NFL
By: George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams entered free agency looking to strengthen the roster and improve on their 2023 season. The team has been busy resigning key players as well as reaching agreements with free agents during the “legal tampering” period of free agency.
One of the first moves the Rams made this off-season was resigning WR Demarcus Robinson to a 1 year. Robinson played a key role in the Rams 3 receiver formations as he emerged as a playmaker for the team late in the season and is expected to have a bigger role this coming season as the team will place a priority on containing both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. The team has agreed to terms with free agent TE Colby Parkinson to team with Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, and Hunter Long in the TE room.
The play of the offensive line in 2023 exceeded most expectations. Their play improved even more when Kevin Dotson was inserted into the starting lineup during the season. GM Les Snead made resigning Dotson a priority this off-season and was able to bring him back to the club, signing him to a 3-year deal. The Rams strengthened the interior of their offensive line, signing free agent Jonah Jackson from Detroit to a 3-year deal. With Jackson and Dotson expected to be the starting guards on the offensive line, the question that comes up is what will the team do with starting LG Steven Avila. With the Rams needing a center after releasing Brian Allen, it is expected the Rams will move Avila to center, a position he played at the beginning of his career at TCU before being moved to guard. With Jackson, Avila, and Dotson anchoring the interior line, the Rams will be expected to be a more physical team in their running game. This trio should also be expected to provide solid pass protection up the middle for quarterback Matthew Stafford and consistently provide him with a clean pocket.
On the defensive side of the ball, the team has been willing to build through the draft, though they did bring back a familiar face to Rams fans, signing free agent DB Darious Williams to a 3-year deal. The team does have in-house free agents on the defensive side they may look to resign such as DB’s John Johnson and Jordan Fuller. The team still needs to address adding an edge rusher as well as an inside linebacker to play alongside Ernest Jones. They have not been linked to any free agents at this time and may look to fill those spots in the upcoming NFL draft, though Chase Young remains a free agent and could fit in nicely with the Rams defensive line.
Special teams, specifically, kicking was a major concern for the Rams during the 2023 season. The team went through multiple kickers trying to find a suitable replacement after Matt Gay left via free agency before last season. The team will be in search of a new kicker for the upcoming season. The Rams may look to the later rounds of the NFL draft to find their next kicker as the free agent market does appear to be thin.
The Rams have added key free-agent players to their roster that the team believes will improve the team heading into the 2024 season. GM Les Snead will still be active in finding the right players he and Coach Sean McVay believe will be needed to get the Rams back into Super Bowl contention not just for 2024, but for seasons to come.
