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Heading into the legal tampering period, the Los Angeles Rams had clear goals to upgrade their offensive line and receiving corps. While they have largely fell on their face on the latter, they have made significant progress on the former in locking up OT Andrew Whitworth:
Bengals OT Andrew Whitworth expected to sign with LA Rams.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
The most obvious news here is that the Rams just upgraded at the most important position along the OL: left tackle. Three years after being the #2 overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, it is almost certain that the Rams will be moving Greg Robinson inside to guard.
According to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, the terms of the deal are pretty staggering for a 35-year old lineman:
#Rams deal for Andrew Whitworth: 3 years, $36M w $15M guar, including $2.5M guar in Year 2. Deal pays more $13M in Year 1 and $24.5M over 2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2017
It’s a gamble for the Rams, but it’s one they had to take to protect last year’s #1 overall pick Jared Goff. Goff was straight up getting mauled at the end of the 2016 season and an OT the caliber of Whitworth will be a welcome sight for the young QB.
After accounting for the $13M cap hit in 2017, the Rams have roughly $6M in cap space remaining.
UPDATED (9:20 AM)
Told Greg Robinson is expected to move to the right side, either at tackle or guard, now that Andrew Whitworth is the LT.
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) March 9, 2017
Well that answers that. It’ll be worth monitoring OL snaps when OTAs roll around to say the least.