[Dare]

I think we will probably be looking at 2 new OTs this coming season. I see the Rams offering Jackson an above average contract (2 years with perhaps a 3rd option year) but I think it will fall short of his expectations of top dollar. So IMO Jackson will move on.

The Rams carried Conor McDermott all year on IR when they could have reached an injury settlement. I think McDermott looks like a bridge candidate for either OT position. McDermott reminds me of Nsekhe back in 2022. An older OT but with gas in his tank. He can play either side and even at OG. At the very least I see Conor replacing Noteboom as a swing OT/OG. I see the Rams drafting at least one OT in the first two days with a second OT on the third day. Curiously the Rams are sticking with Arcuri which is surprising after his disaster starting at LT. Are they going to look at him at RT? That said I think they will look at McClendon whose heavy feet has been exposed at times, and Leveston who has lighter feet but whose forte is more as a run blocker.

Their run defense needs two players. They need a NT/DT and a thumper ILB. Both can be had in FA with two good players. I think they need to resign Greg Gaines who is due to hit the FA market and as speculated in the media, trade for Alex Anzalone from Detroit. Alex is 30 or at least in his early 30's but still playing at a high level. He's far better than Hummel or Rozeboom in both run and pass defense. Anzalone and Speights would allow Shula to move to a base nickel scheme. Gaines is better than anyone the Rams have had at NT/DT since. People don't know but that last crucial 3rd down stop in the SB it was Gaines that made the initial contact on the RB with AD cleaning up.

I think the Rams view Forbes as their first round CB pick for this year. So by extending Witherspoon they are set with their boundary CBs as Shula plays zone where he uses Wallace if he wants a dime. With an ILB like Anzalone Shula can play a nickel as his base with Durant, Witherspoon and Forbes.

At RB I think they will simply stand pat and allow Williams to playout his contract and be a comp pick. That said I can see more of a shift to Corum in the balance of carries. Schrader gives them a better #3 or even #2 if Williams is traded. The Rams need a second round pick and I think Williams can bring them that in a trade.

I think Atwell is allowed to walk as he could bring them a good comp pick and he no longer fits the scheme. What limited role he plays can be handled by Smith who has good speed and returns punts as well.

I see Kupp as trade bait likely with Detroit for Anzalone. Kupp will go to a QB he likes and a legit contender which they owe him as he brought a Lombardi to LA.

TE is a position of need to develop for 2026 and I see them drafting Higbee's replacement this year. I see Parkinson being released, and possibly Long as well. This year they will probably be Higbee, Davis Allen, and a rookie.

The Rams WR room: Robinson (extended), Nacua, Whittington, Smith, Johnson and rookie

I anticipate Hoecht being extended as he is a good rotational edge and a good STs weapon.

Starting QB: Stafford or Garoppolo

In summary:

Veteran acquisitions: Alex Anzalone (trade with Kupp) and Greg Gaines (FA)

Draft:
Priority assuming Williams is traded for a 2nd round pick: QB, LT, ILB, TE

Secondary priority: RT, WR, NT, CB

[Youngblood22]

Just a thought what about Kupp playing tight end? He can block and catch. I would love to see him get into coaching, he's a natural.

[TheDeacon75]

As good as a blocker Kupp is vs cb's and lbs, I think he may get lit up against dlineman when having to block them.

[AvengerRam]

The Oline has the potential to be very different next year. Avila and Dotson are back for sure. The rest are varying degrees of questionable...

Center - the starter is on the roster and signed for 2025. Beaux Limmer has the inside track, though I presume that Jonah Jackson will get a chance to compete.

RT - Rob Havenstein is entering the final year of his contact. He'll be 33 when next season starts. His cap number $11.3M is very reasonable and the savings for letting him go (less than $4M) should not motivate the team to move on from him, so I'm presuming he'll be back.

[Elvis]

Center - the starter is on the roster and signed for 2025. Beaux Limmer has the inside track, though I presume that Jonah Jackson will get a chance to compete.

RT - Rob Havenstein is entering the final year of his contact. He'll be 33 when next season starts. His cap number $11.3M is very reasonable and the savings for letting him go (less than $4M) should not motivate the team to move on from him, so I'm presuming he'll be back.

Limmer seems likely to me too but with Jackson, also seems like they need to trade him or try and get him into the starting lineup. Their original plan for the line got wrecked by injuries, not sure if they'll want to go back to it or ride with Limmer who's been really good and is a great deal on his rookie contract.

McVay and Havs both talked about the possibility of him retiring so that's at least out there...

[actionjack]

Stafford adjusted his contract on the first day of camp last year so could be till July on him...

Sounds like McVay and company dont want to repeat that So I think something gets worked out way ahead of TC.

[Elvis]

Sounds like McVay and company dont want to repeat that So I think something gets worked out way ahead of TC.

Definitely. McVay was clear about that.

[actionjack]

Definitely. McVay was clear about that.

I mean it has to be an integral part of the plan. Without Stafford not much else matters right.
We would have to enter the Darnold sweepstakes..ugh

[Elvis]

Is this the Rams trying to butter up Bobby Brown or jack up his price for his next team?