The “remodel” plan Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead laid out after the 2022 season has now led to a financially stable 2024 NFL offseason.
The team is entering the upcoming free agency cycle with more cushion in its salary cap. They’ve got approximately $39.9 in cap space to work with ahead of the start of the new league year on March 13, when teams can officially begin signing free agents.
That flexibility wouldn’t have been possible without the aforementioned “remodeling” that Snead informed the L.A. media of approximately a year ago at this time. With more financial wiggle room, let’s take a look at three Rams free agency predictions ahead of a critical time for a team fresh off a postseason return.
Los Angeles Rams Free Agency Predictions
As part of Snead’s plan to give the Rams more money to spend for the future, the team traded away prized Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey while also cutting top 2022 pass rusher Leonard Floyd prior to last season.
Those moves cleared up significant cap space in Los Angeles. With just under $40 million to now work with, the Rams can officially address the big voids that those departures created at CB and edge rusher, respectively.
Sign Brian Burns Without Surrendering Draft Capital
The Rams made the attempt to siphon Pro Bowl cat-quick EDGE Brian Burns away from the Carolina Panthers during the 2022 season, but a deal never materialized before the midseason trade deadline passed. Now, with Burns an unrestricted free agent, he’s free to sign elsewhere.
MORE: 2024 NFL Top 100 Free Agent Rankings
Burns is PFN’s No. 2 ranked pass rusher for the 2024 free agency period. While the Rams have two future building blocks in pivotal rookie finds Kobie Turner and Byron Young (who combined for 17 sacks last year), LA can still use a disruptive rusher opposite of the latter defender — plus one who can create more mismatches next to perennial Pro Bowler Aaron Donald.
Burns’ electric edge speed is perfect for the Rams’ pass-rush pursuits and could invoke memories of Von Miller when he was next to Donald.
Add Xavien Howard
The Rams got mixed results at corner post-Ramsey. And now, interception leader Ahkello Witherspoon is a free agent.
Meanwhile, despite earning praise from former defensive coordinator Raheem Morris for their competitiveness, 2022 draft picks Derion Kendrick and Decobie Durant delivered underwhelming sophomore seasons, combining for just one interception.
Xavien Howard may not be the young dominating CB he once was, especially after allowing 75+ yards on his side in three games last season. Yet, he’s a needed veteran presence for a unit that took a step back once Ramsey left.
Ramsey’s presence in 2022 also instilled confidence in Kendrick and Durant to immediately perform at a high level. Perhaps Ramsey, who expressed his admiration for Howard’s skills upon the latter’s recent release, can give an endorsement of Howard to his former team.
Re-Sign Kevin Dotson
A rather underrated Rams signing was adding Kevin Dotson via trade during training camp. Dotson ended up not only starting but establishing himself as one of the top pass blockers for a unit that improved in its protection of Matthew Stafford.
Interior offensive linemen aren’t often considered major money-makers in the free agency period. Additionally, most of the members of this upcoming free agent class aren’t necessarily considered first or second options for teams aiming to bolster their interior line play.
KEEP READING: NFL 2024 Salary Cap Boom Could Cause Key Shift in Offseason Strategies
Yet, Dotson is PFN’s No. 2 ranked free agent among the interior offensive line group. He may not command the kind of attention Robert Hunt is expected to have, but with the Rams moving swiftly to re-sign another late 2023 addition in Demarcus Robinson, perhaps their next swift move is locking in Dotson for a similar short-term deal — one that keeps the Rams’ recent OL momentum carries over into 2024.
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!