The Los Angeles Rams have been an inconsistent hitter in free agency. Sometimes, they’ve been increasingly active, like last year when they added Davante Adams, Poona Ford, and Coleman Shelton early on. Other times, they’ve been fairly slow going, mainly aiming to take care of their own and adding a small move here and there.

This offseason, however, they should be active, with plenty of cap room to spare and holes on the roster to shore up. In such a critical offseason, they can’t afford to miss in free agency. Who are the top names they should avoid in free agency?

CB Jamel Dean

Jamel Dean’s name has been brought up routinely for the Rams as a free agent target, but his name is carrying a lot more weight than it should. The Buccaneers have been trying to offload him for years (hence the significant pay cut last season) because of his vastly inconsistent coverage ability and lack of production. Additionally, he’s never played a full season in the NFL.

Dean’s length and physicality have always been a strength of his game, but his effort has been largely inconsistent even dating back to college, and his awareness in zone (the Rams’ bread and butter staples) is still a developing work-in-progress. Combining that with his injuries over the years and his almost 30 years of age, I just don’t see a player who would be worth the potential bidding war that might unfold for him.

LB Quay Walker

There is a connection here, as Rams LBs coach Greg Williams coached Walker with the Packers. However, Walker would be a name I’d avoid due to his inconsistent play. Walker was a first-round pick with the Packers for a reason with his athletic ability and upside, but he has never taken that step to becoming one of the top linebackers in the game that his draft status suggested.

His instincts and awareness in coverage and run defense are still below-average, and his discipline has never been ironed out. While the Rams do have a need at linebacker, Walker’s price tag will likely be far too steep for my taste.

CB Nahshon Wright

Wright is another name I hope the Rams avoid. Wright was productive last season, but his 2025 season was reminiscent of the Trevon Diggs corollary, where a cornerback gets a ton of production but allows a ton of yards. Wright allowed the second-most touchdowns in the country last season and the fifth-most yards, and his ball production seemingly came more from just being the more targeted defender than anything else. Considering how fluky turnover luck is year-to-year, his would be a name I would avoid. If the Rams wanted a corner like that, they should just re-sign Cobie Durant. 

LB Tremaine Edmunds

Much like Quay Walker, Edmunds is another former first-round pick who has also never really matched his draft status. Edmunds is further along than Walker and his elite athleticism lets him get away with more, so his profile is more appealing, but his price tag will probably be worth more than the Rams should give him.

WR Rashid Shaheed

This isn’t a dismissal of the player here, as Shaheed is a valuable contributor on both offense and special teams. However, I put him on this list simply due to price and fit with the Rams. I don’t expect the Rams will be in a lot of 11-personnel for Shaheed to see a good chunk of snaps, as they have begun to fully invest in the heavy-personnel looks, and I’m not taking either of Adams or Nacua off the field in 12-personnel.

Shaheed can be an impact player, but I simply think he’ll cost too much for a rotational role player in the Rams’ offense.

Los Angeles Rams News

The Rams have multiple smart value free agency options to pursue in the secondary after retirement of Darious Williams

The Rams have plenty of options to choose from to replace cornerback Darious Williams in free agency.

AJ Schulte