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dzrams

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Ram_Ruler
Do you go for a premium edge guy in the draft/free agency or do you re-sign Fowler and look at more "quality" guys in free agency/draft (like a Jalen Jelks in round 4)? Would you rather see Ogbonnia Okoronkwo before drafting new edge rushers? If the Rams doubled down on their roster / free agents (maybe minus Joyner and Barron) do you think we'd still be good enough for another run?

I've been thinking about this a lot and I have a couple of preferred options.

Both options assume that Suh and Joyner walk and Barron is cut. I agree wholeheartedly with this assumption

Option A

1. Obtain a premier free agent in Clowney or Ford - Both will be expensive but the way Wade builds his defenses, edge pressure is critical. And combining that with Donald will have a synergistic effect. Thus the money spent on the D should reflect that. So there should be no hesitancy to spend money at that position if we find the right guy. I wouldn't sleep on Za'darius Smith from Baltimore.

If Clowney or Ford (who may not fit Spag's new 4/3 D) are not franchised, I would forgo resigning Fowler and spend that money plus a bit more and get a premier pass rusher. Has anyone heard that KC is switching to a 43 for sure? Or are we assuming this on Spags, which makes sense.

2. Draft an edge around the 3rd - If I get a premier pass rusher, that frees up my 1st round pick for BPA. But an edge is still a need.

Obo, the 3rd round draftee, and Ebu will battle to start on the other side.

3. This plan may require some painful trades/cuts such as Brockers. I'd trade him for a 3rd/4th like what we did with Quinn and AO last year. That may be painful, but we've got to solve the edge pressure thing. It's been an issue for 2 years. Brockers underwhelms me in this 34, I have no issues saying goodbye

4. Unfortunately, we probably can't do option A because those guys will be franchise tagged. agreed

Option B

1. Keep Fowler - I think he could be resigned in the $8-9M range which is reasonable.

2. Draft an edge early - If we go with Fowler, who is decent, and don't have a premier pass rusher, I'd use the 1st pick on the best edge guy.

3. No painful cuts/trades required - In this plan we could keep Brockers. I think with cutting Barron, and letting Suh and Joyner walk we could afford to retain our big 3 free agents of Saffold, Fowler, and Littleton without having to sacrifice Brock. Personally, I'd still consider trading Brock if I could get a 3rd and using that money on a vet free agent ILB like Jordan Hicks or a FS like Haha Clinton Dix. I love the idea of Clinton-Dix

4. This option is the most likely because the premier edge defenders will likely not hit free agency. And if we're not getting the top guys, I'd much rather just resign Fowler than take a flyer on some of the other options.I think we are on the same page on this one.