Where do the Rams still have needs after free agency?
While teams around the NFL will continue to add players from now until after the draft, what many would consider the free agency period is basically over. The Los Angeles Rams will now shift their focus to the draft and the 26th overall pick in the first round. Wide receiver Davante Adams was certainly the big free agent signing, but the Rams also brought in players that won’t force them to draft for need. They will have the benefit of drafting for best player available. With that said, this is a roster that does still have needs. Here are the top five needs for the Rams after free agency.
Cornerback
Despite signing Ahkello Witherspoon, the Rams still need to upgrade at cornerback. They can’t simply run it back with the same group and expect a different result. Last season, the Rams secondary allowed the fifth most EPA/pass last year. That was despite ranking top-10 in pressure rate. The other four teams in the bottom-five ranked inside bottom-five in pressure rate. The Rams secondary was helped by a pass rush and still struggled.
Unless the Rams address the cornerback position in the first round or at least by round three, it’s going to be hard to find a starting level player in this draft class. This was a position that the Rams needed to prioritize this offseason. They are returning last year’s starters which provides continuity, but they also needed to upgrade at those spots.
Linebacker
There was a lot of talk that the Rams could potentially sign a player like Jamien Sherwood or Dre Greenlaw in free agency. Instead, they followed their history at the position and didn’t invest resources at linebacker. They did next to nothing by signing Nate Landman. Landman brings good experience as a run-stopping linebacker. With that said, he seems more like an upgrade over Troy Reeder and a depth option than a starter.
We’ll see what the Rams do at the linebacker position in the draft. With that said, history suggests that they won’t invest in the position within the top-100. The Rams have some depth here with Landman and will likely double dip or try to find another undrafted free agent in April.
Receiving Tight End
Evan Engram would have been a perfect fit for the Rams offense and exactly what they need at tight end. Instead, the Rams stood pat and lost Hunter Long in the process. The Rams currently have Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Davis Allen at tight end. This is a spot where the offense could use more play-making ability. Higbee provided a spark in his return last year, but getting younger at the position and bringing in a player that can be a solid number two as a rookie should be a priority.
Up to this point, Parkinson has been a free agent bust and Allen hasn’t shown that he can be thrown into a full-time role. It would not be surprising if the Rams target a tight end like Colston Loveland in the first round or even someone later such as Mason Taylor, Elijah Arroyo, or Harold Fannin Jr.
Safety
It’s easy to look at the Rams safeties and come to the conclusion that there isn’t a need here. That may be the case, but at the same time, Chris Shula deployed many three and four safety packages on defense last season. Adding another player in the secondary who brings a physical element and is versatile could make a huge difference on this defense. Kam Kinchens showed some promise, but took some bad angles while Kam Curl started slowly in his first season with the team. Quentin Lake has played in the slot, but may be better in a two-high role while Jaylen McCollough is probably better as depth.
It may be a surprise if the Rams took a safety at 26. At the same time, if a player like Malaki Starks is available, it would be hard for them to pass on that opportunity. Again, the Rams secondary struggled at times last year and that includes the safeties.
Offensive Tackle
The Rams are pretty set when it comes to the starters at the tackle position. Behind them is where things begin to get dicey. The Rams don’t have a player behind Alaric Jackson at left tackle while Warren McClendon is still unproven on the right side. Jackson at least provides some future stability, but he has missed games each of the last three years. Last year he was suspended for the first two games of the season.
With no Joe Noteboom, the Rams don’t have depth at left tackle. Meanwhile, the Rams should start thinking about a potential heir to Rob Havenstein on the right side. Adding a player that gives them an option as a sixth man with the ability to also play guard in a pinch is a bonus.
