in the draft or a potential free agent like Davis Webb if available.
Return specialist
Pharoh Cooper was released, leaving Blake Countess and JoJo Natson as the primary return men. Neither did anything particularly great last season, though Natson showed flashes of being a playmaker in the return game. This isn’t a high priority, but if the Rams don’t feel comfortable with Natson being “the guy” on special teams, they could look elsewhere.
