Which free agents in 2024 do the Rams want to sign against?
This season, the Los Angeles Rams ought to have plenty of cap space. They should have little trouble signing a player or two from the outside pool, but they also have 24 free agents of their own to manage and determine whether to bring back. The Rams’ roster of pending free agents is listed here, along with an analysis on whether or not to bring each one back.
UFAs, or unrestricted free agents
When a player’s contract ends and they have four or more seasons accumulated, they become unrestricted free agents and can sign with any team when the new league year starts.
Carson Wentz, quarterback
This offseason, a number of quarterbacks, including Drew Lock, Sam Darnold, and Gardner Minshew, will be available as free agents. Not included in that is a potent class of rookie quarterbacks. The Rams could definitely choose a quarterback if that was their desire.
Everything is contingent upon the Rams’ goals for the position. Do they want to get ready for life after Matthew Stafford, or are they just looking for a reliable, experienced quarterback in case Stafford gets hurt? They might hold off on pursuing a rookie quarterback for a year or two following what happened with Stetson Bennett. The Rams will make an effort to get Wentz back after his strong performance against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
Verdict: Re-Sign
WR Demarcus Robinson
This season, Robinson was a welcome surprise. Although his season didn’t start until midway through, Robinson is a player that made an impression at training camp. There was no denying the bond between him and Stafford once he began to post numbers. In the red zone, he provided the Rams with both speed and size.
Robinson was acquired by the Rams at a cheap price the previous season because no one else shown interest. This year, that most likely won’t happen once more. Robinson might be allowed to test the market by the Rams to determine his worth to other teams. Having said that, the Rams might find that the price is too high and be forced to let Robinson depart.
Verdict: Doesn’t Re-Sign
CB Ahkello Withspoon
There is likely going to be a split on whether or not the Rams should bring back Ahkello Withspoon. In one sense, he had a great first half of the season and ended up leading the Rams in interceptions. However, he tailed off towards the end of the year giving up several big plays.
Withspoon allowed the ninth-most yards per reception at the end of the season. Even though he finished eighth in pass breakups and had 13 forced incompletions, which placed him just outside the top 10, the value might not be there this summer. For the $1.08 million, one-year contract Witherspoon was receiving from the Rams, he was excellent. If his asking price rises to $8 million to $12 million, that’s a different discussion.
Conclusion: Does Not Resign
RG Kevin Dotson,
This offseason, the Rams will use every effort to re-sign Kevin Dotson. Dotson performed at a level close to that of an all-pro after being acquired before to the season. He was the second-best guard overall and the guard with the greatest run-blocking grade. His 20 pressures were the sixth fewest, while his pass-blocking effectiveness put him in the top 20.
This is going to be one that the Rams are going to pay close attention to once the free agency market open. They likely won’t re-sign him before then. If Dotson’s value is in the $12M-$14M range, that’s a number that Snead and co. will be glad to pay. However, if his value is closer to the $15-$17M range, they may be more hesitant to match that number.
Verdict: Re-Sign
iOL Coleman Shelton,
Even if the Rams need to improve at center, Coleman Shelton’s return is a possibility. Brian Allen or Shelton can both go on from Los Angeles. It would be challenging to let go of both. Shelton at least gives the Rams strong depth at both center and right guard, even if he doesn’t start for them in 2024.
But the Rams might deliberately choose to start over at center instead of bringing back Austin Blythe in this instance. Shelton should be able to return on a cheap contract, but at that point, would it be preferable to start Steve Avila at center or a rookie?
Verdict: Doesn’t Re-Sign
TE Brycen Hopkins
The relationship between Brycen Hopkins and the Rams hasn’t worked out for whatever reason. Hopkins made plays whenever his name was called. That was especially noteworthy during the Rams’ absence from Tyler Higbee in the Super Bowl.
It seems improbable that the Rams bring him back, whether it be for other reasons or because he never matured as a blocker. After recovering from injuries that ended their seasons, Hunter Long and Higbee will be a loss for Los Angeles at tight end. To replace them, though, the Rams will either draft or use the free agency market. Hopkins’ return would come as a shock.
Verdict: Doesn’t Re-Sign
S Jordan Fuller
The Rams might think about getting Jordan Fuller back if they can do so at a reasonable cost. Having said that, this is a team that doesn’t value safety. They have let safeties like John Johnson III, Nick Scott, and Taylor Rapp to leave in free agency over the last few years. Quentin Lake is doing well, and they may want to draft another one.
An issue with Fuller, especially over the last three years has been injuries. He missed most of last season and hasn’t been available for the playoffs since 2020. Fuller is a talented player and is a captain on the backend of that secondary. At the same time, the Rams look to be re-building the secondary and Fuller may not be part of those future plans.
Verdict: Doesn’t Re-Sign
OL Tremayne Anchrum
Tremayne Anchrum has been developed by the Rams for the most of the past four years. He was among the top offensive linemen in the preseason and had a strong performance in Week 18 against the 49ers, so it appeared that his efforts had paid off. Ancrhum offers decent depth, at the absolute least. Anchrum might no longer be a good fit if the Rams are switching to a bigger, stronger offensive lineman.
Verdict: Doesn’t Re-Sign
Others Worth Mentioning
- DL Larrell Murchison
- LB Troy Reeder
- S John Johnson
- CB Duke Shelley
- LS Carson Tinker
- K Brett Maher
- RB Royce Freeman
- WR Tyler Johnson
These guys were depth additions when they were brought in. This season, Johnson gave a youthful secondary depth, but his covering skills were lacking. In addition to Shelley, Murchison and Reeder offered the Rams reasonably priced depth when they were needed. But the Rams can select any of these players in the draft; they are all replacement caliber players.
Verdict: Don’t Re-Sign
Restricted Free Agents (RFA)
A player becomes a restricted free agent when their contract expires after exactly three accrued seasons. With undrafted free agents (UDFAs) signing three-year contracts when they come into the league, if they make the roster their first season and continue under that contract they typically end up as restricted free agents. Players must be tendered by the beginning of the new league year and their salaries are based on the type of tender offered which increases in amount every season. The type of tender offered to the player also determines the compensation to the team should the player sign somewhere else.
OL Alaric Jackson
The Rams will almost definitely bring back Alaric Jackson. Even if they put a first-round tender on Jackson, they would only be paying him $6.5M next year. They may even be able to get away with a second-round tender at $4.6M.
Jackson at the very least provides good depth and may end up as the starter in 2024 at left tackle. The former undrafated free agent finished the year strong and is a solid piece on the offensive line.
Verdict: Re-Sign
DL Jonah Williams
Seeing what the Rams do with Jonah Williams will be interesting to watch. As the first lineman on the defensive line, he is a reliable rotating element and a strong player in the run game. But would the Rams be willing to pay the $2.8 million that comes with the right of first refusal tender to sign him? In addition, the Rams have hired a new defensive line coach who might be partial to his own players.
Verdict: Don’t Re-Sign
LB Christian Rozeboom
Like with Williams, would the Rams be willing to shell out the $2.8 million for Rozeboom’s tender for the right of first refusal? At the absolute least, Rozeboom is a high-effort player on defense and adds some value on special teams. Although he isn’t the ideal starting wide receiver, he can provide depth and rotation in a linebacker room. Next year, Rozeboom ought to return in some way. Rozeboom provides defensive experience, but the Rams may eventually choose a linebacker.
Verdict: Re-Sign
EDGE Michael Hoecht
The Rams undoubtedly want Hoecht back, even though some fans might not. Hoecht had a rough start at EDGE, but as he settled into his new role, he had a solid season finale. Hoecht isn’t a player you want on the edge, but he can be useful in a rotation in a role similar to Morgan Fox’s. In the run game, he also provides them with some size on the edge.
Although Ochaun Mathis and Nick Hampton are players the Rams have, they are still developing and should be given more time. You shouldn’t be shocked if the Rams tender Hoecht and at least include him in the rotation the following season because he is a restricted free agent.
Verdict: Re-Sign
Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA)
An NFL player whose contract expired and has less than three accrued seasons is an exclusive rights free agent. The team the player was on the previous season has the opportunity to offer the player a one-year contract for the league minimum for their credited seasons. The player cannot sign with another team unless they are not offered the ERFA tender.
WR Austin Trammell
It’s somewhat rare for exclusive right free agents to not be brought back. The Rams can bring Trammell back at the league minimum to compete for a spot on the roster next season.
Verdict: Re-Sign
RB Ronnie Rivers
Ronnie Rivers is favored by the Rams. He gives the running back room more experience, even if he returns as the third running back the following season. They will almost definitely have him back for the league minimum.
Conclusion: Resign