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Evan Silva forsees the Rams being heavy players in this years free agent market. In Silva's most recent installment of his "Top 100 Free Agent Forecast", he predicts that the Rams land a TE, DT, OLB, and DE.
Philip Wheeler is a do-it-all 4-3 linebacker. If the Rams could land Wheeler, their front seven would be nearly complete. Silva's salary forecast for Wheeler is five years, $17.5 million. Wheeler is 28 years old.
Looking to add depth and fill William Hayes role on the team, Silva forecasts DE Matt Shaughnessy landing with the Rams. The last time Shaughnessy succeeded was two years ago under current Rams defensive line coach Mike Waufle. A reunion could be in order. According to Silva, a one year deal for $1.5 million could be all it takes.
Dustin Keller has been linked to the Rams all off-season due to the Schottenheimer connection. In Silva's words, Keller is "more of a true seam stretcher than Martellus Bennett but much less of a blocker." Keller is 29 years old and some around here have even compared him to Lance Kendricks. Silva foresees Keller landing a contract in the 4 year $22 million range.
After cutting Quintin Mikell, there are now two holes in the Rams secondary. Signing former Detroit Lions safety Louis Delmas would fill one of those voids. Delmas is a young man, turning 26 in April. He also has a connection to new Rams defensive coordinator, Tim Walton. Three years, $12 million is what Silva forecasts the Rams pay.
#Rams now have need at both safety spots. It would be surprising if they were not in on Louis Delmas. Just hired his old DBs coach as DC.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) March 11, 2013
The Rams made a push for Jason Jones last season but lost the 276 pound defensive tackle to the Seattle Seahawks. Jones would help solidify the Rams defensive line. Jones can be moved all along the defensive line. His estimated price is three years, $15 million.
Silva offered likely destinations for other players the Rams have reported interest in. Silva predicts that Dashon Goldson lands in Philadelphia, Sebastion Vollmer in New England, Andre Smith in Cincinnati, Jake Long in Miami, Andy Levitre in Tennessee, Greg Jennings in Minnesota, Phil Loadholt in Minnesota, and Martellus Bennett in New York.