LA Rams Free Agency: Who Stays? Who Goes?

Sheriff Joe Bags | @SheriffJoeBags

The Los Angeles Rams are coming off both a heartbreaking postseason loss, and an incredible season. Running into the Lions in the first round of the postseason will kind of always feel like unfortunate timing, despite Detroit not being able to complete the fairytale season.

With a 10 win season, however, Rams fans have good reason to be optimistic heading into the 2024 offseason where the team currently holds eleven draft picks and sits with over $35 million in cap space with the ability to add even more.

With the first 1st round draft pick since 2016 where the Rams selected QB Jared Goff, the draft is a topic that has taken hold of most Rams social media conversation and with money to spend, free agency is also getting some love, but before both of those events take place, Les Snead and the Rams have some decisions to make with their own roster. Some players who maybe arrived a little late and us fans had no idea that they’d do so well…

In this list, I will give my prediction on each player and whether the Rams keep them around, or let them leave on the open market. We’ll revisit afterwards to see how accurate (or terribly wrong) I was.

QB CARSON WENTZ:

Wentz showed up late and even started and won a game for the Rams against the 49ers to end the season. I will be the first to admit that I was pleasantly surprised at how well Wentz played. That being said… I wasn’t the only person to watch that game and there are plenty of teams right now who could use a quarterback. I am going to say that not only does Carson Wentz not return to the Rams, but that he takes a similar flight plan as a number of the Rams coaches this year and heads off to Atlanta to battle Desmond Ridder.

Verdict: Goes

WR DEMARCUS ROBINSON:

D-Rob ended up being this season what I always thought Van Jefferson could be, but never developed into. With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua coming at a secondary, Robinson being a third just isn’t fair. Maybe I am just being hopeful here, but I like to think that Robinson showed enough to stick around and that maybe this is the best offensive system for him even if it’s just for one more season. What Robinson brings to the Rams offensive scheme with McVay and Stafford holds plenty of value and hopefully we can see what he can do with more experience in the system.

Verdict: Stays

WR AUSTIN TRAMMELL:

Austin Trammell had a few exciting returns, but ultimately it never felt like return time was must see TV. Trammell looked much better running routes with the offense than he ever did returning a kick. Trammell feels like a guy who will stick around and be back on the bubble come cut time.

Verdict: Stays

TE BRYCEN HOPKINS:

This is a difficult prediction. Maybe if Tyler Higbee didn’t enter the offseason with a rough knee injury this decision is easier, but I’m going to say that Hopkins tests the market and finds a new home. This is one that falls under the “I hope not” categories because I have been a fan of Hopkins. This is really a nod of confidence for Davis Allen who showed that he might be the best tight end on the roster right now. I have massive support for Big Rig, but Allen feels like he could be the real deal.

Verdict: Goes

LT AJ JACKSON:

AJ Jackson was the only undrafted player to start at left tackle in the league last year and while he did have a dip in production before the bye, he started and ended the season on a high note. Which also is how the team performed so hard to pin too much on Jackson there. At just 25 years old, AJ Jackson feels like a “MUST HAVE” of this group. Letting AJ Jackson test the market feels like it could be bad news. With some of the cap space the Rams will have opening up, Jackson should be getting a chunk and returning.

Verdict: Stays

S JOHN JOHNSON:

Johnson returned to the Rams and ultimately didn’t have a huge impact on the field, but surely was a great locker room presence. The Rams have some questions at safety and more free agents to think about at this spot. Johnson’s return to the Rams feels like it never got to the levels of awesome that most Rams fans probably expected and it seems like he was brought back to help with such a young roster. A great leader and guy like Johnson makes that an easy choice, but also tells me that it could have been with the understanding it was a short term role. Johnson is the man and I won’t be sad one bit if he returns, but I do feel like he will be able to score a better deal on another team.

Verdict: Goes

S JORDAN FULLER:

Jordan Fuller’s injury history is doing him no favors especially when the conversation is “give me more money to play this game”. I’ve been a very vocal Jordan Fuller supporter and whether that’s with the Rams or elsewhere, I’ll always root for him. At this particular time, I do think the Rams will move on from Fuller. Quentin Lake and Russ Yeast are both capable safeties although I do expect other competition to enter this room heading into camp. It would mean picking a new favorite ‘current’ Ram, but I do think that Fuller leaves (another maybe slated for Atlanta).

Verdict: Goes

RB RONNIE RIVERS:

Rivers has been a fine RB every time he is called on. That makes me think he makes a return, but with the Rams current RB room, this could be an opportunity for Rivers to head to a team he’s got a chance to get more reps on Sundays with. If the team shows trust in Zach Evans to continue progressing, then Rivers could be better served seeing what his interest is on the market. Great guy and underrated back. I’m sure people around the NFL know that though.

Verdict: Goes

LB TROY REEDER:

Troy Reeder is a depth piece who holds value on special teams. If he’s brought back it’s because he’s a good teammate and there is familiarity. The chance in defensive coordinator makes me think Reeder is taking phone calls from other teams this offseason.

Verdict:

Goes

LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM:

Rozeboom finally got a chance to start this season after paying his dues on special teams before. I for one think that the BROzeboom-Jones LB combo is awesome and I’d love to see it again. Boom got better as the season went on and I think it’s worth seeing how he comes back after a full season being a starter.

Verdict: Stays

G KEVIN DOTSON:

Kevin Dotson was a late addition for the Rams and came over in preseason. Not only did he step in as a starter, but he ended up being one of the best guards in the NFL. Dotson helped the Rams have an incredible line all season long and at just 27 years old, he’s got more than enough good years on him to get a strong contract from the Rams. We’ve learned what not paying an offensive line can do, it’s something this front office needs to take serious and we found a good one. Let’s lock him in.

Verdict: Stays

G TREMAYNE ANCHRUM:

This is a difficult prediction. Anchrum is a versatile depth piece who can play all over the line in a pinch and that’s exactly the type of lineman the Rams tend to hang onto. This I think will come down to Achrum and what his camp thinks he can pull elsewhere. This feels like a guy who might test the market but ultimately return and I don’t know how to explain why I feel that way.

Verdict: Goes…. then Stays..

DT LARRELL MURCHISON:

Larrell is an awesome depth piece on the Rams front and for that rotational reason, I really hope he returns. I’m not sure who all expected Kobie Turner to turn into an absolute monster, but that does put a dent in my trust that Murch will return. I’m sticking with it though. I think he bring enough value as a depth piece that the Rams could continue to use his services.

Verdict: Stays

LB MICHAEL HOECHT:

If you judge a fish by it’s ability to climb a tree…. I like Michael Hoecht. I have since he became a Ram, but him being in coverage drove me up a wall. I can’t judge Michael Hoecht by his coverage skills because that’s not what he is. I absolutely blame the scheme for seeing situations where Hoecht is literally in coverage against Davante Adams… Michael Hoecht has both Super Bowl and Rams logo tattoos. ONE OF US. ONE OF US.

Verdict: Stays

DE JONAH WILLIAMS:

Jonah really seemed to shine this season and showed clear cut value in what he can bring as a rotational pass rusher. Jonah Williams is a player I’d love to see return to the Rams, but my Joestradamus crystal ball keeps showing me Jonah Williams in a Falcons uniform. I just can’t shake the feeling that Raheem Morris is going to make his own little Rams East out in Atlanta.

Verdict: Goes

CB AHKELLO WITHERSPOON:

Spoon showed up to the Rams and I didn’t know what to expect. He then started the season on an absolute tear and was full on shutting people down. It seemed like over the course of the season, Ahkello was kind of wavering in taking people out of the game entirely, but was still showing to be the best CB on the team and playing strong football. The experience of Spoon certainly helped the Rams defense this year and the soon to be 29 Witherspoon has plenty of good football left in him. A possible casualty due to DC change, I still think Spoon sticks around.

Verdict: Stays

CB DUKE SHELLEY:

Duke Shelley in pretty limited time showed us why he keeps flirting with the Rams roster. The guy plays well, but feels like he gets buried in depth charts because he isn’t overly flashy. This feels like a guy who also might not return due to a defensive coordinator change. Not that he’s a bad player, but when we are looking at depth, a schematic change might mean those depth pieces get shifted around a bit.

Verdict: Goes

The Rams have some tough decisions to make and also have to keep an eye open on what every other team is doing and who they don’t bring back. The change at Defensive Coordinator as Raheem Morris is off to lead the Atlanta Falcons could mean a lot more changes than we are ready for. With conversations with Ron Rivera, Brandon Staley, and even rumors of Eric Henderson returning still ongoing, we as fans just gotta wait and see how it all shakes out.

Whoever takes over the defense will surely have some preferences on the players that he likes who he may already know can properly run his scheme.

With draft picks and cap space, the Rams have a true opportunity to take a 10-win season and improve upon it. The first and second year players now have a playoff game under their belt. The new defensive coordinator could bring the aggression the Rams have been missing. 2024 should be a fun one.

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