Five Biggest Free Agency Moves: Los Angeles Rams
With free agency now into its fifth week as April’s Draft draws closer, it’s time to start reviewing which teams filled some needs and who got weaker. Here are the five biggest free agency moves for each team so far.
The Rams flamed out in their return to Los Angeles with a disappointing 4–12 season. This ended the Jeff Fischer era, and former Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay was brought in to develop quarterback Jared Goff after the Rams gave up the farm to draft the California product first overall last year. Without a first rounder this year, the Rams had to be active in free agency. Here are the Rams’ five biggest free agency moves:
1 — Signing Andrew Whitworth
The Rams needed to upgrade the offensive line to help both Goff and running back Todd Gurley reach their full potential in McVay’s offense. So they signed veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth to a three year, $36 million deal to protect Goff’s blind-side. Whitworth may be 35, but he continued to play at a Pro Bowl level for the Bengals last season and hasn’t missed a game since 2013.
2 — Franchising Trumaine Johnson
The Rams signed Wade Phillips as their new defensive coordinator, and he inherits a talented unit. Trumaine Johnson is Los Angeles’ top cornerback and was hit with the franchise tag for the second year in a row. The sixth year player will make $16.8 million this season, which is a lot for a corner who isn’t a premier league talent. Johnson will be the NFL’s highest paid corner despite having just one interception last season. Rumours are rife that the Rams would be willing to trade Johnson for the right price, which indicates that they don’t view him as a long-term solution.
3 — Reshuffling at defensive end
With the Rams shifting to a 3–4 base defense under Wade Phillips, there were bound to be some players who didn’t fit. The Rams traded defensive end William Hayes and a 7th round pick to Miami in exchange to a 6th rounder. Hayes would’ve counted for $5.5 million against the cap. The Rams then signed Connor Barwin, a surprise release by the Eagles, to a one year, $6.5 million deal. Barwin had five sacks last season and is a better fit for Phillips’ defense.
4 — Signing Robert Woods
After Kenny Britt (Browns) and Brian Quick (Redskins) left in free agency, the Rams suddenly lacked receivers for Goff. So they signed former Bill Robert Woods to a five year, $39 million deal. The Rams clearly overpaid Woods, who had been a career number two receiver in Buffalo. Woods had 51 catches for 613 yards and a touchdown last season. While Woods is only 24, don’t be surprised if the Rams add at least one more receiver in the Draft.
5 — Re-signing Greg Zuerlein
Several once-solid kickers were exposed last season with the new extra point distance. Not Zuerlein, who nailed all of his extra point attempts while missing just three field goals. Zuerlein returns to the Rams on a three year, $6.5 million deal. Alongside punter Johnny Hekker, the Rams have one of the best kicking duos in the league.
