Lots of reasons for hope for quick reloading

[AvengerRam]

As we wind down a difficult season, here are some reasons to be optimistic about our ability to reload:

1. Draft Capital
Currently, the Rams hold the 39th and 71stselections in the draft. For perspective, the Rams’ earliest selection last year was pick 104, and had only one Top 75 pick the previous year. While the truly elite LTs and edge rushers may not be available to us (depending on depth of class, of course), those are great spots to look for high-end interior OL, RBs, TEs, DL and CBs. If we can upgrade two of those spots with quality rookies, that would be a great start.

2. Salary Cap Increase
There is talk of the salary cap going from its current level ($108M) to over $120M, in part due to the NFL Sunday Ticket deal with Google/YouTube TV. The Rams could use the money, and I think they are still a priority destination for FAs. Some guys on my radar: Yannick Ngakoue (EDGE, Colts), Jessie Bates (S, Bengals), Garrett Bradbury (C, Vikings) and Isaac Seumalo (OG, Eagles). It also could keep us in the conversation for Baker Mayfield, and get us back in, if all parties remain interested, on Odell Beckham.

3. Intriguing Players on the Roster
One silver lining of this year’s MASH unit has been the ability to see some young players in action. I see promise in several, including Cam Akers (coming on in recent weeks), AJ Jackson, Tutu Atwell, Michael Hoecht, Larrell Murchison, Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick and Russ Yeast. If nothing else, we’ll have some back-ups with real game experience, which is not a bad thing.

4. The Calvary’s Coming
We’ve lost some key players to injury, but the good news is that Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald and Allan Robinson are all going to be 100% long before training camp. Let’s hope they avoid injuries next year.

In the end, we can take solace in the fact that it can’t rain all the time, and while we’re counting Crows, let me just say that its been a long December, but there’s reason to believe, maybe this year (2023) will be better than the last.

 

[Ram_Rally]

1. Agree. Have we had a pick higher than 54 since like 2017? That will be a huge help. Also, I think this draft is deepest at the positions where we are most desperate (Edge, Running back--I don't like the offensive line group this year) and there are a few luxury players that I wouldn't mind (TE-- Michael Mayer, Darnell Washington). We should get an excellent player for cheap or a very good trade-down.

2. Yannick is at the top of my wishlist as well. A salary cap boost would be so helpful. I'll be honest and say that if the Rams pull a surprise and spend on Saquon, I won't be upset either.

3. I agree with all the names you have here. I'll add Rochell. Also, I think our offensive line has a lot more depth than we appreciate. It;s just that our depth and our depth's depth are all on IR. But I like AJ, Shelton, Bruss, Ancrhum, and even Brewer as potential starters or depth.

4. Absolutely.

 

[OldSchool]

With the already set (read not in stone) cap increase and our current carry over we're still over the projected cap next year. Yes there are always ways of kicking that can down the road we've been doing it for years. But can't count on the cap increase bringing us the ability to sign any big free agents. That will only come with kicking that can down the road again.

 

[Haden]

I think Allen Robinson is a bust. Hope I'm wrong, but I'd be glad to see him gone.

I think the current OL guys have proven that they would be great depth (Ty, Skura and Oday). Wouldn't mind seeing them all re-signed.

I think Brian Allen is too injury prone. Would concur that a new center is needed.

Would love to see a great Edge FA coming in as well.

I too concur that this team can quickly re-load for 2023.

 

[AvengerRam]

With the already set (read not in stone) cap increase and our current carry over we're still over the projected cap next year. Yes there are always ways of kicking that can down the road we've been doing it for years. But can't count on the cap increase bringing us the ability to sign any big free agents. That will only come with kicking that can down the road again.

With Stafford and Donald nearing the end, and McVay fighting off the broadcasting money trucks, I think the Rams will continue to “kick the can,” as you put it.

 

[Riverumbbq]

With Stafford and Donald nearing the end, and McVay fighting off the broadcasting money trucks, I think the Rams will continue to “kick the can,” as you put it.

That can is getting bigger than ever considering we have already pushed forward future debt with Donald, Floyd, Havenstein, Higbee, A'Shawn Robinson & Allen Robinson.

 

[Merlin]

For teams like the Rams seeing the cap rise significantly almost works like a cheat code. If they can pull off a quick reload it's gonna be beautiful to hear the wailing and gnashing of teeth of fan bases like Arizona. Cue the sweet music of their sorrow.

 

[Ram Ts]

I believe

 

[Allen2McVay]

For teams like the Rams seeing the cap rise significantly almost works like a cheat code.

2022 salary cap is $208.2M

Early projections have the 2023 cap at $220M.

That's just a shade over 5%. That's not significant. Hopefully, it will he higher.

 

[FrantikRam]

Oh we'll be just fine. Agreed with the OP.

First of all, just health, motivation and a 3rd/4th place schedule will make this an 11 win team next year.

Add any potential upgrades - whether that's via draft or FA - and we're division champs at 13-4 next year.

 

[PhillyRam]

The league is very mediocre right now with maybe 5 or 6 good teams. Saw the power rankings this week and the Giants were 10th I believe. There are like a dozen or more teams with 6-8 wins.

So in other words bouncing back to being top 8 or 10 team won't take much more than just being healthy and some staffing tweaks.

Add in some more talent along with our young guys stepping up, then add some scheme improvements, and they should contend again next year.

 

[I like Rams]

Lol no way OBJ plays with Mayfield again. I agree with the rest of your opinions, but if I had to pick bw OBJ and Mayfield, I'm picking Mayfield

 

[CGI_Ram]

The league is very mediocre right now with maybe 5 or 6 good teams. Saw the power rankings this week and the Giants were 10th I believe. There are like a dozen or more teams with 6-8 wins.

So in other words bouncing back to being top 8 or 10 team won't take much more than just being healthy and some staffing tweaks.

Add in some more talent along with our young guys stepping up, then add some scheme improvements, and they should contend again next year.

This is the way I see it.

Retool and get healthy because the difference between winning and losing in the NFL is a tiny wedge.

 

[AvengerRam]

Lol no way OBJ plays with Mayfield again. I agree with the rest of your opinions, but if I had to pick bw OBJ and Mayfield, I'm picking Mayfield

I agree that we won’t likely end up with both. If Baker signs elsewhere, though, I could see us re-engage with OBJ (and maybe trade Allen Robinson).

 

[Rams8821]

Lol no way OBJ plays with Mayfield again. I agree with the rest of your opinions, but if I had to pick bw OBJ and Mayfield, I'm picking Mayfield

No way, ill take OBJ all day, assuming Stafford is good to go, which I believe he will be.

 

[I like Rams]

No way, ill take OBJ all day, assuming Stafford is good to go, which I believe he will be.

I can see why, but I think qb is a bigger need for the future personally. McVay has invested alot in recievers, and can find good reciever quite often, not so much back up qb.

 

[Haden]

I agree that we won’t likely end up with both. If Baker signs elsewhere, though, I could see us re-engage with OBJ (and maybe trade Allen Robinson).

I'd be all for that.

 

[So Ram]

This is the way I see it.

Retool and get healthy because the difference between winning and losing in the NFL is a tiny wedge.

Oh yeah- That is why The Sean Mcvay Project has been so successful. I’d say it’s a tight fit,but The Rams lost by not addressing the Center/Guard spot in 2021. In the long run they might have drafted a solid player. Plugging in those spots are HUGE.

I like to go to training camp.I told Kevin Demoff & Snead they needed an extra TE & that was going into 2018 Higbees 3rd season & Everetts 2nd.Everett was hurt his 2nd straight camp.
—Higbee use to drop a lot of passes,but always laid out for them.
- - that was my view of The Rams not having depth at TE & are you willing to let Higbee walk or spend of him. I was wrong there,but you need that depth.
My point though is still the same MORE now than then.
The Rams have NO DEPTH at TE!! Both players are going into contract years.The Rams have(had) a TE’s coach who(is) was a TE coach at Washington & look better in those sets.

 

[dieterbrock]

I can see why, but I think qb is a bigger need for the future personally. McVay has invested alot in recievers, and can find good reciever quite often, not so much back up qb.

Fortunately the Rams are invested in a top 5-7 QB for the next 5 seasons. QB? We're covered
Back up QB? Wait and see the contract Baker gets, will be a nice pay day. You know who will pay most attention to that? The rest of the available QB's who see the Rams as a great place to resurrect their career
Rams should be putting all their available chips towards o-line, tight end and RB and run the 12 full throttle next year

 

[So Ram]

I don’t know ?? The Rams went DB’s in 2022.IMO The Rams needed to sign a FA Guard & not draft Bruss.

—I am hard on Logan Bruss like Tutu Atwell was chastised,so should Bruss be as well. Tutu Atwell had 25 catches in preseason & the coaching staff should have ever had him returning punts. Who thought Powell would be such a Big Part of Winning The Superbowl? Talk about a tiny wedge.

Point being The Rams need to make the right decision on player personnel.Nit having the luxury of draft picks or Cap Space it makes it hard to eat cap on mistakes.

They salary cap is a funny thing. Having control & cutting(player) bait is tough.