The Los Angeles Rams 2024 season went very similar to the one in 2023. With a young roster, the Rams once again overcame an early deficit to reach the postseason. Starting 1-4, the Rams climbed back to win the NFC West and then also win a playoff game.
However, with the window closing with Matthew Stafford as the quarterback, the Rams will be looking to capitalize on that window. By taking a reset year in 2023, they gave themselves the resources to push more chips into the middle of the table in 2024 and 2025. The question is now how the Rams spend those resources. As shown last offseason, even if you have a lot of cap space, you have to know how to spend it wisely.
The Rams do enter an exciting offseason. They once again will have a first-round pick and be looking to get over the hump. This is a team that came 14-yards away from hosting the NFC Championship game. They are right there with the top contenders in the NFC. Now, it’s about getting over the line to compete for another Lombardi Trophy.
Below, I’ll attempt to predict how the Rams will approach the next few months by laying out a full-scale mock offseason that includes potential extensions, free agency signings, and draft picks, all while keeping a running log of the team’s cap space.
Los Angeles Rams Salary Cap Room, before the NFL Combine: ~ –$35.7-million
Current Los Angeles Rams depth chart (practice squad and IR included)
Offense
QB – Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett
RB – Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers, Cody Schrader, Royce Freeman
WR – Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Whittington, Tutu Atwell, Tyler Johnson, Xavier Smith, Drake Stoops, Quintez Cephus
TE – Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, Hunter Long
RT – Rob Havenstein, Warren McClendon, Conor McDermott
LT – Alaric Jackson, Joe Noteboom, AJ Arcuri
RG – Kevin Dotson, KT Leveston, Dylan McMahon
LG – Steve Avila, Jonah Jackson
C – Beaux Limmer, Justin Dedich
Defense
DE – Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Desjuan Johnson, Larrell Murchison, Jack Heflin, David Olajiga, Kevin Strong
NT – Bobby Brown III, Tyler Davis, Neville Gallimore
EDGE – Jared Verse, Byron Young, Michael Hoecht, Brennan Jackson, Nick Hampton, Keir Thomas
ILB – Christian Rozeboom, Omar Speights, Troy Reeder, Jacob Hummel, Elias Neal, Tony Fields, Rashad Weaver
CB – Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, Ahkello Witherspoon, Emmanuel Forbes, Josh Wallace, Tre Tomlinson, Shaun Jolly, Cam Lampkin, Charles Woods, AJ Green
S – Quentin Lake, Kam Curl, Kam Kinchens, John Johnson III, Jaylen McCollough, Tanner Ingle
S – Special Teams
P – Ethan Evans
K – Joshua Karty
LS – Alex Ward
*Note: Italicized players indicate pending free agents
*Note: The offseason salary cap uses the team’s top 51 cap hits, which factors into how much cap room new contracts will take off the books. For example, if the Rams sign a player that has a $1 million cap hit, you subtract the 51st-highest cap hit (e.g. $500,000) from the $1 million, equaling an additional ~$500,000 on this year’s cap from the new contract. All contract information comes from Over The Cap and Spotrac. I will always take the lower project cap number for a more realistic and conservative approach.
Rams’ top needs: WR, CB, LB, OL, DL
Work the Cap
Trade WR Cooper Kupp
It’s going to be interesting to see what this looks like. Will this be another Les Snead trade special in which the Rams are only able to get this done with a future day three pick swap? On the other hand, will there be enough interest in Kupp to garner more trade value? At the end of the day, the Rams are going to have to take on some of Kupp’s contract. Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post has allegedly spoken to general managers saying that the Rams are willing to take on $5-million.
According to Spotrac, the Rams would save approximately $11.56-million in a Kupp trade. If they take on around $5-million, that drops that to $6.56-million. The Athletic recently proposed a trade to the Houston Texans in which the Rams get a 2025 fourth-round pick, wide receiver John Metchie III, and take on some of Kupp’s salary. This would save the Rams around $4.76-million.
Rams Receive: 2025 4th Round Pick + John Metchie
Texans Receive: Cooper Kupp
Extend QB Matthew Stafford
This is something that has to get done this offseason. It is an absolute must. Stafford won’t play on his current deal and it’s important for the Rams to lock down their starting quarterback for 2025 and 2026. The Rams re-did Stafford’s deal last offseason with the idea that they would take a fresh look in 2025. Well, 2025 has arrived.
It’s hard to know exactly what this contract looks like. A similar structure to the Baker Mayfield deal in Tampa Bay makes some sense. The Rams could sign Stafford to a two-year deal that locks him up through 2026 and then add a void year at the end of it. This could be a two-year, $90M contract with a $30-million cap-hit in year one and then a $45-million cap-hit in year two. Stafford would then have a void year in 2027 with the other $15-million in which the Rams currently have $295-million in cap space. Extending Stafford and lowering his 2025 cap-hit also saves the Rams $14-million.
Cut LG Jonah Jackson
It’s pretty clear that the signing of Jonah Jackson didn’t work. There’s a chance that the Rams could try to run it back this offseason and give it another shot. At the same time, they may be better off simply cutting their losses now. Spotrac has the Rams saving just $2.37-million with this move. Jackson is way too expensive at $14.6-million to keep as a backup. It’s not an easy decision, but may be the right decision.
Cut CB Darious Williams
Cobie Durant played well on the perimeter last year. Meanwhile, Darious Williams will be 32. Williams provided a good stop-gap for the Rams at cornerback last season and helped put a band-aid on the issue. They could hold on to him for one more year, but Williams’ 13.6 yards per reception was the tenth-most in the NFL.
Cut TE Colby Parkinson
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Rams move on from one of Colby Parkinson or Tyler Higbee. Higbee is 32, but when he came back at the end of last year, he had a huge impact on the offense. In just 57 routes last year, Higbee led tight ends in targets per route and second in yards per route. He also ranked 11 in receiving EPA per game. All of that is a good sign just coming off of an ACL tear. Parkinson did not have an impact last year and will save the Rams $2.2-million.
Running Cap Total: $71.65-million
Whether or not the Rams move on from Darious Williams, Jonah Jackson, and Colby Parkinson are likely up in the air. Still, it is possible and this should be a good number for the Rams to bring back some of their own free agents.
Stay or Go: Impending Los Angeles Rams Free Agents
*Note: Contract numbers are based on market values set by Pro Football Focus and Spotrac.
Place ERFA Tender on iOL Dylan McMahon
McMahon was a sixth-round pick by the Eagles last year and a player the Rams signed. It makes sense to keep him as depth.
ERFA Tender: $960,000
Sign Jake Hummel to the minimum
Placing an original round RFA tender on Jake Hummel would cost the Rams $3-million. It’s hard to see them spending that much on Hummel. However, they will likely want him back. He’s been key on special teams and provides depth at the linebacker position.
Contract: 1 year, $1.2-million
Sign OT Alaric Jackson
The Rams have a lot of needs this offseason and they can’t address them all in the draft. There aren’t great tackle options at 26. While it’s possible that the Rams could shift to Ronnie Stanley, they may want to stick with familiarity. If Jackson doesn’t break the bank, the Rams will have him back. If he wants upwards of $20-million, they may shift to a player like Stanley or the draft.
Contract: 3 years, $47.86-million
Estimated 2025 cap-hit: $8.99-million
Sign EDGE Michael Hoecht
It will be interesting to see if the Rams do bring back Hoecht at least for one more year. He showed value on the defense last season as a high-energy player and underrated leader. Hoecht is also a core special teams player, blocking multiple field goals during the season. Hoecht isn’t a player that’s going to break the bank. They can give him a slight raise and keep him for 2025.
Contract: 1 year, $3.5-million
Sign QB Jimmy Garoppolo
The Rams shouldn’t draft a quarterback for the sake of drafting a quarterback. Garoppolo is a fine backup option that can operate the offense. As Stafford gets older, there will be pressure to add a young quarterback not named Stetson Bennett. However, they need to be smart about it as well. This simply is not the year to do it. Justin Fields can’t play on time and isn’t accurate. Zach Wilson may be intriguing given his connection with Mike LaFleur. Still, it makes sense to bring Garoppolo back.
Contract: 1 year, $3.02-million
Sign WR Tyler Johnson
Bringing Johnson back as an experienced player for depth won’t hurt. In this scenario, the Rams did trade for John Metchie. However, having Johnson available as the fifth wide receiver with an option to draft a player or sign a top free agent is a good option.
Contract: 1 year, $1.2-million
Sign TE Hunter Long
After releasing Colby Parkinson, the Rams still need a blocking tight end. Keeping Higbee along with Davis Allen gives them some variety at the position. However, Higbee isn’t known for his blocking while that is an area where Allen continues to improve. Long was the fifth-best run-blocking tight end last season via PFF.
Contract: 1 year, $1.86-million
Sign DL Neville Gallimore
The Rams are going to need some defensive line depth this offseason. Keeping Gallimore is a big step to achieve that.
Contract: 1 year, $1.2-million
Move on From: Tutu Atwell, Joe Noteboom, Demarcus Robinson, Christian Rozeboom, Ahkello Witherspoon, Bobby Brown III, John Johnson III, Hunter Long, Conor McDermott, Larrell Murchison, Troy Reeder, and Ronnie Rivers
Some of these are very difficult decisions. The Rams may opt to bring back Ahkello Witherspoon, especially if the let Darious Williams walk. However, there will be some options in free agency. Bobby Brown III could have a market and may end up in Atlanta to re-unite with the Raheem Morris. It’s time to move on from Atwell, Noteboom, and Robinson
Draft pick allotment
Before the Los Angeles Rams dive headfirst into free agency, we need to account for how much their 2025 draft class and the signing bonuses for undrafted free agents will count against the cap. According to OverTheCap, the cap space needed for the draft class is just $2.63M.
Rams’ Salary Cap room before free agency: ~$49.72-million
Unrestricted free agency
*Begins March 12 at 4:00 p.m. ET
Sign WR Chris Godwin
Contract: 3 years, $67.59-million
Estimated 2025 cap-hit: $8.91-million
There is some risk when it comes to Chris Godwin coming off of a dislocated ankle and at 28-years old. At the same time, in Liam Coen’s offense which is similar to what the Rams run, Godwin was on pace to have a career year in 2024 before the injury. This also doesn’t eliminate the Rams drafting a wide receiver on day two. It seems unlikely that Tee Higgins becomes available and the next best option will be Godwin.
Sign CB Paulson Adebo
Contract: 2 years, $22.23-million
Estimated 2025 cap-hit: $5.95-million
Adebo is another player that made my 2021 Snead’s Snacks list at cornerback. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Saints try to bring him back. At the same time, they’ll have a lot to figure out from a cap perspective. He will be coming off of an injury, but is still young. In seven games last year, he had three interceptions and 10 pass breakups. Adebo is alignment versatile and can play both on the boundary and in the slot. He also isn’t afraid to come up and make a tackle.
Sign LB Jamien Sherwood
Contract: 2 years, $14.37-million
Estimated 2025 cap-hit: $2.8-million
It’s always difficult to know how the Rams are going to approach the linebacker position. There is a chance that they completely ignore it until the draft. It’s also possible that they find a cheap option in free agency that they can plug next to Omar Speights. Sherwood is a safety-converted inside linebacker and excels against the run. However, his former safety experience can be seen in coverage. The torn achilles in 2021 could be seen as a concern. However, he is younger than Dre Greenlaw and is two years removed from the injury. He also led the NFL in tackles last season. Again, the signing of Sherwood doesn’t limit the Rams from also selecting a linebacker later in the draft.
Sign OL Dillon Radunz
Contract: 2 years, $11-million
The Rams are going to need some quality depth along the offensive line. Moving on from Joe Noteboom is necessary, but they still need that sixth-man that can play multiple spots. Over the last four years with the Tennessee Titans, Radunz has experience at left tackle, left guard, right guard, and right tackle. If he works out, it could also be someone that takes over at right tackle once Rob Havenstein leaves.
Running Cap Total: $26.56-million
2025 NFL Draft
*Draft simulation completed using Mock Draft Database’s Mock Draft Simulator
Now that the Rams have taken care of some of their own and addressed a few needs in free agency, it’s time to look at the draft. The Rams will have a first-round pick and will be selecting 26th overall. At that spot, they’ll be looking to add a potential young, star player and then fill out the rest of the draft with potential starters and role players.
Rams’ top needs, post-free agency: WR, TE, DL, RB, OL, EDGE
The Pick at 39: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
TRADE: Rams receive Pick 39 and 72 via the Bears and trade back from 26
It’s very possible that Jahdae Barron goes higher and in the first round. However, Dane Brugler has him 40th on his big board and Barron could be the Cooper DeJean of this draft. This is simply a good football player, but because he’s seen as a nickel, he may fall.
A lot of fans want a linebacker, but a player like Barron would have a much larger impact on the Rams defense. The inability for the Rams to play nickel and instead operate in dime was a reason for the issues in the run game. Having that STAR player in the secondary will go a long way. Barron is a player that the Rams can build around in the secondary.
The Pick at 72: WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
Despite adding Chris Godwin at wide receiver in free agency and John Metchie in a trade, that wouldn’t limit the Rams from also drafting a wide receiver. Higgins is one of my favorite wide receivers in this draft class and would be a perfect fit in McVay’s offense. He’s been exactly what the Rams are missing at the wide receiver position. He’s a big body on the outside that can win deep and is a smooth route-runner. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Rams are all over Higgins.
The Pick at 90: OT Ozzy Trapillo
While I signed Dillon Radunz in free agency, he is likely more of a depth player on the interior at guard. The Rams still need a swing tackle player that they can potentially develop into an heir for Rob Havenstein. It makes sense to draft a similar player as Havenstein in Trapillo.
The Pick at 100: TE Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
The Rams could draft a tight end with one of their first two picks and nobody would be surprised. Players like Colston Loveland and Elijah Arroyo make a lot of sense. Ferguson’s receiving production is right up there among the best tight ends in the class. The Rams are in need of more play-making ability at the tight end position and Ferguson could end up being a great value.
The Pick at 126: LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
If the Rams end up drafting a linebacker, Jack Kiser is a perfect fit. He’s someone that can be a future leader of the defense. Ideally, the Rams are able to play Kiser along with Sherwood and Speights works in behind them and on special teams. Adding Kiser to the Rams linebacker room would be a nice upgrade.
The Pick at 127: NT CJ West, Indiana
TRADE: Rams receive 127 and WR John Metchie via the Texans and trade WR Cooper Kupp
It may be tempting for the Rams to spend along the defensive line in free agency. At the same time, this is a deep draft on the defensive line. There will be some options at nose tackle on day three. One of those players could be CJ West who would be a great fit on the Rams defense. West displays good lateral quickness and was one of the better run-stopping defensive linemen in college football.
The Pick at 192 – QB Kyle McCord, Syracuse
McCord is what the Rams wanted Stetson Bennett to be when they selected him three years ago. The Syracuse quarterback is a perfect fit in McVay’s offense and can be that long-term backup that they wanted in Bennett. It’s possible that he could even be a bridge to the next era if he ends up as a Kirk Cousins-lite. The Rams don’t need to force a quarterback early in the draft with Jaxson Dart. However, with other needs taken care of and McCord still available, this makes sense.
The Pick at 203: RB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
The Rams need to add an explosive running back to their offense and Tuten is exactly that. Some are going to want the Rams to select one earlier. However, with Kyren Williams as the lead back and the team just selecting Blake Corum in the third round last year, it would be admitting a mistake on Corum to take a running back early. Tuten has the breakaway speed that the Rams are missing at the position and is the change of pace player that the offense desperately needs.
The Pick at 204: DL Cam Jackson
Jackson is another big-bodied defensive lineman that the Rams could plug in the middle of their defensive line to eat space and disrupt the pocket. He is a high-motor athlete and despite being 6’6, 340-pounds, he has not problem chasing down ball carriers.
Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart Post-2025 NFL Draft
Offense
QB – Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, Kyle McCord, Stetson Bennett
RB – Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Cody Schrader, Royce Freeman, Bhayshul Tuten
WR – Puka Nacua, Chris Godwin, Jayden Higgins, Jordan Whittington, Tyler Johnson, John Metchie, Xavier Smith, Drake Stoops, Quintez Cephus
TE – Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, Terrance Ferguson, Hunter Long
RT – Rob Havenstein, Warren McClendon, Ozzy Trapillo
LT – Alaric Jackson, AJ Arcuri
RG – Kevin Dotson, Dillon Radunz, Dylan McMahon
LG – Steve Avila, KT Leveston
C – Beaux Limmer, Justin Dedich
Defense
DE – Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Desjuan Johnson, Jack Heflin, David Olajiga, Kevin Strong
NT – Tyler Davis, CJ West, Neville Gallimore, Cam Jackson
EDGE – Jared Verse, Byron Young, Michael Hoecht, Brennan Jackson, Nick Hampton, Keir Thomas
ILB – Jamien Sherwood, Jack Kiser, Omar Speights, Jacob Hummel, Elias Neal, Tony Fields, Rashad Weaver
CB – Paulson Adebo, Jahdae Barron, Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, Emmanuel Forbes, Josh Wallace, Tre Tomlinson, Shaun Jolly, Cam Lampkin, Charles Woods, AJ Green
S – Quentin Lake, Kam Curl, Kam Kinchens, John Johnson III, Jaylen McCollough, Tanner Ingle
S – Special Teams
P – Ethan Evans
K – Joshua Karty
LS – Alex Ward
This would give the Rams 78 players heading into training camp next year with the potential to add some undrafted free agents and make another late free agent signing or two.
Wrapping Up
Overall, the Rams would have to be pleased with this offseason. They get some more explosiveness on offense in Chris Godwin to pair with Nacua while adding quality to the receiver room in Jayden Higgins and John Metchie. Ferguson is a tight end that can develop into a solid receiving option and Tuten adds a change of pace at running back.
Defensively, the secondary gets the revamp that it’s needed since the team moved on from Jalen Ramsey. Barron has star potential and can be a player to build around on the backend. Adebo is coming off of an injury, but if he returns to full health, he’s a consistent presence on the boundary. Barron and Adebo allow Durant to play on the outside where he got comfortable last season.
At linebacker, Sherwood has been one of the better linebackers against the run and Jack Kiser is a good fit and a leader. Players like Radunz and Trapillo give the Rams some good offensive line depth.
While I have around $26-million left over, this is enough to mitigate some contract inaccuracies with the 2025 cap-hit projected by Spotrac. It would also give the Rams some cap space if they want to make an in-season signing or trade.
The question is whether or not this would be enough to get the Rams to make a Super Bowl push. That would still be very much up in the air. However, these types of moves would put the Rams in a good position to continue to be top contenders in the NFC in 2025.
