Not wanting to waste a single second in their quest to close the gap on the Super Bowl champion Seahawks, the Rams aren’t waiting until next week’s opening of free agency to start making moves to improve their roster.
The aggressive tone they’ve set has already reeled in Chiefs Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie, at the primary cost of one of this year’s first-round picks, and re-signed safety Kam Curl and tight end Tyler Higbee.
McDuffie addresses their biggest need, as cornerback evolved into a liability as last season wore on, and Curl solidifies the back end of their defense as a solid all-around safety.
It comes at a cost, of course, with the Rams now expected to sign McDuffie to a new long-term contract extension. With some creative structuring, they can actually lower the $13.6 million cap hit he carries for this season.
If so, they can proceed in free agency with enough cap space to make even more moves.
Here is where things stand on the eve of free agency:
Salary cap space: $29.2 million (before Curl’s new deal)
WR Tutu Atwell, CB Cobie Durant, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, OT D.J. Humphries, CB Roger McCreary, LS Jake McQuaide, TE Nick Vannett, LB Troy Reeder, RB Ronnie Rivers, CB Derion Kendrick
The trade for McDuffie not only fills a need but also represents a significant upgrade from last season. A gifted all-around player who excels in coverage, tackling and blitzing, he can play all over the secondary.
But the Rams still have work to do at cornerback, where Durant’s pending free agency could create a starting hole to fill.
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If Durant leaves, the club could make a run at McDuffie’s former Chiefs teammate, Jaylen Watson, and lift its cornerback room from a liability into a strength.
Other names to keep an eye on are the Raiders’ Eric Stokes, who finally fulfilled the promise of being a Packers first-round pick in 2021, the Saints’ Alontae Taylor or the Seahawks’ Tariq Woolen.
The Rams made some calls on Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, but much like the Raiders’ Maxx Crosby situation, the asking price was too steep.
Clearly, though, the Rams would like to add another weapon to the wide receiver room, where Davante Adams is soon to be 34 years old and going into the last year of his contract, and Puka Nacua could use a running mate in 2026 and beyond.
If you’re thinking big — and the Rams usually do — the Colts’ Alec Pierce is an intriguing option. His ability to stretch the field, as evidenced by the 21.8 yards per catch he’s averaged the last two years, would fit perfectly alongside Nacua and Adams and add a wrinkle to the Rams’ offense that they have been lacking.
Or, they could turn to the Seahawks’ Rashid Shaheed, whose speed, athletic ability and versatility could be utilized in any number of ways in Sean McVay’s offense.
The Rams love Nate Landman, who is etched in stone as one starter. But with their defensive line brimming with talent, and McDuffie adding star power to the secondary, they could make a splash at linebacker to fortify all three levels of their defense.
The Chiefs’ Leo Chenal is a young, in-his-prime player who seems poised for an even bigger role. He’s a run thumper, has grown as a pass rusher and is an elite athlete able to add pass coverage or, when needed, as a quarterback spy.
The Eagles’ Nakobe Dean has dealt with injuries and can sometimes lose focus, but when he’s right, he’s a talented playmaker in all phases of the game. Also, former Steelers and Browns backer Devin Bush is coming off his best season with 125 tackles, and his price tag could be reasonable for a player who seems to have turned the corner.
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