Best remaining free agent fits for the Los Angeles Rams after the first week of free agency
Who is left on the board that could help the Rams reach their Super Bowl aspirations?
The first week of free agency is over, and the Los Angeles Rams made only a handful of signings. The rest of the NFL spent a record-high on adding assets, whereas the Rams only made the one major signing, and opted to focus their money on shoring up depth at ancillary needs. Given the amount of star talent returning next season, it’s hard to fault that approach.
However, they do still have some spots to address, and there is plenty of talent left on the board to shore up key areas of need on the roster to help them reach their Super Bowl goals.
1. LB Bobby Okereke
If there is one spot the Rams need to address before next season, it should be linebacker. They paid Nate Landman for his run defense, but they don’t have any reliable coverage options in the room, and the team speed is sorely lacking.
Okereke is a capable, smart veteran with plenty of speed still left in the tank. He would be a boon in their dime looks and to help combat a league-wide trend into heavier personnel, and would be an upgrade over Landman and Speights. Sign me up.
2. G/C Brock Hoffman
The Rams are looking to shore up their offensive line depth in the middle to compete with Justin Dedich and Beaux Limmer as the swing interior lineman up front. In a Super Bowl run, I would rather that be a proven vet than a rookie, and Hoffman could be exactly that. Hoffman has started 17 games over his career, playing both guard spots and center in Dallas, and would bring some solid power and competitive toughness to the Rams’ interior.
3. OT Fred Johnson
I, for one, would like some insurance at offensive tackle this offseason. Alaric Jackson has struggled to consistently stay on the field with his blood clots, and Warren McClendon’s play at right tackle fell off a cliff down the stretch of the season when the Rams actually asked him to pass protect.
Johnson might not be perfect (he’s a backup swing tackle, what more do you want), but he’s played both tackle spots and his massive size and power profile would help bolster the Rams’ offensive tackle depth. In a Super Bowl run, the margins matter, and Johnson would help add some assurance around Stafford.
4. WRs Greg Dortch/Devin Duvernay
The Rams need another capable starting wide receiver, but that’s not why they would be signing these two. Both Dortch and Duvernay would be added solely to help solve the Rams’ special teams woes and boost their return game. Dortch wasn’t the most explosive returner, but he was remarkably consistent, averaging 26.5 kick return yards per attempt and 11.6 punt return yards per attempt. He can contribute there and as a solid part of the receiver rotation when the Rams go into 11-personnel.
Duvernay isn’t quite the same impact as a receiver, but he delivers an explosive edge as a returner. He picked up over 1,000 kick return yards last season with the Bears, a feat the Rams haven’t accomplished since Pharoh Cooper’s 2017 season.
5. CB Cam Taylor-Britt
The Rams have completely remodeled their cornerback room, as Emmanuel Forbes and Josh Wallace are the only holdovers from last year. Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie are the obvious starters on the outside, but their only other outside cornerback on the roster is Emmanuel Forbes, leaving their depth there rather thin. With Quentin Lake occupying the nickel spot, they can afford to take swings and address their depth.
Taylor-Britt has the length to play in their new press scheme, and he’s always been a sure run defender, a point of emphasis for them this offseason. He has struggled with injuries, making this a bit of a gamble, but the Rams are in a position where they can afford to take a swing and see if they can unlock the former second-round pick.
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