The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 16th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s chat about the Los Angeles Rams.
Los Angeles Rams
Key acquisitions: WR Allen Robinson, LB Bobby Wagner, P Riley Dixon
Re-signed: OT Joseph Noteboom, C Brian Allen, WR Brandon Powell
Departures: OT Andrew Whitworth (retired), WR Robert Woods (Titans), P Johnny Hekker (Panthers), OLB Von Miller (Bills), CB Darious Williams (Jaguars), DT Sebastian Joseph-Day (Chargers), G Austin Corbett (Panthers), LB Troy Reeder (Chargers), LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Texans), TE Johnny Mundt (Vikings)
Remaining free agents: WR Odell Beckham Jr., RB Sony Michel
Analysis: The Los Angeles Rams are one of the most uniquely-run teams in the NFL. They do not give a damn about the draft and are always willing to go all in, and somehow have enough money to spend on star players…it’s baffling really. Their methodology finally worked in 2021, resulting in a Super Bowl victory. While many thought that was it, that they pushed all their chips to the center of the table and they won’t be able to contend…think again. Despite all the departures, they were able to bring in star-studded talent.
Their big move on offense was signing Pro Bowl wide receiver Allen Robinson to a three-year $46.5 million contract. This comes after a torn ACL to free agent Odell Beckham, and with Robert Woods coming off a torn ACL himself, the team needed a new WR2 to Cooper Kupp. It’s insane that they were able to add this caliber of player with this contract, I don’t know how the Rams do it. Robinson had a couple good years in Chicago, but was in a poorly-run organization and needed stability with a path to success, and L.A. has just that. To make room for Robinson, the team traded Woods to the Titans for a sixth-round pick. Probably could’ve gotten more, but Les Snead doesn’t care about the draft. I don’t expect OBJ to be signed by another team this offseason, so it’s likely he’ll be back with the Rams, but won’t be a factor til late in the season.
The big move on defense was signing former division rival linebacker Bobby Wagner to an insane five-year, $50 million contract. Released after 10 seasons, the former Seahawk is still playing at a high level at age 31, and will lead a superstar Rams defense with Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. The future hall of famer will have some young talent around him with Ernest Jones by his side.
With these two big moves came a lot of losses. Longtime Pro Bowl punter Johnny Hekker was released after 10 seasons, and midseason trade acquisition Von Miller signed with Buffalo. Starting cornerback Darious Williams signed with the Jaguars and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day signed with the Chargers and starting linebacker Troy Reeder, who was nontendered as a restricted free agent, also to the Chargers, so there goes three key starters they’ll need to replace. They also lost starting guard Austin Corbett to the Panthers, and running back Sony Michel is a free agent.
While the team lost a lot of guy, the Rams had to work to retain their own talent, re-signing guard/tackle Joseph Noteboom and center Brian Allen. Following the retirement of Andrew Whitworth, Noteboom is the likely heir at left tackle, and Allen will continue to be the starting center, the role he had in 2019 and 2021. I wanna give a quick career appreciation to Whitworth. Guy was a full-time starter for 16 years with the Bengals and Rams, and went out in the best way possible. He was named Walter Payton Man of the Year, and got a Super Bowl ring against his former team, I can’t think of a better way to retire from the game of football.
Conclusion: The Rams team building tactics go against what everyone else in the NFL does, but maybe it’s working, and team’s are starting to understand it. There was an insane amount of trades this offseason, and for big time players with big money tied to them. Teams are learning that going all in can work, and you just have to face the consequences later. The Rams are set up decently in 2022, add a little more depth with the eight picks you have starting in the third round and you’ll be set.
Football Nerds 