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Normally when this time of year rolls around for Los Angeles Rams fans, we’re knee deep into offseason predictions and draft talk. While we’re all stoked for Super Bowl Sunday this weekend, the NFL calendar doesn’t stop simply because our team is playing in the big ‘un.
The ‘legal tampering’ period starts in about six weeks and you better believe that the Rams scouting department is busy evaluating all of the free agents. Since we’re not scouts, we usually rely on lists like this from Pro Football Focus.
PFF’s list is friendly to the Rams in more than one way. While there are four current Rams on the list (Lamarcus Joyner, Ndamukong Suh, and Rodger Saffold, and Dante Fowler Jr.), I don’t get the feeling that many fans are sweating that situation. I don’t think a lot of folks expect the Rams to pay a premium for Joyner, Suh was always looked at as a rental, and Saffold has hinted that a hometown discount is on the table. Fowler has made a case to stick around, but his market will be unpredictable so he’s the only real wild card here.
On the other side of the coin, there is a lot of help to be found for the Rams if they choose to investigate the free agency market next month. It’s no secret that EDGE was the Rams biggest weakness this season, and six of the top ten players listed at PFF are edge rushers - with five more rounding out the list.
Worried about linebackers or expecting to have to replace Mark Barron? No worries there either, as there is a lot of intriguing talent at that position as well. Jordan Hicks, CJ Mosely, Anthony Barr, and KJ Wright could be looked at in depth by Wade Phillips and the Rams.
Given, many of these players will end up sticking with their current teams, but with players clearly wanting to come and play for Sean McVay in Los Angeles..... there are a lot of intriguing possibilites out there.