With Free Agency opening Monday, thought it might be a good time to see what everyone is hoping for or predicting that the Rams do this free agency period. We largely errored with last years class:

The Good:
QB Jimmy G - Served as our best back up in years. Only a 1 year deal, now a FA.
S Kam Curl - Pretty solid and still young. Still, likely had his worst season.

The BAD:
CB T.White (8.5m/1yr) - traded to Baltimore for peanuts
CB D.Williams CB (6m/2yr) - Had a pretty average year, not what we had hoped. Played in 12 games, 1 int, 7 PD
G Jonah Jackson - Disaster signing mostly due to injuries. Traded for a 6th round pick.
TE Parkinson - If you are not a Rams fan, you don't even know he was on our team. Had a career year.. with 30 receptions.

My Wishlist:
1. Chris Godwin - WR - Would immediately improve our WR room and give us a top 5 duo in the NFL. Coming off an injury and will not be cheap however (22m/yr)
2. Byron Murphy - CB - only 27 and had a really nice year, sadly likely getting a contract north of 20m/yr.
3. Elijah Moore - WR - Still only 24 and has yet to have a good QB. Showed a lot of promise and had a solid year. Could be steal(4.5m/yr)
4. Asante Samuel Jr - CB - I've been a big fan since his college days. Only 25. Expected to get around 11m/yr
5. DJ Reed - CB - Only 28 and had a good season. (14m/yr)
6. Dre Greenlaw - MLB - Will be hard to wash the stink off him, but, he is not expected to get a huge contract and very productive (6.7m/yr)

Others: WR Slayton, QB Z.Wilson, WR J.Palmer, OT D. Moore Jr (swing), DT Gaines, DT Sebass Joseph Day, MLB Willie Gay

Starts at the 1:05:50 mark. Last about 35 minutes. It’s fun to see McVay let his hair down and shoot the shit like this. Tells a great story about gauging Aaron Donald’s interest in a comeback after we beat Minnesota the first time on Monday Night Football.

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Absolutely fucking speechless

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FA
Draft
Trade

It's not a matter of if we do something at WR, it's HOW. It is a massive problem.

Even if Kupp were staying, it would be a problem. Without him, and factoring in Whittingtons injury history (and the fact that while he flashed, he hasn't "arrived" by any means), and Pukas penchant for getting banged up....it's downright terrifying.

Demarcus is fine depth, but preferably a 4th WR.

So by my estimation, we need two WRs who can actually contribute next season.

With Higgins franchised, the free agents aren't looking good. And any on the younger side are likely to be overpriced.

To make matters worse, there doesn't seem to be a great option there with our first round picks (as an Ohio St fan I want to stay away from Ebuka).

My opinions aside - if the question was how do we find two WRs who can contribute (one starter, one who may have to start in a pinch), how are you solving that problem?

Good riddance, IMO.

So many stupid penalties.

Gotta get rid of the knuckleheads. Zach Evans gone, now Tre Tomlinson gone. Just gotta release Derion Kendrick, and then the purge of knuckleheads shall be complete. IMO.

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Rams make surprising release of recent draft pick

The Rams released cornerback Tre’Vius Tomlinson, LaDainian’s nephew, only 2 years into his career

www.turfshowtimes.com

Figured I'd start a new injury thread. I don't think this has been created for 2025 yet.

Anyway, I can't believe this hadn't happened yet. I knew his knee injury was extremely severe but still would have thought this had happened already. Tough break for the kid.

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Houston Texans Receive Major Injury Update On Tank Dell

Houston Texans wideout Tank Dell has a long road ahead of him as he recovers from a gruesome knee injury. He is moving forward, though.

www.si.com

Idk if this needs its own thread but was a nice throwback story.

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Lab Mice that are Cuter than is Legal

Basically, the scientists isolated a genome in the woolly mammoth and tested it on a hundred mice. All of them gained a fluffy yellow coat and more fat reserves. Don't worry; thus far, the mice are perfectly healthy...and fucking adorable and cute!



Their next target? Elephants. But I want two female Colossal woolly mice, and I will care for them like a normal kind person would care for a puppy or a kitten.

Now that the QB and LT have been settled, the Rams finally complete the Cooper Kupp trade. Rams banners will be flown at half mast for the remainder of the month.
Rams receive one of the Bills 2nd round picks (2.30.62) and their 5th (5.223.171).
Bills get Kupp and a Rams 3rd (3.36.100).

The packers have grown tired of alexander missing too many games and release him.
Rams scoop him up and give him a prove it deal, adding a vet CB.

Those are the biggest splash moves the Rams make before the draft.

BB3 is priced out of LA leaving Gallimore to be offered a modest contract to stay. Atwell leaves but Robinson stays. Other players’ fates may be decided after the draft/during camp.

1.26.26 Mason Taylor (TE) LSU, 6-5/250
Skilled in all aspects, pro ready, and one of the faster TEs coming out. His pedigree should be a bonus as he learns the McVay system. Long is “long gone” and Parkinson would also be released if Taylor is drafted.

2.30.62. Anthony Belton (OT) NC St., 6-6/336
Big and physical. Likes to “finish blocks”. My favorite OT in the draft who will be drafted by the time the Rams pick in the 3rd—probably by the 9ers. He would be a perfect replacement for tw. Belton would instantly be the swing Tackle and start next season at either side. Rams would be set at the Tackle spots for at least 3 years.

3.26.90. Dorian Strong (CB) V.Tech, 6-1/185
The Rams get younger, faster, and bigger at the Corner. Solid collegiate career. Excellent skillset.

4.25.126. DJ Giddens (RB), K St., 6-1/212
The Rams grab a bigger back who was very productive in college and possesses a complete skillset. There are a lot of good RBs in this draft and Giddens could still be around here. He could handle the load if needed and would be a bigger target for Stafford in the passing game.

5.23.171. CJ West (NT) Indiana, 6-2/317
Very athletic for his size. Solid run stuffer and pass rusher. If he falls this far he will be the annual Snead day 3 steal.

6.14.192. Arian Smith (WR) UGA, 6-0/185
A burner. Big enough to line up anywhere, he gives the Rams a deep threat,

6.25.203. Shamari Simmons (S) Zona St., 6-0/185
Big time playmaker flying under the radar. The Rams are set to lose Curl and Lake after ‘25. Simmons is a baller.

6.26.204. Smael Mondon (ILB) UGA, 6-2/225
The Rams get a more athletic LB with speed. Productive with good numbers, he would be a welcome sight in camp.

The Rams always seem to make a mark in UDFAs so I want to list a few names they might want to take a look at, should these players go undrafted.

McTelvin Smith (CB) S.Ark., 6-1/185
More speed and size at Corner. Productive career at a small program.

Nick Martin (ILB) OK St., 6-0/220
A bit undersized, but has the LB instincts and was a tackling machine. STs at least.

Seth Henigan (QB) Memphis, 6-3/215
Wanted to fit in the QB from Indy but there wasn’t enough picks in my mock. The Rams will need to bring in an arm or two to camp. Henigan put up solid numbers over his collegiate career. I would like to see some competition for Bennett.

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Smith has called a lot more picks right than wrong these last few years. Believe he was really high on Kupp and Puka.

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This is what I did on Madden - Going through more important players - not listing everything.

Players from 2023-2024
Offense - Kupp traded, Tutu gone, Noteboom gone, some other random people I don't remember gone. Resigned Demarcus Robinson to a 1 year deal.
Defense - Bobby Brown III gone, Kendricks cut, Johnson III gone, Reeder gone Re-signed Witherspoon to a 2 year deal.

Free Agents Signed ( I bid for Chris Godwin - but wouldn't commit as much as a couple other teams did).

Chavarious Ward CB
Cam Robinson OT
Poona Ford DT
Charlie Jones PR/KR

Draft (significant picks) Focus: get a young offense to go with young defense)

1st round Emeka Ebuka WR
2nd round (traded up) Kaleb Johnson HB
3rd round picks were LB and OT

Trades

Traded 4th round pick for Germaine Pratt Bengals MLB (pre-draft)

Traded for David Njoku TE at trade deadline.

Re-signed Kyren Williams to an extension - but If I play beyond this year, will try and trade him.

FREE AGENCY

CAP CUTS
CB Darious Williams
TE Colby Parkinson
OG Jonah Jackson



RE-SIGN
CB Ahkello Witherspoon

SIGN
Zach Wilson, QB, Jets
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Sticking with this one as I still believe he's better than anyone the Rams could select in this draft class. This kid who is still just 25 years old came out as a junior and was immediately inserted as the Jets starting QB with no competition. He offers mobility and arm talent and methinks McVay to make this guy the next former Jet QB to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year (Geno Smith & Sam Darnold).

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Given the lackluster showing of the team's recent free agent signings and not knowing the contract details for Stafford and Jackson, the remainder of free agency should probably focus on bringing in some cheaper 2nd to 3rd wave of free agency help. Main target = A veteran LB.

TRADE
Rams trade WR Cooper Kupp to the Jacksonville Jaguars for their 5th round selection (#143). Rams eat the majority of his 2025 roster bonus. New GM Gladstone and HC Liam Cohen take advantage of Kupp’s know how in implementing his offense.

DRAFT DAY TRADE: Rams trade 1st (#26), 3rd (#90) & 6th (#192) round selections to Chiefs for their 1st (#31) & 3rd (#66) round selections. Chiefs move up for OT Aireontae Ersery or OT Josh Conerly Jr.

2025 NFL DRAFT
1-31. Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State 6’4”, 214 (proposed Chiefs trade)
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After a strong offseason process, the Rams replace Demarcus Robinson with a bigger, faster, more complete weapon at the X position with better hands and reunite him with his former college OC Nate Scheelhaase.

2.66. Jaylin Noel, WR/PR, Iowa State 5’10”, 194 (proposed Chiefs trade)
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Two years in a row, the Rams double dip a college. Voted the Senior Bowl WR practice player of the week (National squad), Noel could provide the team an explosive target that can separate in man coverage and win deep. Plus, he averaged over 15 yards per punt return.

3-100. Dorian Strong, CB, 6’1”, 185, Virginia Tech
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While he didn’t run the 4.3/40 he mentioned in one interview (4.5/40), Strong had a solid Senior Bowl and is capable of playing man and zone coverage. Also read somewhere QBs had a low passer rating against him.

4-126. Joshua Simon, TE, 6’4” 239, South Carolina
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Here’s a kid that made some money at the combine after leading South Carolina in receptions and receiving yards. Good speed. Willing Blocker. A potential matchup problem this team needs on offense.

5-143 Fadil Diggs, EDGE, Syracuse 6’4”, 257 (from Jaguars)
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Potential replacement for Hoecht. Diggs can line up all over the defensive front to rush the passer and would be far better in coverage. A team captain, Diggs lead his team with 14 TFLs and 7.5 sacks.

6-203. Nash Hutmacher, DT, Nebraska 6027,317
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High motor, tough guy for the interior. Former Rams DLineman believes that this kid is going to be one of the top 3 steals in the NFL Draft. A former #1 high school wrestler who made it to Collegiate Nationals, Hutmacher can now focus entirely on NFL football.

6-204. Gerald Christian-Lichtenhan, OT, Oregon State 6082, 328
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Man mountain with 35 7/8” arm measurement at East West Shrine Game said to be a good pass protector. Not sure why he didn’t get a combine invite.

Anyone have any thoughts on using Blake more this upcoming year at least as a 2 down back and specific on majority of running plays as his pass blocking has improved but hes not KW. He showed flashed and I think he could be used more to keep Kyren even fresher. Nothing like a 50/50 splt but at least 10-12 touches a game. He showed a lot of progression throughout the season and flashes of why the Rams drafted him.

It seems that most of us agree that the Rams need a speed option at RB. They just drafted Corum but Kyren’s on his last deal so it still makes sense to try to find one.

Is Donovan Edwards a fit as a late round pick? Hes had some long runs in college and ran pretty fast at the combine. 4.45. I always thought Edwards may run a bit too upright.

Hampton is my favorite. Traveyon Henderson could fit for some speed.

Are any of these guys good pass protectors?

This is one site


This guy also does a good job of tracking.


There's another guy on twitter trying to remember his name pretty sure he's a media guy in Houston.

Y'all got those Stafford and AJax post signing mock drafts?

I'm bored at the car dealership

I believe CB is the biggest position of need followed by WR and then MLBer.

Is it ever too early? Yes, but now is not that time.

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Oddly, this is bigger to me than Stafford.

LFG!!

Mod Edit:
AJ signs 3 yr Extension
35m guaranteed.

If the sky is clear after sunset you should be able to see seven planets.

One day Poll; Friday Feb-28-2025.

Get your vote in.

What does ROD think… 5 Days Later?

YES or NO?

Here is our Previous Poll Thread:


For more discussion on this topic, post here: