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Decisions: Rams; Free Agency And The Draft


March Madness is not related soley to basketball. NFL free agency will start as it should; before the draft. The Rams have crucial decisions to make. Free agency will affect those choices whether directly or indirectly. After the jump, I will present options based upon a scenario in which The Rams, make certain free agent signings.

Free Agency And The 6th Pick In The 1st Round

FA:

Sign:

RB Mike Tolbert
WR Robert Meachem
OLB Manny Lawson

Re: Three areas of need would be upgraded.

Run Defense: Lawson is adept in this area and has coverage skills. The former #1 pick for The 49er’s would help limit big gains by RB’s.

Running Game: Tolbert is a power back who is excellent in short yardage and the passing game.

Vertical Threat: Meachem has the speed to get pass coverage and open things up in the intermediate and short areas of the field.

Braylon Edwards can be brought in cheap if he checks out medically.

DRAFT:

What to do with the 6th pick of the first round. This would have a lot to do with what The Rams are able to accomplish in free agency. Another consideration is whether The Rams would be interested to trade down from six to acquire additional picks. Again; who they are able to get in FA will play a huge part in these decisions.


FA scenario:

The Rams sign: Tolbert, Meachem, Lawson, and Edwards. Lloyd leaves for N.E. Kalil, Claiborne, and Blackmon are off the board.

With the sixth pick The St. Louis Rams select Dontari Poe.

The Rams have added two WR's, an OLB, and a RB via free agency. They decided to keep the number six pick in round one to take an athletic DT to bolster an aging defensive line. This option allows The Rams to use the draft to address other areas of need.