There’s No Easy Fix for Rams in 2020 Part 2

BY ADAM GREENE

We continue with our look in one what could be solvable for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020

THE SALARY CAP

The Rams are not in as dire a salary cap situation as people want to think. They have $24.734 available next season. The problem is, there’s no real way to move on from the big contracts they already have on the books. They’re under water on pretty much everyone and cornerback Jalen Ramsey needs to be signed long term.

Los Angeles does have some key free agents shaking loose that they’d probably like to keep at the right price. Linebacker Cory Littleton has earned a good payday, but luckily for the Rams, MLB is not an expensive position. Dante Fowler Jr. has probably played himself into a contract L.A. won’t be able to match after the best season of his life. If Snead can work some magic, this is the guy he needs to use the spellbook on.

Defensive tackle Michael Brockers has likely played his last down as a Ram barring a discounted contract. Center Austin Blythe has shown value, but ideally he’d be a reserve next season. Andrew Whitworth has expressed a desire to return and, presumably that would only be with the Rams, but he took a major step backwards this season. He won’t be worth the contract he’d previously signed and, frankly, if the Rams do bring him back, they should put him at right tackle.

Marqui Christian should be an easy and inexpensive re-sign, but Los Angeles is deep in the defensive backfield and his loss could be mitigated.

The only two free agents the Rams should count on keeping are Littleton and kicker Greg Zuerlein and neither guy will break the cap.

THE OL

Changes need to be made, obviously, but unlike past seasons, you can’t count on anything major happening to the roster. L.A. has a second, a third, three fourths, a sixth and a seventh in April 2020’s draft and, frankly, it would not be a mistake to use all of them on offensive linemen. Whatever “holes” the Rams have elsewhere, and there really aren’t many, that’s the biggest one. They have to find future starters and depth.

The Rams lost Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen for the season to injuries and they’ll be back. Whitworth, if he comes back is not an elite left tackle anymore. Rob Havenstein had an off year at right tackle. None of it was good. Barring a freak trade or vet signing a low deal with the team, these are the guys the Rams will have to build their line from in 2020. I would try Noteboom at left tackle, move Whitworth to right and put Havenstien at left guard. The Rams had a huge hole there after letting Roger Saffold go in free agency. And, not coincidentally, Saffold was once a right tackle as well. With those three in place, you pick your center and right guard from Allen, Blythe, Austin Corbett, David Edwards, Jamil Demby, Chandler Brewer and whoever you bring in on draft day. And, like I said, there needs to be multiple guys added. At the very least, use those second and third round picks on OL.

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