After losing to the Lions in the wild-card stage of the playoffs, the Rams are now more focused on the 2024 campaign and the players they might sign to bolster their roster.
This offseason, should Los Angeles sign a previous first-round pick? So says Pro Football Focus.
The Rams “should pursue” LB Jadeveon Clowney, an upcoming free agency and the first overall choice of the 2014 NFL Draft, according to PFF.
“Clowney has spent consecutive seasons in the same city just once since leaving the Houston Texans before the 2019 campaign,” PFF’s Gordon McGuinness writes. “A stint with a Rams team that was better than many expected in 2023 would seem like a good fit.”
Despite being on four different teams in the previous five years, Clowney is perhaps having his greatest season yet with the Ravens. In 2023, he recorded 43 stops, 9.5 sacks, two caused fumbles, and five passes defensed.
The 30-year-old has never performed up to the level expected of the first overall choice. However, after contributing significantly to Baltimore’s defense, which gave up the fewest points per game (16.5) in the league, he might well land his biggest contract to date. If he also helps his team win a Super Bowl, that number will only rise.
If he does assist the Ravens win a Vince Lombardi Trophy before the end of the season, some would argue that they should bring him back in 2024. However, after awarding QB Lamar Jackson a five-year, $260 million contract last offseason, funds will be much more scarce.
Los Angeles makes a lot of sense as the veteran’s sixth franchise since joining the NFL because of this. In 2023, the Rams’ pass rush was lacking, with rookie DT Kobie Turner (nine) of the third round leading the charge.
As Los Angeles continues to assemble its team in the hopes of being in the game this time next year, adding Clowney would immediately improve the defensive line.