The Los Angeles Rams saw their season come to an end against the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round this past weekend.
If Aaron Donald was fully healthy, Cooper Kupp was in the lineup, and Jared Goff had a working thumb, perhaps the result against the Packers may have been different. Of course, injuries are a big part of the NFL, so the Rams find themselves going to Cabo with Jamal Adams and the Seattle Seahawks just one week later.
The Rams are one of the most interesting teams heading into free agency because, on paper, they are one of the more complete teams in the league. They can obviously improve in some areas, but they are rock solid across the board.
With no first-round pick or fourth-round pick due to the Jalen Ramsey trade, the Rams are somewhat limited in draft capital. Unfortunately, it could also prove difficult to make notable moves in free agency. They've signed their core guys to long-term deals and don't have very much cap flexibility, currently sitting around $21–22 million over the salary cap for 2021.
Going into the offseason, the Rams are losing some key players to free agency. Leonard Floyd, Austin Blythe, and Troy Hill Jr. are all expected to hit the open market. The Rams are going to have to find a way to free up some cap space in order to sign some starting-caliber players this offseason, otherwise, they are unlikely to be major players.
Here are some early targets for the Rams in 2021 free agency.
1. Rams sign a LT
The Rams had the top-ranked defense heading into their matchup with the Green Bay Packers, but that still wasn't enough to get the win. While L.A.'s defense was ripped apart thanks in part to Donald being hobbled, the offense wasn't all that impressive either. It was clear that Jared Goff needed more protection in the pocket to make plays.
A good start to addressing this problem would be to sign a left tackle in the offseason. Free agency is a particularly good option for left tackles because offensive linemen often take some time to mature and become effective.
There are a few left tackles worth targeting in free agency, but one stands out more than the rest. That player is Trent Williams.
Williams is 33 years old, but he just played his first full season (almost) since 2018. Williams is an eight-time Bro Bowler who has shown complete dominance from the left tackle position, even at 33.
This Trent Williams pancake 🥞 @brgridiron
(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/xYcCYC0Arc
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 13, 2020
One great thing about signing Williams in the offseason would be the Rams wouldn't have to play against him two times every year. Williams is currently a San Francisco 49er, so essentially the Rams would be hitting two birds with one stone here.
At 33, Williams likely won't get offered more than a two-year deal which is in the Rams favor. An aging lineman with plenty still left in the tank could be an opportunity to get a bargain.
Williams specializes in pass protection and would give Goff the extra time he needs in the pocket to find open receivers. This would be a major upgrade for the Rams.
Consolation Prize: Alejandro Villanueva
Villanueva would be a cheaper alternative to Trent Williams and would still be an upgrade on Andrew Whitworth, who turns 40 years old next season and could be a cap casualty.
2. Rams sign an ILB
The Rams dominated defensively even with some subpar play from their linebacker group. With Aaron Donald up front and Jalen Ramsey in the secondary, L.A.'s focus on defense should be the middle section of their defense.
Their outside linebackers were solid rushing the passer this season, but their current inside linebackers had trouble in coverage against speedier running backs and bigger tight ends.
That's why the Rams should go after Avery Williamson.
Williamson was merely a one-year rental for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who acquired Williamson after losing Devin Bush for the season. Williamson will likely hit free agency and would be a sneaky good signing.
Williamson had one of his best years despite the midseason team swap. He had 111 total tackles and filled in nicely on the Steelers' elite defense.
Williamson is not one of the high-profile linebackers hitting free agency, so the Rams shouldn't be competing with too many teams for him. If L.A. can get Williamson on a smaller deal (under $10 million per year), he would be a cheap fix to what is already an elite defense.
Williamson is great against the run, but is mobile enough to cover tight ends and running backs in the open field as well. He is the missing piece the Rams have been looking for.
Consolation Prize: Denzel Perryman
Perryman would also be a solid signing if they aren't able to sign Williamson as a hard-hitting consolation prize who could make the Rams' rush defense even scarier than it already is. He would be a cheaper alternative if Williamson's asking price is too high.
3. Rams sign a G
Not the flashiest move in free agency, but potentially the most vital. The Rams should look to sign an interior lineman in the offseason.
It's clear that as Jared Goff's inconsistencies continue, the Rams are moving more toward a power running game, especially with Cam Akers blossoming at running back. The best way to supplement the run game is by strengthening the interior offensive line.
The Rams could go after All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff or two-time Super Bowl champion Joe Thuney. If either of these guys become available in free agency, the Rams would improve their offensive line tremendously by signing them.
With two of the best blocking wide receivers in the league (Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp) and a rock-solid offensive line, the Rams' running attack would be a serious problem.
Consolation Prizes: Lane Taylor, John Feliciano
Brandon Scherff may be hard to acquire given the Rams' cap troubles, so some cheaper alternatives like Lane Taylor from the Green Bay Packers or John Feliciano from the Buffalo Bills could also help the Rams elevate their run game. Feliciano ranked 38th in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus, while Lane Taylor has been a solid rotational piece for an incredible Green Bay offensive line.
Overall
The Rams are going to have to make a few moves in free agency and draft well if they want to take their team back to the Super Bowl. You know what you're going to get from Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. It's time to fix the other inconsistencies on their roster.
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