Goals
Vet CB1 to handle top WRs and anchor the CB room.
Acquire a WR3 – preferably an explosive, deep threat WR 3.
Improve the DL – continue to focus on building a dominant front 7.
Improve ST
Cut
CB Darious Williams
Re-sign
QB Jimmy G – 1 year
LS Jake McQuaide
OL Justin Dedick (ERFA)
WR Xavier Smith (ERFA)
K Harrison Mevis (ERFA)
Note: With one expensive safety in Lake, we reluctantly let Curl walk. Also, we essentially choose between resigning Curl and signing Shaheed (see below). I go with Shaheed in keeping with their plan to pay vets for offense and draft youth for defense.
The QB situation remains status quo.
Free Agency
Jamel Dean, CB Bucs (Or Jaylen Watson CB Chiefs)
Rashid Shaheed WR Seahawks (stealing from Memphis)
Note: Jamel Dean has consistently graded out as a top 5 zone CB and would fit perfectly in Shula’s scheme. He’s also a good run defender and a clear upgrade to everyone in our CB room this year.
Shaheed would be a great deep threat and an instant jolt as a returner. He also makes drafting a WR less of an acute need.
Extensions
WR Puka Nacua
DT Kobie Turner
OT Warren McClendon
OG Steve Avila
Trades:
Rams trade Byron Young to Chicago for a 2026 3rd (#89) and a 2027 2nd round pick.
(Note 1: they also consider trading Young to KC in a straight swap for Trent McDuffie.)
Note 2: With Young coming up on his last year of his rookie season, they trade him early for more than they would get from a comp pick if they let him walk and they reallocate the money saved from not extending into the secondary (Dean signing).
Further, Stewart is ready to start. Young took a sizeable jump in pass rushing prowess from year 1 to year 2 and from year 2 to year 3. However, Per ESPN and PFF’s advanced metrics – PRWR, Win %, etc. – Stewart’s rookie pass rushing numbers are equal to Young’s 2nd season and solidly superior to Young’s rookie season. If we project improvement in Stewart’s 2nd season, it could match Young’s production this year.
Rams trade pick 13 to the Vikings for #18, #161, and a 2027 2nd.
The Vikings are looking for playmakers on offense and target Love or Lemon.
The Rams are trading back because this pick is house money and therefore will be used 1) to select a successor to Stafford, or 2) to acquire future draft capital for the same goal. Combining this trade with Young trade, they now have three 2nd round picks in 2027, which will help if they need to aggressively move up for a successor to Stafford. With this approach, they still go all in for this year while setting themselves up to pursue a QB in the future.
NFL Draft
Round 1 Pick #18 - Kendrick Faulk, DL Auburn
Round 1 Pick #29 - Colton Hood CB Tennessee
Round 2 Pick #61 - Derrick Moore EDGE Michigan
Round 3 Pick #89 (from Chicago for Young) - Zakee Wheatley S Penn State
Round 3 Pick #93 - Jake Slaughter IOL Florida
Round 5 Pick #161 (from Minnesota) - JC Davis OT Illinois
Round 5 Pick #167 - Eric Rivers WR Georgia Tech
Round 6 Pick #205 – Miles Kitselman TE Tennessee
Round 6 Pick #208 - DJ Harvey CB USC
Round 7 Pick #232 - Charles Jagusah IOL Notre Dame
Round 7 Pick #250 - Dijon Johnson CB Florida
Round 7 Pick #256 – Tony Rojas LB Penn State
Analysis:
With Kendrick Faulk, we get a great run defender and an alignment versatile player who can play anywhere from 3T to standing upon the edge. Has double digit sack potential with a little refinement. He’ll be the 5T, giving us three strong run defenders on the DL. On pass rushing downs, he, Turner, and Fiske will provide plenty of juice.
Colton Hood CB Tennessee – Physical, strong in man-to-man coverage, but also excels in zone. Inconsistent in run support.
Derrick Moore gives us raw power and lightning quickness off the edge, a relentless motor. He needs technical refinement. Between he and Stewart, I expect a pass rush just as good, if not better, than this year, despite trading BY.
Zakee Wheatley is physical, has blazing speed, is a versatile DB who can play strong or free, can match up with tight ends and slot receivers.
Jake Slaughter is a high floor center who should anchor the position for a decade. Strong pass protector, intelligent. He could push Shelton for the starting center position out the gate. Or he takes over next year since Coleman is a free agent after this season.
JC Davis OT Illinois - Developmental tackle with starting potential. Exceptional pass blocking skills. Can play both sides. He’ll be the swing tackle immediately while he acclimates to the pro game.
Rivers is a speedy, effort-driven receiver who fits best as a third or fourth option in an offense that wants to push the ball vertically and use motion to get him the ball in space. He and Shaheed would add a speed element to the offense and return game. Turn a weakness into a strength.
Charles Jagusah, IOL gives starter upside with a couple of years of development. We prepare now for the possibility that we’ll only resign one of Avila or Dotson next year.
Miles Kitselman is a reliable, In-line blocking TE. Could eventually be TE2 if Parkinson and Davis move on after the season.
DJ Harvey has exceptional ball skills and instincts. Excels in zone coverage, which is a scheme fit. His issue is size limitations, but he’s a gamer.
Tony Rojas LB Penn State – Coverage LB, can blitz, will contribute on special teams.
Starters
QB: Matthew Stafford
HB: Kyren Williams / Corum
WR: Puka Nacua
WR: Davante Adams
WR: Rashid Rasheed
TE: Terrance Ferguson / Parkinson
LT: Alaric Jackson
LG: Steve Avila
C: Coleman Shelton / Jake Slaughter
RG: Kevin Dotson
RT: Warren McClendon
EDGE: Stewart / Moore
DE: Kendrick Faulk / Braden Fiske
NT: Poona Ford
DE: Kobie Turner
EDGE: Jared Verse
ILB: Nate Landman
ILB: Speights
CB: Jamel Dean
CB: Colton Hood / Emmanuel Forbes
SLCB: Quentin Lake
FS: Kamren Kinchens
SS: Zakee Wheatley
K: Harrison Mevis
P: Ethan Evans
LS: Jake McQuaide
RS: Rashid Rasheed / Eric Rivers
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