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In a shocker, former Rams free safety Rodney McLeod has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on a five-year, $37 million deal.
With holes already popping up due to cuts and departures elsewhere, here's how things look at free safety right now and moving forward.
Depth Chart
From a depth chart standpoint, the Rams have some options.
Mo Alexander stands as one possible replacement for McLeod. Alexander does not have the experience – he has mostly been a special teams player – but there are some bright spots. Our very own Tevin Broner had his scouting report on him back when the Rams drafted him in 2014. Alexander's under contract through 2017 on his initial four-year rookie deal.
Cody Davis might be the only other option and he's on an expiring contract.
Of course, there's the always popular-on-the-internet move of sliding a cornerback back to FS. Tons of speculation surrounded Lamarcus Joyner when he was coming out of college regarding the idea of moving to safety. Of course, the loss of Janoris Jenkins to the Giants thins the Rams out a bit at cornerback.
FA Options
There's talent available in the market in guys like Bengals S Reggie Nelson, Chargers S Eric Weddle and Browns S Tashaun Gipson. No rumors linking the Rams to any of those guys, but again, we're not even at the opening of free agency yet.
Draft Options
The needs are starting to pile up. Wide receiver, quarterback, defensive end, safety...it's very tough to project where the Rams are going to go early in this year's draft.
Could they spring early for a guy like Florida St.'s Jalen Ramsey or LSU's Jalen Mills? What about Day 2 guys in Darian Thompson (Boise St.), Sean Davis (Maryland) or T.J. Green (Clemson)? What about the aforementioned popular-on-the-internet option of moving a cornerback to safety? Could the draft be an option?